Tell Tale Clues Of A High-Functioning-Alcoholic
While alcoholism is a disastrous illness that can ruin lives, a few people who battle with it manage to hold down big responsibilities and stressful jobs. From the outside, these so-called high-functioning alcoholics seem to have it all together. They can drive nice cars, live in great neighborhoods, and make a significant income.
But unfortunately, simply because they are high-functioning does not mean that they're immune to the repercussions of alcohol. They are still at risk of hurting themselves and others around them. A pilot nursing a hangover, a surgeon with shaky hands, or a financier handling large sums of money are each at-risk of causing 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 in place of eating food.
Alcoholics will regularly replace meals with a couple of drinks, lose interest in food completely, or use mealtime as a reason to start consuming alcohol.
2. They can wake up without having a hangover, even after several drinks.
Consuming alcohol regularly over an extended period of time can cause the physical body to become dependent on alcohol. Commonly high-functioning alcoholics manage to drink a good deal without having the same hangover that plagues the random drinker.
3. Abstaining makes them irritable, anxious, or uncomfortable.
If an alcoholic is required to avoid drinking, his or her physical body often reacts negatively, as they depend on the tranquillizing effects of alcohol. Abrupt quitting can cause anxiety, uneasiness, perspiration, a quickened heart rate, as well as seizures.
4. Their behavior patterns transform noticeably while under the influence of booze.
When they drink, problem drinkers may transform noticeably. For example, a generally mild-mannered individual may become belligerent, or make careless choices.
5. They cannot have just two drinks.
An alcoholic has trouble stopping, and may even finish others' drinks. Alcohol will certainly 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 prevalent.
Many problem drinkers will take part in activities that they have no recollection of the following day. They may not appear significantly drunk at the moment, but they're unable to remember activities that took place.
7. Efforts to talk about drinking habits are met with aggression and denial.
When confronted with problems surrounding their drinking, alcoholics will typically retreat to denial or aggression, making discussion difficult.
8. They typically have a good reason for why they drink.
Most alcoholics will have a relatively rational explanation for their behavior if flat denial or aggression is not the opted for method of avoidance. Anxiety and stress at work, troubles at home, or an abundance of social events are common excuses to explain their damaging 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 covert alcohol consumption is a significant warning and there is no other explanation for this behavior aside from alcohol dependence.
Let's try to keep our community productive, safe, and sober by always keeping our eyes open for dubious actions in order to get these struggling colleagues, family, and friends the help they need.
Indications of a High Functioning Alcoholic
From the outside, these supposed high-functioning alcoholics appear to have it all together. They can drive cool cars, live in great communities, and make a substantial income.
Just because they're high-functioning does not mean that they're invulnerable to the effects of alcohol. A pilot nursing a hangover, a surgeon with unsteady hands, or a financier managing considerable amounts of money are each at-risk of triggering terrible disasters if they stay on their destructive path.
But unfortunately, simply because they are high-functioning does not mean that they're immune to the repercussions of alcohol. They are still at risk of hurting themselves and others around them. A pilot nursing a hangover, a surgeon with shaky hands, or a financier handling large sums of money are each at-risk of causing 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 in place of eating food.
Alcoholics will regularly replace meals with a couple of drinks, lose interest in food completely, or use mealtime as a reason to start consuming alcohol.
2. They can wake up without having a hangover, even after several drinks.
Consuming alcohol regularly over an extended period of time can cause the physical body to become dependent on alcohol. Commonly high-functioning alcoholics manage to drink a good deal without having the same hangover that plagues the random drinker.
3. Abstaining makes them irritable, anxious, or uncomfortable.
If an alcoholic is required to avoid drinking, his or her physical body often reacts negatively, as they depend on the tranquillizing effects of alcohol. Abrupt quitting can cause anxiety, uneasiness, perspiration, a quickened heart rate, as well as seizures.
4. Their behavior patterns transform noticeably while under the influence of booze.
When they drink, problem drinkers may transform noticeably. For example, a generally mild-mannered individual may become belligerent, or make careless choices.
5. They cannot have just two drinks.
An alcoholic has trouble stopping, and may even finish others' drinks. Alcohol will certainly 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 prevalent.
Many problem drinkers will take part in activities that they have no recollection of the following day. They may not appear significantly drunk at the moment, but they're unable to remember activities that took place.
7. Efforts to talk about drinking habits are met with aggression and denial.
When confronted with problems surrounding their drinking, alcoholics will typically retreat to denial or aggression, making discussion difficult.
8. They typically have a good reason for why they drink.
Most alcoholics will have a relatively rational explanation for their behavior if flat denial or aggression is not the opted for method of avoidance. Anxiety and stress at work, troubles at home, or an abundance of social events are common excuses to explain their damaging 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 covert alcohol consumption is a significant warning and there is no other explanation for this behavior aside from alcohol dependence.
Let's try to keep our community productive, safe, and sober by always keeping our eyes open for dubious actions in order to get these struggling colleagues, family, and friends the help they need.
Indications of a High Functioning Alcoholic
From the outside, these supposed high-functioning alcoholics appear to have it all together. They can drive cool cars, live in great communities, and make a substantial income.
Just because they're high-functioning does not mean that they're invulnerable to the effects of alcohol. A pilot nursing a hangover, a surgeon with unsteady hands, or a financier managing considerable amounts of money are each at-risk of triggering terrible disasters if they stay on their destructive path.
Replies