Tell Tale Clues Of A High Functioning Alcoholic (HFA)
While alcohol dependence is a disastrous condition that can ruin lives, a few people who struggle 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 great cars, live in good neighborhoods, and make a significant income.
Even so, simply because they're high-functioning does not mean that they're immune to the effects of alcohol. They are still at risk of harming 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 triggering horrendous disasters if they remain on their dysfunctional course.
Here are some clues that can help in recognizing these time bombs:
1. They consume alcohol instead of eating food.
Alcoholics will regularly remove and replace meals with a few drinks, lose interest in food altogether, or use mealtime as a reason to start drinking .
2. They can wake up without a hangover, even after a number of drinks.
Drinking alcohol routinely over a long period of time can cause the body to become dependent on alcohol. Commonly high-functioning alcoholics are able to drink a good deal without the same hangover that torments the occasional drinker.
3. Abstaining makes them cranky, anxious, or uncomfortable.
If addiction is required to avoid consuming alcohol, his or her physical body regularly responds adversely, as they depend on the tranquillizing effects of alcohol. Sudden quitting can trigger anxiety, uneasiness, sweating, a rapid heart rate, and even seizures.
4. Their behavior patterns alter dramatically while under the influence of booze.
Problem drinkers may change noticeably when they drink. A typically mild-mannered person may become aggressive, or make careless decisions.
5. They can't have just two drinks.
A problem drinker has a problem stopping, and may even finish others' drinks. Alcohol will certainly never be left on the table, and there is always a pretext for one more round.
6. Time spans of memory loss or "blacking out" are typical.
Many problem drinkers will participate in activities that they have no recollection of the following day. They may not seem significantly drunk at the time, but they're unable to recall events that occurred.
7. Attempts to talk about drinking behavior are met with aggression and denial.
When faced with issues surrounding their drinking, alcohol abuse rs will typically regress to denial or aggression, making conversation difficult.
8. They never fail to have a good explanation for why they drink.
If flat denial or hostility is not the chosen mode of evasion, most problem drinkers will have a seemingly reasonable explanation for their actions. Stress at the workplace, problems in the home, or an abundance of social functions are common 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 workspace or in their vehicle. This kind of covert drinking is an enormous red flag and there is no other explanation for this behavior aside from alcoholism .
Let's try to keep our society productive, safe, and sober by keeping our eyes open for dubious behavior to get these struggling coworkers, family, and friends the help they need.
Indications of a High Functioning Alcoholic
From the outside, these so-called high-functioning addiction -and-frequently-presenting-dual-diagnosis-3013878">alcoholic s appear to have it all together. They can drive nice cars, live in great communities, and make a substantial income.
Simply because they're high-functioning does not mean that they're immune to the repercussions of alcohol. A pilot nursing a hangover, a surgeon with shaky hands, or a financier handling considerable amounts of money are each at-risk of causing horrendous disasters if they stay on their destructive path.
Even so, simply because they're high-functioning does not mean that they're immune to the effects of alcohol. They are still at risk of harming 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 triggering horrendous disasters if they remain on their dysfunctional course.
Here are some clues that can help in recognizing these time bombs:
1. They consume alcohol instead of eating food.
Alcoholics will regularly remove and replace meals with a few drinks, lose interest in food altogether, or use mealtime as a reason to start drinking .
2. They can wake up without a hangover, even after a number of drinks.
Drinking alcohol routinely over a long period of time can cause the body to become dependent on alcohol. Commonly high-functioning alcoholics are able to drink a good deal without the same hangover that torments the occasional drinker.
3. Abstaining makes them cranky, anxious, or uncomfortable.
If addiction is required to avoid consuming alcohol, his or her physical body regularly responds adversely, as they depend on the tranquillizing effects of alcohol. Sudden quitting can trigger anxiety, uneasiness, sweating, a rapid heart rate, and even seizures.
4. Their behavior patterns alter dramatically while under the influence of booze.
Problem drinkers may change noticeably when they drink. A typically mild-mannered person may become aggressive, or make careless decisions.
5. They can't have just two drinks.
A problem drinker has a problem stopping, and may even finish others' drinks. Alcohol will certainly never be left on the table, and there is always a pretext for one more round.
6. Time spans of memory loss or "blacking out" are typical.
Many problem drinkers will participate in activities that they have no recollection of the following day. They may not seem significantly drunk at the time, but they're unable to recall events that occurred.
7. Attempts to talk about drinking behavior are met with aggression and denial.
When faced with issues surrounding their drinking, alcohol abuse rs will typically regress to denial or aggression, making conversation difficult.
8. They never fail to have a good explanation for why they drink.
If flat denial or hostility is not the chosen mode of evasion, most problem drinkers will have a seemingly reasonable explanation for their actions. Stress at the workplace, problems in the home, or an abundance of social functions are common 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 workspace or in their vehicle. This kind of covert drinking is an enormous red flag and there is no other explanation for this behavior aside from alcoholism .
Let's try to keep our society productive, safe, and sober by keeping our eyes open for dubious behavior to get these struggling coworkers, family, and friends the help they need.
Indications of a High Functioning Alcoholic
From the outside, these so-called high-functioning addiction -and-frequently-presenting-dual-diagnosis-3013878">alcoholic s appear to have it all together. They can drive nice cars, live in great communities, and make a substantial income.
Simply because they're high-functioning does not mean that they're immune to the repercussions of alcohol. A pilot nursing a hangover, a surgeon with shaky hands, or a financier handling considerable amounts of money are each at-risk of causing horrendous disasters if they stay on their destructive path.
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