A Few Signs Of A High-Functioning-Alcoholic
While alcoholism is a disastrous illness that can destroy lives, a few people who battle with it manage to keep stressful jobs and big responsibilities. From the outside, these so-called high-functioning alcoholics seem to have it all together. They can drive great cars, live in great neighborhoods, and make a substantial income.
Simply because they're high-functioning does not mean that they're immune to the repercussions of alcohol. They are still at risk of harming themselves and others around them. For instance, a pilot nursing a hangover, a surgeon with unsteady hands, or a financier managing large sums of money are each at-risk of triggering horrible disasters if they remain on their dysfunctional course.
Here are a few warning signs that can help in identifying these time bombs:
1. They drink instead of eating.
Sometimes human beings use alcohol because of stress and anxiety
Alcoholics will often replace meals with a few drinks, lose interest in food altogether, or use mealtime as an excuse to begin drinking.
2. They can wake up without having a hangover, even after numerous drinks.
Drinking alcohol routinely over a substantial period of time can cause the body to become dependent on alcohol. Commonly high-functioning alcoholics are able to drink a lot without the same hangover that plagues the not habitual drinker.
3. Abstaining makes them cranky, anxious, or uncomfortable.
If an alcoholic is forced to abstain from consuming alcohol, his or her body often reacts negatively, as they depend on the tranquillizing effects of alcohol. Sudden quitting can trigger tension and anxiety, nervousness, perspiration, a rapid heart rate, and even seizures.
4. Their behavior patterns alter significantly while under the influence of alcohol.
When they drink, problem drinkers may alter dramatically. A generally mild-mannered person may become aggressive, or make careless choices.
5. They can't have just two drinks.
A problem drinker has a problem quiting, and may even finish others' drinks. Booze will never be left on the table, and there is always an excuse for one more round.
6. Time spans of memory loss or "blacking out" are common.
Many problem drinkers will participate in activities that they have no memory of the next day. They may not seem significantly intoxicated at the time, but they're unable to recall activities that occurred.
7. Attempts to talk about drinking behavior are met with hostility and denial.
When confronted with issues surrounding their drinking, alcohol abusers will generally regress to denial or hostility, making a dialogue difficult.
8. They never fail to have a good explanation for why they drink.
Most alcoholics will have a seemingly rational explanation for their behavior if flat denial or hostility is not the chosen mode of evasion. Anxiety and stress at the workplace, troubles in the home, or an abundance of social activities are prevalent reasons to explain their destructive behavior.
9. They conceal their alcohol.
Many alcoholics will drink alone, or sneak drinks from a bottle in a workspace or in their vehicle. This type of covert drinking is a tremendous red flag 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, and neighbors the help they need.
Symptoms of a High Functioning Alcoholic
From the outside, these so-called high-functioning alcoholics appear to have it all together. They can drive cool cars, live in great neighborhoods, and make a significant income.
Just because they're high-functioning doesn't mean that they're invulnerable to the repercussions of alcohol. A pilot nursing a hangover, a surgeon with shaky hands, or a banker managing substantial sums of money are each at-risk of causing horrible disasters if they stay on their destructive path.
Simply because they're high-functioning does not mean that they're immune to the repercussions of alcohol. They are still at risk of harming themselves and others around them. For instance, a pilot nursing a hangover, a surgeon with unsteady hands, or a financier managing large sums of money are each at-risk of triggering horrible disasters if they remain on their dysfunctional course.
Here are a few warning signs that can help in identifying these time bombs:
1. They drink instead of eating.
Sometimes human beings use alcohol because of stress and anxiety
Alcoholics will often replace meals with a few drinks, lose interest in food altogether, or use mealtime as an excuse to begin drinking.
2. They can wake up without having a hangover, even after numerous drinks.
Drinking alcohol routinely over a substantial period of time can cause the body to become dependent on alcohol. Commonly high-functioning alcoholics are able to drink a lot without the same hangover that plagues the not habitual drinker.
3. Abstaining makes them cranky, anxious, or uncomfortable.
If an alcoholic is forced to abstain from consuming alcohol, his or her body often reacts negatively, as they depend on the tranquillizing effects of alcohol. Sudden quitting can trigger tension and anxiety, nervousness, perspiration, a rapid heart rate, and even seizures.
4. Their behavior patterns alter significantly while under the influence of alcohol.
When they drink, problem drinkers may alter dramatically. A generally mild-mannered person may become aggressive, or make careless choices.
5. They can't have just two drinks.
A problem drinker has a problem quiting, and may even finish others' drinks. Booze will never be left on the table, and there is always an excuse for one more round.
6. Time spans of memory loss or "blacking out" are common.
Many problem drinkers will participate in activities that they have no memory of the next day. They may not seem significantly intoxicated at the time, but they're unable to recall activities that occurred.
7. Attempts to talk about drinking behavior are met with hostility and denial.
When confronted with issues surrounding their drinking, alcohol abusers will generally regress to denial or hostility, making a dialogue difficult.
8. They never fail to have a good explanation for why they drink.
Most alcoholics will have a seemingly rational explanation for their behavior if flat denial or hostility is not the chosen mode of evasion. Anxiety and stress at the workplace, troubles in the home, or an abundance of social activities are prevalent reasons to explain their destructive behavior.
9. They conceal their alcohol.
Many alcoholics will drink alone, or sneak drinks from a bottle in a workspace or in their vehicle. This type of covert drinking is a tremendous red flag 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, and neighbors the help they need.
Symptoms of a High Functioning Alcoholic
From the outside, these so-called high-functioning alcoholics appear to have it all together. They can drive cool cars, live in great neighborhoods, and make a significant income.
Just because they're high-functioning doesn't mean that they're invulnerable to the repercussions of alcohol. A pilot nursing a hangover, a surgeon with shaky hands, or a banker managing substantial sums of money are each at-risk of causing horrible disasters if they stay on their destructive path.
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