A Few Clues Of A High Functioning Alcoholic (HFA)
While alcohol dependence is a devastating disease that can destroy lives, a few people who struggle with it manage to keep stressful jobs and big responsibilities. From the outside, these so-called high-functioning problem drinkers seem to have it all together. They can drive nice cars, live in good neighborhoods, and make a significant income.
Just because they're high-functioning doesn't mean that they're immune to the effects of alcohol. They're still in danger of hurting themselves and others around them. For instance, a pilot nursing a hangover, a surgeon with trembling hands, or a banker handling large amounts of money are each at-risk of triggering horrendous disasters if they continue on their dysfunctional course.
Listed below are a few signs that can really help in identifying these time bombs:
1. They consume alcohol in place of eating.
Alcoholics will often remove and replace meals with a couple of drinks, lose interest in food altogether, or use mealtime as justification to start drinking.
2. They can wake up without having a hangover, even after a number of drinks.
Consuming alcohol routinely over a substantial period of time can cause the body to become addicted to alcohol. Commonly high-functioning alcoholics successfully drink a good deal without having the same hangover that afflicts the random drinker.
3. Not drinking makes them grouchy, anxious, or uncomfortable.
If an alcoholic is forced to abstain from consuming alcohol, his or her body commonly reacts adversely, as they depend on the sedative effects of alcohol. Sudden quitting can trigger anxiety, uneasiness, perspiration, a rapid heart rate, as well as seizures.
4. Their behavior patterns alter dramatically while under the influence of alcohol.
Problem drinkers may alter significantly when they drink. A generally mild-mannered individual may become aggressive, or make impulsive decisions.
5. They cannot have just two drinks.
An alcoholic has difficulties quiting, and may even finish others' drinks. Booze will never be left on the table, and there is always a pretext for one more round.
6. Time spans of amnesia or "blacking out" are common.
Many alcoholics will participate in activities that they have no memory of the next day. They may not appear extremely intoxicated at the moment, but they're unable to recall activities that happened.
7. Attempts to talk about drinking habits are met with hostility and denial.
When faced with issues surrounding their alcohol consumption, heavy users will typically regress to denial or aggression, making conversation difficult.
8. They always have a good reason for why they drink.
Most alcoholics will have a relatively rational explanation for their behavior if flat denial or hostility is not the opted for mode of evasion. Stress at the workplace, troubles in the home, or an abundance of social events are common excuses to explain their destructive behavior.
9. They hide their alcohol.
Many alcoholics will drink alone, or sneak drinks from a bottle in a desk or in their vehicle. This sort of hidden drinking is an enormous warning and there is no other explanation for their actions other than alcohol addiction.
Let's keep our community productive, safe, and sober by always keeping our eyes open for problematic behavior in order to get these struggling coworkers, family, and friends the assistance they need.
Symptoms of a High Functioning Alcoholic
From the outside, these supposed high-functioning alcoholics appear to have it all together. They can drive cool cars, live in great communities, and make a substantial 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 considerable amounts of money are each at-risk of triggering horrible disasters if they stay on their destructive course.
Just because they're high-functioning doesn't mean that they're immune to the effects of alcohol. They're still in danger of hurting themselves and others around them. For instance, a pilot nursing a hangover, a surgeon with trembling hands, or a banker handling large amounts of money are each at-risk of triggering horrendous disasters if they continue on their dysfunctional course.
Listed below are a few signs that can really help in identifying these time bombs:
1. They consume alcohol in place of eating.
Alcoholics will often remove and replace meals with a couple of drinks, lose interest in food altogether, or use mealtime as justification to start drinking.
2. They can wake up without having a hangover, even after a number of drinks.
Consuming alcohol routinely over a substantial period of time can cause the body to become addicted to alcohol. Commonly high-functioning alcoholics successfully drink a good deal without having the same hangover that afflicts the random drinker.
3. Not drinking makes them grouchy, anxious, or uncomfortable.
If an alcoholic is forced to abstain from consuming alcohol, his or her body commonly reacts adversely, as they depend on the sedative effects of alcohol. Sudden quitting can trigger anxiety, uneasiness, perspiration, a rapid heart rate, as well as seizures.
4. Their behavior patterns alter dramatically while under the influence of alcohol.
Problem drinkers may alter significantly when they drink. A generally mild-mannered individual may become aggressive, or make impulsive decisions.
5. They cannot have just two drinks.
An alcoholic has difficulties quiting, and may even finish others' drinks. Booze will never be left on the table, and there is always a pretext for one more round.
6. Time spans of amnesia or "blacking out" are common.
Many alcoholics will participate in activities that they have no memory of the next day. They may not appear extremely intoxicated at the moment, but they're unable to recall activities that happened.
7. Attempts to talk about drinking habits are met with hostility and denial.
When faced with issues surrounding their alcohol consumption, heavy users will typically regress to denial or aggression, making conversation difficult.
8. They always have a good reason for why they drink.
Most alcoholics will have a relatively rational explanation for their behavior if flat denial or hostility is not the opted for mode of evasion. Stress at the workplace, troubles in the home, or an abundance of social events are common excuses to explain their destructive behavior.
9. They hide their alcohol.
Many alcoholics will drink alone, or sneak drinks from a bottle in a desk or in their vehicle. This sort of hidden drinking is an enormous warning and there is no other explanation for their actions other than alcohol addiction.
Let's keep our community productive, safe, and sober by always keeping our eyes open for problematic behavior in order to get these struggling coworkers, family, and friends the assistance they need.
Symptoms of a High Functioning Alcoholic
From the outside, these supposed high-functioning alcoholics appear to have it all together. They can drive cool cars, live in great communities, and make a substantial 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 considerable amounts of money are each at-risk of triggering horrible disasters if they stay on their destructive course.
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