Common Indications Of A High Functioning Alcoholic (HFA)
While alcoholism is a disastrous condition that can destroy lives, some people who struggle with it manage to hold down 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.
But unfortunately, just because they're high-functioning does not mean that they are immune to the effects of alcohol. They're still in danger of hurting themselves and others around them. For example, a pilot nursing a hangover, a surgeon with unsteady hands, or a financier managing large sums of money are each at-risk of causing terrible disasters if they remain on their dysfunctional path.
Listed below are a few clues that can help in identifying these time bombs:
1. They consume alcohol instead of eating.
Sometimes get panic and anxiety attacks from drinking
Alcoholics will commonly replace meals with a few drinks, lose interest in food altogether, or use mealtime as a reason to begin drinking.
2. They can get out of bed without having a hangover, even after numerous drinks.
Consuming alcohol regularly over an extended period of time can induce the body to become addicted to alcohol. Commonly high-functioning alcoholics successfully drink a great deal without the same hangover that plagues the random drinker.
3. Abstaining makes them cranky, nervous, or uncomfortable.
If an alcoholic is forced to avoid drinking, his or her body often reacts adversely, as they depend on the sedative effects of alcohol. abuse quitting can trigger anxiety, uneasiness, sweating, a rapid heart rate, as well as seizures.
4. abuse change significantly while under the influence of alcohol.
When they drink, problem drinkers may transform dramatically. A typically mild-mannered person may become aggressive, or make impulsive decisions.
5. They cannot have just two drinks.
An alcoholic has trouble stopping, 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 memory loss or "blacking out" are typical.
Many problem drinkers will take part in activities that they have no recollection of the following day. They may not seem extremely drunk at the moment, but they're unable to recall activities that happened.
7. Attempts to talk about drinking habits are met with aggression and denial.
When faced with abuse involving their drinking, heavy users will typically regress to denial or hostility, making discussion difficult.
8. They typically have a good reason for why they drink.
Most problem drinkers will have a relatively rational explanation for their behavior if flat denial or hostility is not the opted for mode of evasion. Stress and anxiety at work, troubles in the home, or an abundance of social events are common excuses to explain their destructive behavior.
9. They conceal their alcohol.
Many problem drinkers will drink alone, or sneak drinks from a bottle in a desk or in their vehicle. This type of covert drinking is an enormous warning and there is no other explanation for this behavior other than alcohol addiction ">addiction .
Let's try to keep our community productive, safe, and sober by always keeping our eyes open for questionable behavior in order to get these struggling colleagues, family, and neighbors the help they need.
Indications 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 communities, and make a significant income.
Just because they're high-functioning does not mean that they're invulnerable to the effects of alcohol. A pilot nursing a hangover, a surgeon with shaky hands, or a financier handling large sums of money are each at-risk of inducing horrendous disasters if they stay on their destructive path.
But unfortunately, just because they're high-functioning does not mean that they are immune to the effects of alcohol. They're still in danger of hurting themselves and others around them. For example, a pilot nursing a hangover, a surgeon with unsteady hands, or a financier managing large sums of money are each at-risk of causing terrible disasters if they remain on their dysfunctional path.
Listed below are a few clues that can help in identifying these time bombs:
1. They consume alcohol instead of eating.
Sometimes get panic and anxiety attacks from drinking
Alcoholics will commonly replace meals with a few drinks, lose interest in food altogether, or use mealtime as a reason to begin drinking.
2. They can get out of bed without having a hangover, even after numerous drinks.
Consuming alcohol regularly over an extended period of time can induce the body to become addicted to alcohol. Commonly high-functioning alcoholics successfully drink a great deal without the same hangover that plagues the random drinker.
3. Abstaining makes them cranky, nervous, or uncomfortable.
If an alcoholic is forced to avoid drinking, his or her body often reacts adversely, as they depend on the sedative effects of alcohol. abuse quitting can trigger anxiety, uneasiness, sweating, a rapid heart rate, as well as seizures.
4. abuse change significantly while under the influence of alcohol.
When they drink, problem drinkers may transform dramatically. A typically mild-mannered person may become aggressive, or make impulsive decisions.
5. They cannot have just two drinks.
An alcoholic has trouble stopping, 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 memory loss or "blacking out" are typical.
Many problem drinkers will take part in activities that they have no recollection of the following day. They may not seem extremely drunk at the moment, but they're unable to recall activities that happened.
7. Attempts to talk about drinking habits are met with aggression and denial.
When faced with abuse involving their drinking, heavy users will typically regress to denial or hostility, making discussion difficult.
8. They typically have a good reason for why they drink.
Most problem drinkers will have a relatively rational explanation for their behavior if flat denial or hostility is not the opted for mode of evasion. Stress and anxiety at work, troubles in the home, or an abundance of social events are common excuses to explain their destructive behavior.
9. They conceal their alcohol.
Many problem drinkers will drink alone, or sneak drinks from a bottle in a desk or in their vehicle. This type of covert drinking is an enormous warning and there is no other explanation for this behavior other than alcohol addiction ">addiction .
Let's try to keep our community productive, safe, and sober by always keeping our eyes open for questionable behavior in order to get these struggling colleagues, family, and neighbors the help they need.
Indications 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 communities, and make a significant income.
Just because they're high-functioning does not mean that they're invulnerable to the effects of alcohol. A pilot nursing a hangover, a surgeon with shaky hands, or a financier handling large sums of money are each at-risk of inducing horrendous disasters if they stay on their destructive path.
Replies