Tell Tale Clues Of A High Functioning Alcoholic (HFA)

While alcohol dependence is a devastating condition that can destroy lives, some people who battle with it manage to keep stressful jobs and big responsibilities. From the outside, these so-called high-functioning alcoholic s seem to have it all together. They can drive great cars, live in good neighborhoods, 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. A pilot nursing a hangover, a surgeon with trembling hands, or a financier handling large sums of money are each at-risk of inducing horrendous disasters if they stay on their dysfunctional course.

Listed below are a number of signs that can help in recognizing these time bombs:

1. They drink rather than eating food.

Alcoholics will regularly replace meals with a couple of drinks, lose interest in food completely, or use mealtime as justification to begin consuming alcohol.

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2. They can wake up without a hangover, even after a number of drinks.

Consuming alcohol routinely over a long period of time can induce the body to become addicted to alcohol. Often high-functioning alcoholics manage to drink a lot without the same hangover that torments the occasional drinker.

3. Not drinking makes them grouchy, anxious, or uncomfortable.

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

4. Their behavior patterns change noticeably while under the influence of alcohol.

Problem drinkers may transform noticeably when they drink. A generally mild-mannered individual may become aggressive, or make impetuous 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 a pretext for one more round.

6. Periods of memory loss or "blacking out" are prevalent.

Many problem drinkers will participate 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 activities that occurred.

7. Efforts to discuss drinking habits are met with hostility and denial.

When confronted with alcohol dependent person surrounding their alcohol consumption, alcohol abuser s will generally retreat to denial or aggression, making a dialogue difficult.



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

If flat denial or aggression is not the opted for mode of evasion, most alcoholics will have a seemingly reasonable explanation for their actions. Anxiety and stress at work, problems at home, or an abundance of social functions are prevalent reasons to explain their destructive 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 type of covert drinking is a tremendous warning and there is no other explanation for this behavior apart from alcohol addiction.

Let's try to keep our society productive, safe, and sober by keeping our eyes open for dubious actions in order to get these struggling coworkers, family, and friends the assistance they need.

Signs of a High Functioning Alcoholic

From the outside, these supposed high-functioning alcoholic s seem to have it all together. They can drive nice cars, live in great neighborhoods, and make a significant income.

Simply 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 trembling hands, or a financier handling considerable sums of money are each at-risk of causing horrendous disasters if they stay on their destructive path.