A Few Indications Of A High-Functioning-Alcoholic

While alcoholism is a devastating disease that can ruin lives, a few people who struggle with it manage to hold down big responsibilities and stressful jobs. From the outside, these so-called high-functioning alcoholics seem to have it all together. They can drive great cars, live in great communities, and make a significant income.

Simply because symptoms -functioning doesn't mean that they're immune to the repercussions of alcohol. They are still in danger of hurting themselves and others around them. For example, a pilot nursing a hangover, a surgeon with trembling hands, or a financier managing large amounts of money are each at-risk of causing horrible disasters if they stay on their dysfunctional path.

Listed below are some signs that can help in recognizing these time bombs:

1. They consume alcohol rather than eating.

Problem drinkers will regularly replace meals with a couple of drinks, lose interest in food altogether, or use mealtime as justification to start consuming alcohol.

2. They can get out of bed without having a hangover, even after several drinks.

Drinking alcohol regularly over a long period of time can induce the physical body to become addicted to alcohol. Regularly high-functioning alcoholics manage to drink a good deal without having the same hangover that plagues the occasional drinker.

3. Abstaining makes them cranky, jittery, or uncomfortable.

If an alcoholic is required to avoid consuming alcohol, his or her body commonly reacts negatively, as they are dependent on the tranquillizing effects of alcohol. Abrupt quitting can induce anxiety, uneasiness, perspiration, a rapid heart rate, as well as seizures.

4. Their behavior patterns transform significantly while under the influence of alcohol.

Alcoholics may change significantly when they drink. For example, a generally pleasant individual may become belligerent, or make impulsive decisions.

5. They cannot have just two drinks.

prince-albert-sask-may-30-2014-prince-albert-has-two-al.jpeg?quality=60&strip=all&w=840&h=630&crop=1
An alcoholic has a problem stopping, and may even finish others' drinks. Alcohol will certainly 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 following 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 involving their alcohol consumption, heavy users will typically retreat to denial or hostility, making conversation difficult.

8. They never fail to have a good reason for why they drink.

If flat denial or aggression is not the chosen method of avoidance, most alcoholics will have a seemingly rational explanation for their actions. Stress at work, problems in the home, or an abundance of social events are common excuses to explain their damaging behavior.

9. They hide their alcohol.

Many problem drinkers will drink alone, or sneak drinks from a bottle in a workspace or in their vehicle. This kind of hidden drinking is a significant red flag and there is no other explanation for their actions aside from alcoholism .

Let's keep our community productive, safe, and sober by keeping our eyes open for questionable actions to get these struggling coworkers, family members, and friends the assistance they need.

Symptoms of a High Functioning Alcoholic

From the outside, these so-called high-functioning alcoholics 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 doesn't mean that they're immune to the repercussions of alcohol. A pilot nursing a hangover, a surgeon with shaky hands, or a financier handling substantial amounts of money are each at-risk of inducing horrible disasters if they stay on their destructive path.