Several Clues Of A HFA Or High Functioning Alcoholic
While alcoholism is a devastating condition that can ruin lives, some people who struggle with it manage to keep stressful jobs and big responsibilities. From the outside, these so-called high-functioning problem drinkers seem to have it all together. They can drive nice cars, live in good neighborhoods, and make a substantial income.
Just because they're high-functioning does not mean that they're immune to the repercussions of alcohol. They're still at risk of harming themselves and others around them. As an example, a pilot nursing a hangover, a surgeon with unsteady hands, or a banker managing large amounts of money are each at-risk of inducing terrible disasters if they continue on their dysfunctional course.
Below are some clues that can really help in identifying these time bombs:
1. They drink in place 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 start consuming alcohol.
2. They can wake up without a hangover, even after several drinks.
Drinking alcohol regularly over a long period of time can trigger the physical body to become addicted to alcohol. Regularly high-functioning alcoholics manage to drink a lot without the same hangover that afflicts the occasional drinker.
3. Not drinking makes them irritable, anxious, or uncomfortable.
If an alcoholic is forced to abstain from consuming alcohol, his or her body commonly responds negatively, as they depend on the tranquillizing effects of alcohol. Sudden quitting can trigger tension and anxiety, nervousness, perspiration, a quickened heart rate, as well as seizures.
4. Their behavior patterns transform significantly while under the influence of alcohol.
Alcoholics may change dramatically when they drink. A generally mild-mannered person may become aggressive, or make impulsive decisions.
5. They cannot have just two drinks.
A problem drinker has trouble 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 amnesia or "blacking out" are prevalent.
Many problem drinkers will take part in activities that they have no recollection of the next day. They may not appear extremely intoxicated at the time, but they're unable to remember events that occurred.
7. Efforts to discuss drinking habits are met with hostility and denial.
When confronted with issues surrounding their drinking, heavy users will typically regress to denial or hostility, making discussion difficult.
8. They never fail to have a good explanation for why they drink.
If flat denial or hostility is not the chosen mode of evasion, most problem drinkers will have a somewhat reasonable explanation for their actions. Anxiety and stress at the workplace, problems at home, or an abundance of social events are prevalent excuses to explain their damaging behavior.
9. They hide their alcohol.
Many problem drinkers will drink alone, or sneak drinks from a bottle in a workspace or in their vehicle. This kind of covert drinking is a significant red flag and there is no other explanation for their actions other than alcohol addiction.
Let's keep our society productive, safe, and sober by always keeping our eyes open for questionable behavior to get these struggling coworkers, family members, 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 nice cars, live in great neighborhoods, and make a substantial income.
Simply 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 trembling hands, or a banker handling considerable sums of money are each at-risk of causing terrible disasters if they stay on their destructive course.
Just because they're high-functioning does not mean that they're immune to the repercussions of alcohol. They're still at risk of harming themselves and others around them. As an example, a pilot nursing a hangover, a surgeon with unsteady hands, or a banker managing large amounts of money are each at-risk of inducing terrible disasters if they continue on their dysfunctional course.
Below are some clues that can really help in identifying these time bombs:
1. They drink in place 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 start consuming alcohol.
2. They can wake up without a hangover, even after several drinks.
Drinking alcohol regularly over a long period of time can trigger the physical body to become addicted to alcohol. Regularly high-functioning alcoholics manage to drink a lot without the same hangover that afflicts the occasional drinker.
3. Not drinking makes them irritable, anxious, or uncomfortable.
If an alcoholic is forced to abstain from consuming alcohol, his or her body commonly responds negatively, as they depend on the tranquillizing effects of alcohol. Sudden quitting can trigger tension and anxiety, nervousness, perspiration, a quickened heart rate, as well as seizures.
4. Their behavior patterns transform significantly while under the influence of alcohol.
Alcoholics may change dramatically when they drink. A generally mild-mannered person may become aggressive, or make impulsive decisions.
5. They cannot have just two drinks.
A problem drinker has trouble 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 amnesia or "blacking out" are prevalent.
Many problem drinkers will take part in activities that they have no recollection of the next day. They may not appear extremely intoxicated at the time, but they're unable to remember events that occurred.
7. Efforts to discuss drinking habits are met with hostility and denial.
When confronted with issues surrounding their drinking, heavy users will typically regress to denial or hostility, making discussion difficult.
8. They never fail to have a good explanation for why they drink.
If flat denial or hostility is not the chosen mode of evasion, most problem drinkers will have a somewhat reasonable explanation for their actions. Anxiety and stress at the workplace, problems at home, or an abundance of social events are prevalent excuses to explain their damaging behavior.
9. They hide their alcohol.
Many problem drinkers will drink alone, or sneak drinks from a bottle in a workspace or in their vehicle. This kind of covert drinking is a significant red flag and there is no other explanation for their actions other than alcohol addiction.
Let's keep our society productive, safe, and sober by always keeping our eyes open for questionable behavior to get these struggling coworkers, family members, 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 nice cars, live in great neighborhoods, and make a substantial income.
Simply 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 trembling hands, or a banker handling considerable sums of money are each at-risk of causing terrible disasters if they stay on their destructive course.
Replies