Tell Tale Clues Of A HFA Or High Functioning Alcoholic
While alcoholism is a devastating condition that can destroy lives, a few people who struggle with it manage to keep big responsibilities and stressful jobs. From the outside, these so-called high-functioning alcoholics seem to have it all together. They can drive great cars, live in good communities, and make a substantial income.
Just because they're high-functioning doesn't mean that they're immune to the effects of alcohol. They are still in danger of harming themselves and others around them. For example, a pilot nursing a hangover, a surgeon with shaky hands, or a financier handling large amounts of money are each at-risk of causing terrible disasters if they stay on their dysfunctional path.
Below are some signs that can really help in identifying these time bombs:
1. They drink instead of eating food.
Alcoholics will often replace meals with a few drinks, lose interest in food completely, or use mealtime as an excuse to begin consuming alcohol.
2. They can get out of bed without having a hangover, even after a number of drinks.
Consuming alcohol regularly over a long period of time can induce the body to become dependent on alcohol. Regularly high-functioning alcoholics manage to drink a good deal without the same hangover that tortures the not habitual drinker.
3. Abstaining makes them grouchy, jittery, or uncomfortable.
If an alcoholic is required to avoid drinking, his or her physical body often reciprocates negatively, as they are dependent on the sedative effects of alcohol. Abrupt quitting can cause anxiety, nervousness, perspiration, a quickened heart rate, and even seizures.
4. Their behavior patterns transform noticeably while under the influence of alcohol.
Problem drinkers may alter noticeably when they drink. For example, a generally pleasant person may become belligerent, or make careless choices.
5. They cannot have just two drinks.
An alcoholic has a problem stopping, and may even finish others' drinks. Alcohol will never be left on the table, and there is always an excuse for one more round.
6. Time spans of memory loss or "blacking out" are common.
Many alcoholics will participate in activities that they have no recollection of the following day. They may not appear significantly drunk at the time, but they're not able to remember events that occurred.
7. Attempts to talk about drinking behavior are met with hostility and denial.
When faced with issues involving their drinking, alcoholics will generally regress to denial or hostility, making a dialogue hard.
8. They typically have a good reason for why they drink.
If flat denial or aggression is not the chosen method of avoidance, most alcoholics will have a seemingly rational explanation for their actions. Stress at work, troubles at home, or an abundance of social events are prevalent reasons to explain their damaging behavior.
9. They hide 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 drinking is an enormous red flag and there is no other explanation for this behavior 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 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 neighborhoods, 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 banker handling large amounts of money are each at-risk of triggering horrendous disasters if they stay on their destructive path.
Just because they're high-functioning doesn't mean that they're immune to the effects of alcohol. They are still in danger of harming themselves and others around them. For example, a pilot nursing a hangover, a surgeon with shaky hands, or a financier handling large amounts of money are each at-risk of causing terrible disasters if they stay on their dysfunctional path.
Below are some signs that can really help in identifying these time bombs:
1. They drink instead of eating food.
Alcoholics will often replace meals with a few drinks, lose interest in food completely, or use mealtime as an excuse to begin consuming alcohol.
2. They can get out of bed without having a hangover, even after a number of drinks.
Consuming alcohol regularly over a long period of time can induce the body to become dependent on alcohol. Regularly high-functioning alcoholics manage to drink a good deal without the same hangover that tortures the not habitual drinker.
3. Abstaining makes them grouchy, jittery, or uncomfortable.
If an alcoholic is required to avoid drinking, his or her physical body often reciprocates negatively, as they are dependent on the sedative effects of alcohol. Abrupt quitting can cause anxiety, nervousness, perspiration, a quickened heart rate, and even seizures.
4. Their behavior patterns transform noticeably while under the influence of alcohol.
Problem drinkers may alter noticeably when they drink. For example, a generally pleasant person may become belligerent, or make careless choices.
5. They cannot have just two drinks.
An alcoholic has a problem stopping, and may even finish others' drinks. Alcohol will never be left on the table, and there is always an excuse for one more round.
6. Time spans of memory loss or "blacking out" are common.
Many alcoholics will participate in activities that they have no recollection of the following day. They may not appear significantly drunk at the time, but they're not able to remember events that occurred.
7. Attempts to talk about drinking behavior are met with hostility and denial.
When faced with issues involving their drinking, alcoholics will generally regress to denial or hostility, making a dialogue hard.
8. They typically have a good reason for why they drink.
If flat denial or aggression is not the chosen method of avoidance, most alcoholics will have a seemingly rational explanation for their actions. Stress at work, troubles at home, or an abundance of social events are prevalent reasons to explain their damaging behavior.
9. They hide 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 drinking is an enormous red flag and there is no other explanation for this behavior 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 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 neighborhoods, 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 banker handling large amounts of money are each at-risk of triggering horrendous disasters if they stay on their destructive path.
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