Some Signs Of A High-Functioning-Alcoholic
While alcohol dependence is a devastating illness that can ruin 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 alcoholics seem to have it all together. They can drive great cars, live in great neighborhoods, and make a substantial income.
However, simply because they're high-functioning does not mean that they are immune to the repercussions of alcohol. They're still in danger of harming themselves and others around them. A pilot nursing a hangover, a surgeon with trembling hands, or a banker handling large sums of money are each at-risk of inducing horrible disasters if they stay on their dysfunctional course.
Here are a number of warning signs that can really help in recognizing these time bombs:
1. They consume alcohol rather than eating.
Problem drinkers will often replace meals with a few drinks, lose interest in food altogether, or use mealtime as a reason to begin 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. Often high-functioning alcoholics successfully drink a lot without having the same hangover that plagues the random drinker.
3. Abstaining makes them grouchy, jittery, or uncomfortable.
If an alcoholic is forced to avoid consuming alcohol, his or her physical body regularly reciprocates negatively, as they depend on the tranquillizing effects of alcohol. Abrupt quitting can induce anxiety, nervousness, sweating, a quickened heart rate, and even seizures.
4. Their behavior patterns transform dramatically while under the influence of booze.
When they drink, problem drinkers may change dramatically. A generally mild-mannered person may become aggressive, or make impulsive choices.
5. They cannot have just two drinks.
A problem drinker 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 memory loss or "blacking out" are common.
Many problem drinkers will take part in activities that they have no recollection of the next day. They may not appear extremely drunk at the moment, but they're unable to remember events that took place.
7. Attempts to talk about drinking behavior are met with hostility and denial.
When confronted with problems involving their drinking, heavy users will typically retreat to denial or hostility, making conversation difficult.
8. They typically have a good reason for why they drink.
Most problem drinkers will have a relatively rational explanation for their actions if flat denial or hostility is not the chosen mode of avoidance. Stress at the workplace, problems in the home, or an abundance of social events 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 desk or in their vehicle. This kind of covert drinking is a significant warning and there is no other explanation for their actions other than alcohol addict ion .
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 assistance they need.
Symptoms of a High Functioning Alcoholic
From the outside, these so-called high-functioning alcoholism .html">alcoholic s appear to have it all together. They can drive nice cars, live in great communities, and make a substantial income.
Just 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 shaky hands, or a financier handling large amounts of money are each at-risk of causing horrible disasters if they stay on their destructive path.
However, simply because they're high-functioning does not mean that they are immune to the repercussions of alcohol. They're still in danger of harming themselves and others around them. A pilot nursing a hangover, a surgeon with trembling hands, or a banker handling large sums of money are each at-risk of inducing horrible disasters if they stay on their dysfunctional course.
Here are a number of warning signs that can really help in recognizing these time bombs:
1. They consume alcohol rather than eating.
Problem drinkers will often replace meals with a few drinks, lose interest in food altogether, or use mealtime as a reason to begin 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. Often high-functioning alcoholics successfully drink a lot without having the same hangover that plagues the random drinker.
3. Abstaining makes them grouchy, jittery, or uncomfortable.
If an alcoholic is forced to avoid consuming alcohol, his or her physical body regularly reciprocates negatively, as they depend on the tranquillizing effects of alcohol. Abrupt quitting can induce anxiety, nervousness, sweating, a quickened heart rate, and even seizures.
4. Their behavior patterns transform dramatically while under the influence of booze.
When they drink, problem drinkers may change dramatically. A generally mild-mannered person may become aggressive, or make impulsive choices.
5. They cannot have just two drinks.
A problem drinker 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 memory loss or "blacking out" are common.
Many problem drinkers will take part in activities that they have no recollection of the next day. They may not appear extremely drunk at the moment, but they're unable to remember events that took place.
7. Attempts to talk about drinking behavior are met with hostility and denial.
When confronted with problems involving their drinking, heavy users will typically retreat to denial or hostility, making conversation difficult.
8. They typically have a good reason for why they drink.
Most problem drinkers will have a relatively rational explanation for their actions if flat denial or hostility is not the chosen mode of avoidance. Stress at the workplace, problems in the home, or an abundance of social events 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 desk or in their vehicle. This kind of covert drinking is a significant warning and there is no other explanation for their actions other than alcohol addict ion .
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 assistance they need.
Symptoms of a High Functioning Alcoholic
From the outside, these so-called high-functioning alcoholism .html">alcoholic s appear to have it all together. They can drive nice cars, live in great communities, and make a substantial income.
Just 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 shaky hands, or a financier handling large amounts of money are each at-risk of causing horrible disasters if they stay on their destructive path.
Replies