Several Indications Of A High Functioning Alcoholic (HFA)
While alcohol dependence is a devastating disease that can destroy lives, a few people who battle with it manage to hold down 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 great neighborhoods, 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 at risk of harming themselves and others around them. For example, a pilot nursing a hangover, a surgeon with shaky hands, or a financier handling large sums of money are each at-risk of inducing terrible disasters if they remain on their dysfunctional path.
Here are a number of clues that can really help in identifying these time bombs:
1. They drink instead of eating food.
Alcoholics will commonly remove and replace meals with a few drinks, lose interest in food altogether, 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 a long period of time can cause the physical body to become dependent on alcohol. Commonly high-functioning alcoholics are able to drink a great deal without having the same hangover that afflicts the random drinker.
3. Abstaining makes them grouchy, jittery, or uncomfortable.
If an alcoholic is forced to abstain from drinking , his or her physical body regularly responds adversely, as they are dependent on the sedative effects of alcohol. Abrupt quitting can cause anxiety, uneasiness, perspiration, a quickened heart rate, and even seizures.
4. Their behavior patterns change noticeably while under the influence of alcohol.
Alcoholics may alter noticeably when they drink. For instance, a typically mild-mannered person may become belligerent, or make careless choices.
5. They can't have just two drinks.
An alcoholic has trouble 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. Periods of memory loss or "blacking out" are prevalent.
Many problem drinkers will take part in activities that they have no memory of the following day. They may not appear significantly intoxicated at the time, but they're unable to recall activities that took place.
7. Attempts to discuss drinking behavior are met with hostility and denial.
When faced with problems involving their drinking, alcohol abuse rs will generally retreat to denial or aggression, making conversation hard.
8. They typically have a good reason for why they drink.
Most alcoholics will have a seemingly rational explanation for their behavior if flat denial or aggression is not the chosen method of avoidance. Anxiety and stress at the workplace, problems at home, or an abundance of social events are prevalent reasons 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 hidden alcohol consumption is a tremendous red flag and there is no other explanation for their actions aside from alcoholism .
want to clear up a nagging question: . . . http://ragingalcoholic.com
Let's keep our community productive, safe, and sober by always keeping our eyes open for dubious actions in order to get these troubled coworkers, family, and neighbors the assistance they need.
Indications of a High Functioning Alcoholic
From the outside, these supposed high-functioning alcoholics appear to have it all together. They can drive nice cars, live in great neighborhoods, and make a substantial 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 financier handling large sums of money are each at-risk of causing terrible disasters if they stay on their destructive path.
Simply because they're high-functioning does not mean that they're immune to the effects of alcohol. They are still at risk of harming themselves and others around them. For example, a pilot nursing a hangover, a surgeon with shaky hands, or a financier handling large sums of money are each at-risk of inducing terrible disasters if they remain on their dysfunctional path.
Here are a number of clues that can really help in identifying these time bombs:
1. They drink instead of eating food.
Alcoholics will commonly remove and replace meals with a few drinks, lose interest in food altogether, 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 a long period of time can cause the physical body to become dependent on alcohol. Commonly high-functioning alcoholics are able to drink a great deal without having the same hangover that afflicts the random drinker.
3. Abstaining makes them grouchy, jittery, or uncomfortable.
If an alcoholic is forced to abstain from drinking , his or her physical body regularly responds adversely, as they are dependent on the sedative effects of alcohol. Abrupt quitting can cause anxiety, uneasiness, perspiration, a quickened heart rate, and even seizures.
4. Their behavior patterns change noticeably while under the influence of alcohol.
Alcoholics may alter noticeably when they drink. For instance, a typically mild-mannered person may become belligerent, or make careless choices.
5. They can't have just two drinks.
An alcoholic has trouble 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. Periods of memory loss or "blacking out" are prevalent.
Many problem drinkers will take part in activities that they have no memory of the following day. They may not appear significantly intoxicated at the time, but they're unable to recall activities that took place.
7. Attempts to discuss drinking behavior are met with hostility and denial.
When faced with problems involving their drinking, alcohol abuse rs will generally retreat to denial or aggression, making conversation hard.
8. They typically have a good reason for why they drink.
Most alcoholics will have a seemingly rational explanation for their behavior if flat denial or aggression is not the chosen method of avoidance. Anxiety and stress at the workplace, problems at home, or an abundance of social events are prevalent reasons 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 hidden alcohol consumption is a tremendous red flag and there is no other explanation for their actions aside from alcoholism .
want to clear up a nagging question: . . . http://ragingalcoholic.com
Let's keep our community productive, safe, and sober by always keeping our eyes open for dubious actions in order to get these troubled coworkers, family, and neighbors the assistance they need.
Indications of a High Functioning Alcoholic
From the outside, these supposed high-functioning alcoholics appear to have it all together. They can drive nice cars, live in great neighborhoods, and make a substantial 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 financier handling large sums of money are each at-risk of causing terrible disasters if they stay on their destructive path.
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