Common Signs Of A HFA Or High Functioning Alcoholic

While alcohol dependence is a devastating condition 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 great communities, and make a significant income.

Simply because they're high-functioning does not mean that they're immune to the effects of alcohol. They are still in danger of harming themselves and others around them. For instance, a pilot nursing a hangover, a surgeon with trembling hands, or a financier handling large amounts of money are each at-risk of causing terrible disasters if they continue on their dysfunctional course.

Below are some signs that can really help in identifying these time bombs:

1. They drink rather than eating food.

Problem drinkers will commonly remove and replace meals with a few drinks, lose interest in food completely, or use mealtime as a reason to begin consuming alcohol.

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

Drinking alcohol regularly over an extended period of time can trigger the physical body to become addicted to alcohol. Commonly high-functioning alcoholic s manage to drink a great deal without the same hangover that torments the occasional drinker.

3. Abstaining makes them grouchy, anxious, or uncomfortable.

If an alcoholic is forced to abstain from drinking , his or her body commonly responds negatively, as they depend on the sedative effects of alcohol. Abrupt quitting can trigger tension and anxiety, uneasiness, sweating, a quickened heart rate, and even seizures.

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

When they drink, problem drinkers may transform significantly. For example, a generally mild-mannered individual may become aggressive, or make careless choices.

5. They cannot have just two drinks.

A problem drinker has difficulties quiting, and may even finish others' drinks. Alcohol 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 take part in activities that they have no recollection of the next day. They may not seem significantly drunk at the moment, but they're not able to remember activities that occurred.
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7. Efforts to talk about drinking habits are met with aggression and denial.

When faced with problems surrounding their drinking , heavy users will typically regress to denial or aggression, making conversation hard.

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

Most alcoholic s will have a seemingly rational explanation for their behavior if flat denial or hostility is not the chosen method of evasion. Stress and anxiety at work, problems at home, or an abundance of social events are common reasons to explain their damaging behavior.

9. They conceal their alcohol.

Many alcoholics will drink alone, or sneak drinks from a bottle in a desk or in their car. This type of hidden drinking is a tremendous warning and there is no other explanation for this behavior apart from alcohol addiction .

Let's try to keep alcoholism , safe, and sober by keeping our eyes open for problematic behavior in order to get these struggling coworkers, family members, and neighbors the assistance they need.

Indications of a High Functioning Alcoholic

From the outside, these supposed high-functioning alcoholics seem to have it all together. They can drive cool 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 effects of alcohol. A pilot nursing a hangover, a surgeon with unsteady hands, or a banker managing considerable amounts of money are each at-risk of triggering horrible disasters if they stay on their destructive course.