A Few Clues Of A High Functioning Alcoholic (HFA)
While alcohol dependence is a disastrous illness that can destroy lives, a number of people who struggle with it manage to keep big responsibilities and stressful jobs. From the outside, these so-called high-functioning alcohol ic s seem to have it all together. They can drive nice cars, live in great communities, and make a significant income.
Simply because they're high-functioning does not mean that they're immune to the effects of alcohol. They are still in danger of hurting themselves and others around them. A pilot nursing a hangover, a surgeon with shaky hands, or a financier managing large sums of money are each at-risk of causing horrendous disasters if they stay on their dysfunctional path.
Here are a few warning signs that can help in identifying these time bombs:
1. They consume alcohol in place of eating.
Alcoholics will regularly remove and replace meals with a few drinks, lose interest in food altogether, or use mealtime as an excuse to start consuming alcohol.
2. They can get out of bed without having a hangover, even after numerous drinks.
Drinking alcohol routinely over a long period of time can induce the physical body to become addicted to alcohol. Often high-functioning alcoholics successfully drink a great deal without the same hangover that plagues the occasional drinker.
3. Not drinking makes them cranky, nervous, or uncomfortable.
If an alcoholic is required to avoid consuming alcohol, his or her body regularly reciprocates adversely, as they depend on the tranquillizing effects of alcohol. Abrupt quitting can trigger anxiety, nervousness, sweating, a rapid heart rate, and even seizures.
4. Their behavior patterns transform significantly while under the influence of booze.
Alcoholics may transform noticeably when they drink. For example, a typically mild-mannered individual may become belligerent, or make impetuous decisions.
5. They cannot have just two drinks.
An alcoholism -9">alcoholic has difficulties quiting, and may even finish others' drinks. Alcohol will certainly never be left on the table, and there is always an excuse for one more round.
6. Time spans of amnesia or "blacking out" are typical.
Many problem drinkers will participate in activities that they have no memory of the next day. They may not seem extremely intoxicated at the moment, but they're not able to remember events that occurred.
7. Attempts to discuss drinking habits are met with hostility and denial.
When confronted with matters involving their alcohol consumption, alcohol abusers will typically retreat to denial or hostility, making conversation difficult.
8. They typically have a good explanation for why they drink.
Most alcoholics will have a relatively rational explanation for their behavior if flat denial or hostility is not the chosen method of evasion. Stress and anxiety at work, problems in the home, or an abundance of social activities are common excuses to explain their damaging behavior.
9. They conceal their alcohol.
Many problem drinkers will drink alone, or sneak drinks from a bottle in a workspace or in their car. This type of hidden drinking is an enormous warning and there is no other explanation for this behavior apart from alcoholism .
Let's keep our community productive, safe, and sober by always keeping our eyes open for dubious behavior in order to get these troubled coworkers, family members, and neighbors the assistance they need.
Symptoms of a High Functioning Alcoholic
From the outside, these supposed high-functioning alcohol ics seem to have it all together. They can drive cool cars, live in great communities, and make a significant income.
Just because they're high-functioning does not mean that they're invulnerable to the repercussions of alcohol. A pilot nursing a hangover, a surgeon with unsteady hands, or a financier handling substantial sums of money are each at-risk of inducing horrible disasters if they stay on their destructive course.
Simply because they're high-functioning does not mean that they're immune to the effects of alcohol. They are still in danger of hurting themselves and others around them. A pilot nursing a hangover, a surgeon with shaky hands, or a financier managing large sums of money are each at-risk of causing horrendous disasters if they stay on their dysfunctional path.
Here are a few warning signs that can help in identifying these time bombs:
1. They consume alcohol in place of eating.
Alcoholics will regularly remove and replace meals with a few drinks, lose interest in food altogether, or use mealtime as an excuse to start consuming alcohol.
2. They can get out of bed without having a hangover, even after numerous drinks.
Drinking alcohol routinely over a long period of time can induce the physical body to become addicted to alcohol. Often high-functioning alcoholics successfully drink a great deal without the same hangover that plagues the occasional drinker.
3. Not drinking makes them cranky, nervous, or uncomfortable.
If an alcoholic is required to avoid consuming alcohol, his or her body regularly reciprocates adversely, as they depend on the tranquillizing effects of alcohol. Abrupt quitting can trigger anxiety, nervousness, sweating, a rapid heart rate, and even seizures.
4. Their behavior patterns transform significantly while under the influence of booze.
Alcoholics may transform noticeably when they drink. For example, a typically mild-mannered individual may become belligerent, or make impetuous decisions.
5. They cannot have just two drinks.
An alcoholism -9">alcoholic has difficulties quiting, and may even finish others' drinks. Alcohol will certainly never be left on the table, and there is always an excuse for one more round.
6. Time spans of amnesia or "blacking out" are typical.
Many problem drinkers will participate in activities that they have no memory of the next day. They may not seem extremely intoxicated at the moment, but they're not able to remember events that occurred.
7. Attempts to discuss drinking habits are met with hostility and denial.
When confronted with matters involving their alcohol consumption, alcohol abusers will typically retreat to denial or hostility, making conversation difficult.
8. They typically have a good explanation for why they drink.
Most alcoholics will have a relatively rational explanation for their behavior if flat denial or hostility is not the chosen method of evasion. Stress and anxiety at work, problems in the home, or an abundance of social activities are common excuses to explain their damaging behavior.
9. They conceal their alcohol.
Many problem drinkers will drink alone, or sneak drinks from a bottle in a workspace or in their car. This type of hidden drinking is an enormous warning and there is no other explanation for this behavior apart from alcoholism .
Let's keep our community productive, safe, and sober by always keeping our eyes open for dubious behavior in order to get these troubled coworkers, family members, and neighbors the assistance they need.
Symptoms of a High Functioning Alcoholic
From the outside, these supposed high-functioning alcohol ics seem to have it all together. They can drive cool cars, live in great communities, and make a significant income.
Just because they're high-functioning does not mean that they're invulnerable to the repercussions of alcohol. A pilot nursing a hangover, a surgeon with unsteady hands, or a financier handling substantial sums of money are each at-risk of inducing horrible disasters if they stay on their destructive course.
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