Common Signs Of A High Functioning Alcoholic (HFA)
While alcoholism is a disastrous condition that can ruin lives, a few 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 nice cars, live in good communities, and make a significant income.
Just because they're high-functioning doesn't mean that they're immune to the repercussions of alcohol. They're still in danger of hurting themselves and others around them. For example, a pilot nursing a hangover, a surgeon with shaky hands, or a banker managing large sums of money are each at-risk of causing horrendous disasters if they stay on their dysfunctional path.
Below are some clues that can really help in identifying these time bombs:
1. They consume alcohol instead of eating.
Problem drinkers will regularly replace meals with a few drinks, lose interest in food altogether, or use mealtime as an excuse to start consuming alcohol.
2. They can wake up without a hangover, even after numerous drinks.
Drinking drinking ">alcohol routinely over an extended period of time can induce the physical body to become addicted to alcohol. Often high-functioning alcoholics successfully drink a lot without the same hangover that afflicts the random drinker.
3. Not drinking makes them cranky, jittery, or uncomfortable.
If an alcohol ic is required to avoid drinking, his or her physical body often responds adversely, as they depend on the sedative effects of alcohol. Sudden quitting can induce anxiety, nervousness, sweating, a rapid heart rate, and even seizures.
4. Their behavior patterns change dramatically while under the influence of booze.
Alcoholics may transform noticeably when they drink. For instance, a generally pleasant individual may become aggressive, or make impulsive choices.
5. They can't have just two drinks.
An alcoholic has difficulties stopping, and may even finish others' drinks. Booze will certainly never be left on the table, and there is always an excuse for one more round.
6. Time spans of amnesia or "blacking out" are common.
Many problem drinkers will take part in activities that they have no recollection of the following day. They may not appear significantly intoxicated at the time, but they're unable to recall events that happened.
7. Efforts to discuss drinking behavior are met with aggression and denial.
When confronted with problems surrounding their alcohol consumption, alcoholics will generally retreat to denial or aggression, making discussion hard.
8. They typically have a good reason for why they drink.
Most alcoholics will have a relatively rational explanation for their behavior if flat denial or aggression is not the chosen method of evasion. Stress at work, troubles at home, or an abundance of social activities are common excuses to explain their destructive behavior.
9. They hide their alcohol.
Many alcoholics will drink alone, or sneak drinks from a bottle in a workspace or in their car. This kind of hidden drinking is a significant red flag and there is no other explanation for this behavior aside from alcoholism .
Let's try to keep our community productive, safe, and sober by keeping our eyes open for problematic actions in order to get these struggling coworkers, family members, and friends the assistance they need.
Signs 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 neighborhoods, and make a significant income.
Simply because they're high-functioning doesn't mean that they're immune to the effects of alcohol. A pilot nursing a hangover, a surgeon with trembling hands, or a financier managing substantial sums of money are each at-risk of triggering terrible disasters if they stay on their destructive course.
Just because they're high-functioning doesn't mean that they're immune to the repercussions of alcohol. They're still in danger of hurting themselves and others around them. For example, a pilot nursing a hangover, a surgeon with shaky hands, or a banker managing large sums of money are each at-risk of causing horrendous disasters if they stay on their dysfunctional path.
Below are some clues that can really help in identifying these time bombs:
1. They consume alcohol instead of eating.
Problem drinkers will regularly replace meals with a few drinks, lose interest in food altogether, or use mealtime as an excuse to start consuming alcohol.
2. They can wake up without a hangover, even after numerous drinks.
Drinking drinking ">alcohol routinely over an extended period of time can induce the physical body to become addicted to alcohol. Often high-functioning alcoholics successfully drink a lot without the same hangover that afflicts the random drinker.
3. Not drinking makes them cranky, jittery, or uncomfortable.
If an alcohol ic is required to avoid drinking, his or her physical body often responds adversely, as they depend on the sedative effects of alcohol. Sudden quitting can induce anxiety, nervousness, sweating, a rapid heart rate, and even seizures.
4. Their behavior patterns change dramatically while under the influence of booze.
Alcoholics may transform noticeably when they drink. For instance, a generally pleasant individual may become aggressive, or make impulsive choices.
5. They can't have just two drinks.
An alcoholic has difficulties stopping, and may even finish others' drinks. Booze will certainly never be left on the table, and there is always an excuse for one more round.
6. Time spans of amnesia or "blacking out" are common.
Many problem drinkers will take part in activities that they have no recollection of the following day. They may not appear significantly intoxicated at the time, but they're unable to recall events that happened.
7. Efforts to discuss drinking behavior are met with aggression and denial.
When confronted with problems surrounding their alcohol consumption, alcoholics will generally retreat to denial or aggression, making discussion hard.
8. They typically have a good reason for why they drink.
Most alcoholics will have a relatively rational explanation for their behavior if flat denial or aggression is not the chosen method of evasion. Stress at work, troubles at home, or an abundance of social activities are common excuses to explain their destructive behavior.
9. They hide their alcohol.
Many alcoholics will drink alone, or sneak drinks from a bottle in a workspace or in their car. This kind of hidden drinking is a significant red flag and there is no other explanation for this behavior aside from alcoholism .
Let's try to keep our community productive, safe, and sober by keeping our eyes open for problematic actions in order to get these struggling coworkers, family members, and friends the assistance they need.
Signs 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 neighborhoods, and make a significant income.
Simply because they're high-functioning doesn't mean that they're immune to the effects of alcohol. A pilot nursing a hangover, a surgeon with trembling hands, or a financier managing substantial sums of money are each at-risk of triggering terrible disasters if they stay on their destructive course.
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