Several Signs Of A High Functioning Alcoholic (HFA)
While alcohol dependence is a devastating condition that can ruin lives, a few people who struggle with it manage to hold down big responsibilities and stressful jobs. From the outside, these so-called high-functioning problem drinkers seem to have it all together. They can drive great cars, live in great neighborhoods, and make a substantial income.
Simply because they're high-functioning doesn't mean that they're immune to the repercussions of alcohol. They're still at risk of hurting themselves and others around them. For instance, a pilot nursing a hangover, a surgeon with trembling hands, or a financier managing large amounts of money are each at-risk of causing horrible disasters if they remain on their dysfunctional path.
Here are a number of clues that can help in recognizing these time bombs:
1. They consume alcohol instead of eating.
Problem drinkers will often remove and replace meals with a few drinks, lose interest in food altogether, or use mealtime as justification to start drinking.
2. They can get out of bed without having a hangover, even after a number of drinks.
Consuming alcohol routinely over a substantial period of time can cause the body to become addicted to alcohol. Regularly high-functioning alcoholic s manage to drink a great deal without having the same hangover that afflicts the not habitual drinker.
3. Not drinking makes them cranky, jittery, or uncomfortable.
If an alcoholic is required to abstain from consuming alcohol, his or her physical body commonly reciprocates negatively, as they are dependent on the tranquillizing effects of alcohol. Abrupt quitting can induce tension and anxiety, uneasiness, sweating, a quickened heart rate, and even seizures.
4. Their behavior patterns alter dramatically while under the influence of alcohol.
Problem drinkers may transform noticeably when they drink. For instance, a generally mild-mannered individual may become aggressive, or make impetuous decisions.
5. They cannot have just two drinks.
An alcoholic has difficulties 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. Periods of amnesia or "blacking out" are prevalent.
Many problem drinkers will participate in activities that they have no recollection of the next day. They may not seem significantly drunk at the time, but they're not able to remember events that occurred.
7. Attempts to talk about drinking habits are met with hostility and denial.
When confronted with matters involving their alcohol consumption, alcoholics will typically retreat to denial or aggression, making a dialogue difficult.
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8. They always have a good reason for why they drink.
If flat denial or aggression is not the chosen mode of avoidance, most problem drinkers will have a somewhat rational explanation for their actions. Anxiety and stress at work, problems at home, or an abundance of social activities are common excuses to explain their destructive behavior.
9. They conceal their alcohol.
Many problem drinkers will drink alone, or sneak drinks from a bottle in a workspace or in their car. This sort of hidden drinking is a significant warning and there is no other explanation for their actions aside from alcohol addiction .
Let's try to keep our world productive, safe, and sober by keeping our eyes open for questionable actions in order to get these struggling colleagues, family, and friends the help they need.
Symptoms of a High Functioning Alcoholic
From the outside, these supposed 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 invulnerable to the repercussions of alcohol. A pilot nursing a hangover, a surgeon with trembling hands, or a banker handling substantial amounts of money are each at-risk of causing terrible disasters if they stay on their destructive path.
Simply because they're high-functioning doesn't mean that they're immune to the repercussions of alcohol. They're still at risk of hurting themselves and others around them. For instance, a pilot nursing a hangover, a surgeon with trembling hands, or a financier managing large amounts of money are each at-risk of causing horrible disasters if they remain on their dysfunctional path.
Here are a number of clues that can help in recognizing these time bombs:
1. They consume alcohol instead of eating.
Problem drinkers will often remove and replace meals with a few drinks, lose interest in food altogether, or use mealtime as justification to start drinking.
2. They can get out of bed without having a hangover, even after a number of drinks.
Consuming alcohol routinely over a substantial period of time can cause the body to become addicted to alcohol. Regularly high-functioning alcoholic s manage to drink a great deal without having the same hangover that afflicts the not habitual drinker.
3. Not drinking makes them cranky, jittery, or uncomfortable.
If an alcoholic is required to abstain from consuming alcohol, his or her physical body commonly reciprocates negatively, as they are dependent on the tranquillizing effects of alcohol. Abrupt quitting can induce tension and anxiety, uneasiness, sweating, a quickened heart rate, and even seizures.
4. Their behavior patterns alter dramatically while under the influence of alcohol.
Problem drinkers may transform noticeably when they drink. For instance, a generally mild-mannered individual may become aggressive, or make impetuous decisions.
5. They cannot have just two drinks.
An alcoholic has difficulties 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. Periods of amnesia or "blacking out" are prevalent.
Many problem drinkers will participate in activities that they have no recollection of the next day. They may not seem significantly drunk at the time, but they're not able to remember events that occurred.
7. Attempts to talk about drinking habits are met with hostility and denial.
When confronted with matters involving their alcohol consumption, alcoholics will typically retreat to denial or aggression, making a dialogue difficult.
http://ragingalcoholic.com
8. They always have a good reason for why they drink.
If flat denial or aggression is not the chosen mode of avoidance, most problem drinkers will have a somewhat rational explanation for their actions. Anxiety and stress at work, problems at home, or an abundance of social activities are common excuses to explain their destructive behavior.
9. They conceal their alcohol.
Many problem drinkers will drink alone, or sneak drinks from a bottle in a workspace or in their car. This sort of hidden drinking is a significant warning and there is no other explanation for their actions aside from alcohol addiction .
Let's try to keep our world productive, safe, and sober by keeping our eyes open for questionable actions in order to get these struggling colleagues, family, and friends the help they need.
Symptoms of a High Functioning Alcoholic
From the outside, these supposed 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 invulnerable to the repercussions of alcohol. A pilot nursing a hangover, a surgeon with trembling hands, or a banker handling substantial amounts of money are each at-risk of causing terrible disasters if they stay on their destructive path.
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