Tell Tale Clues Of A High Functioning Alcoholic
While alcoholism is a disastrous illness that can ruin lives, a number of 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 nice cars, live in good communities, and make a significant income.
Simply because they're high-functioning doesn't mean that they're immune to the repercussions of alcohol. They're still in danger of hurting themselves and others around them. For example, a pilot nursing a hangover, a surgeon with shaky hands, or a financier handling large sums of money are each at-risk of inducing terrible disasters if they stay on their dysfunctional path.
Here are some signs that can really help in identifying these time bombs:
1. They drink instead of eating food.
Alcoholics will often remove and replace meals with a few drinks, lose interest in food altogether, or use mealtime as an excuse to start drinking.
2. They can wake up without a hangover, even after a number of drinks.
Consuming alcohol routinely over a substantial period of time can trigger the body to become dependent on alcohol. Often high-functioning alcoholics successfully drink a great deal without the same hangover that tortures the random drinker.
3. Abstaining makes them irritable, nervous, or uncomfortable.
If an alcoholic is required to abstain from drinking, his or her body regularly responds adversely, as they depend on the sedative effects of alcohol. Sudden quitting can trigger anxiety, nervousness, perspiration, a rapid heart rate, as well as seizures.
4. Their behavior patterns transform significantly while under the influence of booze.
When they drink, problem drinkers may transform dramatically. A generally mild-mannered person may become aggressive, or make impulsive choices.
5. They can't have just two drinks.
A problem drinker has a problem quiting, and may even finish others' drinks. Alcohol will never be left on the table, and there is always a pretext for one more round.
6. Periods of memory loss or "blacking out" are common.
Many alcoholics will participate in activities that they have no memory of the next day. They may not seem significantly intoxicated at the moment, but they're unable to recall events that occurred.
7. Attempts to discuss drinking habits are met with hostility and denial.
When confronted with problems surrounding their drinking , heavy users will typically regress to denial or aggression, making a dialogue difficult.
8. They typically have a good reason for why they drink.
If flat denial or hostility is not the chosen method of evasion, most problem drinkers will have a somewhat reasonable explanation for their actions. Anxiety and stress at work, troubles in the home, or an abundance of social events are typical excuses to explain their destructive behavior.
9. They hide their alcohol.
Many problem drinkers will drink alone, or sneak drinks from a bottle in a workspace or in their car. This kind of covert drinking is a tremendous warning and there is no other explanation for this behavior other than alcohol dependence.
Let's try to keep our community productive, safe, and sober by always keeping our eyes open for problematic actions in order to get these struggling coworkers, family, and neighbors the help they need.
Symptoms of a High Functioning Alcoholic
From the outside, these so-called high-functioning alcoholic s 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 invulnerable to the effects of alcohol. A pilot nursing a hangover, a surgeon with unsteady hands, or a financier handling substantial amounts of money are each at-risk of inducing horrendous disasters if they stay on their destructive path.
Simply because they're high-functioning doesn't mean that they're immune to the repercussions of alcohol. They're still in danger of hurting themselves and others around them. For example, a pilot nursing a hangover, a surgeon with shaky hands, or a financier handling large sums of money are each at-risk of inducing terrible disasters if they stay on their dysfunctional path.
Here are some signs that can really help in identifying these time bombs:
1. They drink instead of eating food.
Alcoholics will often remove and replace meals with a few drinks, lose interest in food altogether, or use mealtime as an excuse to start drinking.
2. They can wake up without a hangover, even after a number of drinks.
Consuming alcohol routinely over a substantial period of time can trigger the body to become dependent on alcohol. Often high-functioning alcoholics successfully drink a great deal without the same hangover that tortures the random drinker.
3. Abstaining makes them irritable, nervous, or uncomfortable.
If an alcoholic is required to abstain from drinking, his or her body regularly responds adversely, as they depend on the sedative effects of alcohol. Sudden quitting can trigger anxiety, nervousness, perspiration, a rapid heart rate, as well as seizures.
4. Their behavior patterns transform significantly while under the influence of booze.
When they drink, problem drinkers may transform dramatically. A generally mild-mannered person may become aggressive, or make impulsive choices.
5. They can't have just two drinks.
A problem drinker has a problem quiting, and may even finish others' drinks. Alcohol will never be left on the table, and there is always a pretext for one more round.
6. Periods of memory loss or "blacking out" are common.
Many alcoholics will participate in activities that they have no memory of the next day. They may not seem significantly intoxicated at the moment, but they're unable to recall events that occurred.
7. Attempts to discuss drinking habits are met with hostility and denial.
When confronted with problems surrounding their drinking , heavy users will typically regress to denial or aggression, making a dialogue difficult.
8. They typically have a good reason for why they drink.
If flat denial or hostility is not the chosen method of evasion, most problem drinkers will have a somewhat reasonable explanation for their actions. Anxiety and stress at work, troubles in the home, or an abundance of social events are typical excuses to explain their destructive behavior.
9. They hide their alcohol.
Many problem drinkers will drink alone, or sneak drinks from a bottle in a workspace or in their car. This kind of covert drinking is a tremendous warning and there is no other explanation for this behavior other than alcohol dependence.
Let's try to keep our community productive, safe, and sober by always keeping our eyes open for problematic actions in order to get these struggling coworkers, family, and neighbors the help they need.
Symptoms of a High Functioning Alcoholic
From the outside, these so-called high-functioning alcoholic s 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 invulnerable to the effects of alcohol. A pilot nursing a hangover, a surgeon with unsteady hands, or a financier handling substantial amounts of money are each at-risk of inducing horrendous disasters if they stay on their destructive path.
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