Several Indications Of A High Functioning Alcoholic (HFA)
While alcohol dependence is a devastating condition that can destroy lives, a few 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 nice cars, live in great neighborhoods, 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. A pilot nursing a hangover, a surgeon with unsteady hands, or a financier managing large sums of money are each at-risk of inducing horrible disasters if they stay on their dysfunctional course.
Here are a number of clues that can help in identifying these time bombs:
1. They consume alcohol rather than eating.
Alcoholics will commonly remove and replace meals with a couple of drinks, lose interest in food completely, or use mealtime as an excuse to start consuming alcohol.
2. They can wake up without a hangover, even after several drinks.
Consuming alcohol regularly over a long period of time can trigger the body to become addicted to alcohol. Commonly high-functioning alcoholics successfully drink a lot without the same hangover that tortures the random drinker.
3. Not drinking makes them cranky, nervous, or uncomfortable.
If alcohol dependence is forced to abstain from drinking, his or her body commonly reacts adversely, as they are dependent on the sedative effects of alcohol. Abrupt quitting can trigger anxiety, nervousness, sweating, a quickened heart rate, as well as seizures.
4. Their behavior patterns alter dramatically while under the influence of booze.
Problem drinkers may alter noticeably when they drink. For example, a generally mild-mannered individual may become aggressive, or make impulsive choices.
5. They can't have just two drinks.
An alcoholic has difficulties quiting, and may even finish others' drinks. Alcohol 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 typical.
Many alcoholics will participate in activities that they have no memory of the following day. They may not appear extremely intoxicated at the moment, but they're not able to remember events that happened.
7. Attempts to talk about drinking behavior are met with hostility and denial.
When faced with matters involving their drinking, heavy users will generally regress to denial or aggression, making a dialogue hard.
8. They never fail to have a good explanation for why they drink.
If flat denial or hostility is not the opted for mode of avoidance, most alcoholics will have a somewhat rational explanation for their behavior. Anxiety and stress at work, troubles at home, or an abundance of social activities are prevalent excuses to explain their damaging behavior.
9. They hide their alcohol.
Many alcoholics will drink alone, or sneak drinks from a bottle in a desk or in their car. This kind of hidden drinking is a significant red flag and there is no other explanation for their actions apart from alcohol addiction .
Let's keep our society productive, safe, and sober by keeping our eyes open for questionable actions to get these struggling coworkers, family members, and neighbors the assistance 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 significant income.
Just because they're high-functioning doesn't mean that they're immune to the repercussions of alcohol. A pilot nursing a hangover, a surgeon with trembling hands, or a banker managing large amounts of money are each at-risk of causing horrible disasters if they stay on their destructive path.
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. A pilot nursing a hangover, a surgeon with unsteady hands, or a financier managing large sums of money are each at-risk of inducing horrible disasters if they stay on their dysfunctional course.
Here are a number of clues that can help in identifying these time bombs:
1. They consume alcohol rather than eating.
Alcoholics will commonly remove and replace meals with a couple of drinks, lose interest in food completely, or use mealtime as an excuse to start consuming alcohol.
2. They can wake up without a hangover, even after several drinks.
Consuming alcohol regularly over a long period of time can trigger the body to become addicted to alcohol. Commonly high-functioning alcoholics successfully drink a lot without the same hangover that tortures the random drinker.
3. Not drinking makes them cranky, nervous, or uncomfortable.
If alcohol dependence is forced to abstain from drinking, his or her body commonly reacts adversely, as they are dependent on the sedative effects of alcohol. Abrupt quitting can trigger anxiety, nervousness, sweating, a quickened heart rate, as well as seizures.
4. Their behavior patterns alter dramatically while under the influence of booze.
Problem drinkers may alter noticeably when they drink. For example, a generally mild-mannered individual may become aggressive, or make impulsive choices.
5. They can't have just two drinks.
An alcoholic has difficulties quiting, and may even finish others' drinks. Alcohol 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 typical.
Many alcoholics will participate in activities that they have no memory of the following day. They may not appear extremely intoxicated at the moment, but they're not able to remember events that happened.
7. Attempts to talk about drinking behavior are met with hostility and denial.
When faced with matters involving their drinking, heavy users will generally regress to denial or aggression, making a dialogue hard.
8. They never fail to have a good explanation for why they drink.
If flat denial or hostility is not the opted for mode of avoidance, most alcoholics will have a somewhat rational explanation for their behavior. Anxiety and stress at work, troubles at home, or an abundance of social activities are prevalent excuses to explain their damaging behavior.
9. They hide their alcohol.
Many alcoholics will drink alone, or sneak drinks from a bottle in a desk or in their car. This kind of hidden drinking is a significant red flag and there is no other explanation for their actions apart from alcohol addiction .
Let's keep our society productive, safe, and sober by keeping our eyes open for questionable actions to get these struggling coworkers, family members, and neighbors the assistance 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 significant income.
Just because they're high-functioning doesn't mean that they're immune to the repercussions of alcohol. A pilot nursing a hangover, a surgeon with trembling hands, or a banker managing large amounts of money are each at-risk of causing horrible disasters if they stay on their destructive path.
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