A Few Signs Of A High Functioning Alcoholic

While alcoholism is a disastrous illness that can ruin 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 alcoholics seem to have it all together. They can drive great cars, live in good communities, and make a substantial income.

Simply because they're high-functioning doesn't mean that they're immune to the repercussions of alcohol. They're still at risk of hurting themselves and others around them. For example, a pilot nursing a hangover, a surgeon with unsteady hands, or a financier handling large sums of money are each at-risk of inducing horrible disasters if they remain on their dysfunctional path.

Listed below are a few clues that can really help in recognizing these time bombs:

1. They drink instead of eating food.

Problem drinkers will commonly remove and replace meals with a couple of drinks, lose interest in food completely, or use mealtime as a reason to begin drinking -a-gamble-for-teens-3824610">drinking .

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

Consuming alcohol routinely over a substantial period of time can induce the body to become dependent on alcohol. Commonly high-functioning alcoholics are able to drink a good deal without having the same hangover that torments the random drinker.

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

If an alcoholic is forced to abstain from consuming alcohol, his or her body commonly reacts adversely, as they depend on the tranquillizing effects of alcohol. Sudden quitting can induce tension and anxiety, nervousness, sweating, a quickened heart rate, and even seizures.

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

When they drink, alcoholics may change significantly. For example, a typically pleasant person may become aggressive, or make impetuous decisions.

5. They cannot have just two drinks.

A problem drinker has trouble stopping, and may even finish others' drinks. Booze will certainly never be left on the table, and there is always a pretext for one more round.

6. Periods of memory loss or "blacking out" are common.

Many alcoholics will participate in activities that they have no memory of the next day. They may not seem significantly drunk at the time, but they're not able to recall activities that took place.

7. Efforts to talk about drinking behavior are met with hostility and denial.

When faced with problems involving their alcohol consumption, alcohol abusers will generally regress to denial or aggression, making a dialogue difficult.

8. They always have a good reason for why they drink.

If flat denial or aggression is not the opted for method of avoidance, most alcoholics will have a somewhat rational explanation for their actions. Anxiety and stress at the workplace, problems at home, or an abundance of social activities are prevalent excuses to explain their destructive behavior.

9. They conceal their alcohol.

social-issues-victorian_society-temperance_movement-drink-alcohol-alcoholism-csl1305_low.jpg
Many alcoholics will drink alone, or sneak drinks from a bottle in a workspace or in their vehicle. This type of hidden drinking -2856552">drinking is a significant red flag and there is no other explanation for their actions apart from alcoholism .

Let's keep our community productive, safe, and sober by keeping our eyes open for dubious behavior to get these troubled colleagues, family members, and friends the help they need.

Signs 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 significant income.

Just because they're high-functioning does not mean that they're immune to the effects of alcohol. A pilot nursing a hangover, a surgeon with trembling hands, or a banker handling large sums of money are each at-risk of causing horrible disasters if they stay on their destructive path.