Some Clues Of A HFA Or High Functioning Alcoholic
While alcohol dependence is a disastrous disease that can ruin lives, a number of people who battle with it manage to hold down big responsibilities and stressful jobs. From the outside, these so-called high-functioning alcoholic s seem to have it all together. They can drive nice cars, live in good 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 at risk of hurting themselves and others around them. For instance, a pilot nursing a hangover, a surgeon with unsteady hands, or a banker managing large sums of money are each at-risk of causing terrible disasters if they remain on their dysfunctional course.
Below are a number of clues that can really help in recognizing these time bombs:
1. They consume alcohol instead of eating.
Problem drinkers will often remove and replace meals with a couple of drinks, lose interest in food completely, or use mealtime as a reason to begin consuming alcohol.
2. They can wake up without having a hangover, even after several drinks.
Drinking alcohol routinely over a long period of time can trigger the physical body to become dependent on alcohol. Often high-functioning alcoholics manage to drink a good deal without having the same hangover that afflicts the not habitual drinker.
3. Not drinking makes them irritable, anxious, or uncomfortable.
If an alcoholic is required to abstain from consuming alcohol, his or her physical body often reciprocates negatively, as they are dependent on the sedative effects of alcohol. Sudden quitting can trigger tension and anxiety, nervousness, perspiration, a quickened heart rate, and even seizures.
4. Their behavior patterns alter noticeably while under the influence of booze.
Problem drinkers may change noticeably when they drink. A generally mild-mannered person may become aggressive, or make impulsive choices.
5. They can't have just two drinks.
A problem drinker has difficulties quiting, and may even finish others' drinks. Alcohol will certainly never be left on the table, and there is always a pretext for one more round.
6. Periods of amnesia or "blacking out" are prevalent.
Many alcoholics will take part in activities that they have no memory of the following day. They may not appear extremely intoxicated at the moment, but they're unable to remember activities that happened.
7. Attempts to discuss drinking behavior are met with hostility and denial.
When confronted with matters surrounding their drinking, heavy users will typically retreat to denial or aggression, making discussion hard.
8. They never fail to have a good reason for why they drink.
If flat denial or aggression is not the opted for mode of avoidance, most alcoholics will have a seemingly reasonable explanation for their behavior. Stress at work, problems in the home, or an abundance of social functions 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 vehicle. This kind of hidden drinking is a significant red flag and there is no other explanation for their actions other than alcoholism.
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 coworkers, family members, and neighbors the help they need.
Symptoms of a High Functioning Alcoholic
From the outside, these so-called high-functioning alcoholics seem to have it all together. They can drive cool cars, live in great communities, 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 unsteady hands, or a banker managing substantial sums of money are each at-risk of triggering terrible 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 at risk of hurting themselves and others around them. For instance, a pilot nursing a hangover, a surgeon with unsteady hands, or a banker managing large sums of money are each at-risk of causing terrible disasters if they remain on their dysfunctional course.
Below are a number of clues that can really help in recognizing these time bombs:
1. They consume alcohol instead of eating.
Problem drinkers will often remove and replace meals with a couple of drinks, lose interest in food completely, or use mealtime as a reason to begin consuming alcohol.
2. They can wake up without having a hangover, even after several drinks.
Drinking alcohol routinely over a long period of time can trigger the physical body to become dependent on alcohol. Often high-functioning alcoholics manage to drink a good deal without having the same hangover that afflicts the not habitual drinker.
3. Not drinking makes them irritable, anxious, or uncomfortable.
If an alcoholic is required to abstain from consuming alcohol, his or her physical body often reciprocates negatively, as they are dependent on the sedative effects of alcohol. Sudden quitting can trigger tension and anxiety, nervousness, perspiration, a quickened heart rate, and even seizures.
4. Their behavior patterns alter noticeably while under the influence of booze.
Problem drinkers may change noticeably when they drink. A generally mild-mannered person may become aggressive, or make impulsive choices.
5. They can't have just two drinks.
A problem drinker has difficulties quiting, and may even finish others' drinks. Alcohol will certainly never be left on the table, and there is always a pretext for one more round.
6. Periods of amnesia or "blacking out" are prevalent.
Many alcoholics will take part in activities that they have no memory of the following day. They may not appear extremely intoxicated at the moment, but they're unable to remember activities that happened.
7. Attempts to discuss drinking behavior are met with hostility and denial.
When confronted with matters surrounding their drinking, heavy users will typically retreat to denial or aggression, making discussion hard.
8. They never fail to have a good reason for why they drink.
If flat denial or aggression is not the opted for mode of avoidance, most alcoholics will have a seemingly reasonable explanation for their behavior. Stress at work, problems in the home, or an abundance of social functions 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 vehicle. This kind of hidden drinking is a significant red flag and there is no other explanation for their actions other than alcoholism.
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 coworkers, family members, and neighbors the help they need.
Symptoms of a High Functioning Alcoholic
From the outside, these so-called high-functioning alcoholics seem to have it all together. They can drive cool cars, live in great communities, 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 unsteady hands, or a banker managing substantial sums of money are each at-risk of triggering terrible disasters if they stay on their destructive path.
Replies