Tell Tale Clues Of A HFA Or High Functioning Alcoholic

While alcohol dependence is a devastating disease that can ruin lives, a few people who battle with it manage to keep stressful jobs and big responsibilities. From the outside, these so-called high-functioning problem drinkers seem to have it all together. They can drive great cars, live in good neighborhoods, and make a substantial income.

However, just because they're high-functioning doesn't mean that they are immune to the repercussions of alcohol. They are still at risk 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 triggering horrendous disasters if they stay on their dysfunctional path.

Listed below are some warning signs that can help in identifying these time bombs:

1. They consume alcohol rather than eating.

Alcoholics will commonly replace meals with a few drinks, lose interest in food altogether, or use mealtime as justification to start drinking .
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2. They can get out of bed without a hangover, even after several drinks.

Drinking alcohol regularly over a substantial period of time can induce the body to become addicted to alcohol. Often high-functioning alcoholics are able to drink a lot without having the same hangover that tortures the random drinker.

3. Abstaining makes them irritable, anxious, or uncomfortable.

If an alcoholic is forced to avoid drinking, his or her body commonly reciprocates adversely, as they are dependent on the tranquillizing effects of alcohol. Abrupt quitting can induce tension and anxiety, nervousness, perspiration, a rapid heart rate, as well as seizures.

4. Their behavior patterns alter significantly while under the influence of alcohol.

Problem drinkers may change significantly when they drink. For example, a typically mild-mannered person may become belligerent, or make impulsive decisions.

5. They can't have just two drinks.

A problem drinker has difficulties stopping, 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 common.

Many alcoholics will take part in activities that they have no recollection of the following day. They may not appear extremely drunk at the moment, but they're not able to recall events that took place.

7. Attempts to discuss drinking behavior are met with hostility and denial.

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When confronted with problems surrounding their drinking , heavy users will typically regress to denial or hostility, making conversation hard.

8. They never fail to have a good explanation for why they drink.

If flat denial or aggression is not the chosen method of avoidance, most alcoholics will have a seemingly reasonable explanation for their behavior. Anxiety and stress at work, troubles at home, or an abundance of social activities are typical excuses to explain their destructive 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 alcohol consumption is an enormous warning and there is no other explanation for their actions aside from alcoholism .

Let's try to keep our society productive, safe, and sober by keeping our eyes open for questionable actions in order to get these troubled colleagues, family members, and friends the help they need.

Indications of a High Functioning Alcoholic

From the outside, these so-called high-functioning alcoholics appear to have it all together. They can drive cool cars, live in great communities, and make a substantial income.

Simply 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 substantial sums of money are each at-risk of inducing horrendous disasters if they stay on their destructive path.