Tell Tale Indications Of A High-Functioning-Alcoholic
While alcoholism is a devastating disease that can ruin lives, some people who struggle with it manage to keep big responsibilities and stressful jobs. From the outside, these so-called high-functioning problem drinkers seem to have it all together. They can drive nice cars, live in great communities, and make a significant income.
Simply because they're high-functioning does not mean that they're immune to the repercussions of alcohol. They're 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 triggering terrible disasters if they stay on their dysfunctional course.
Below are a number of signs that can really help in identifying these time bombs:
1. They drink instead of eating.
Problem drinkers will commonly replace meals with a few drinks, lose interest in food completely, or use mealtime as justification to begin consuming alcohol.
2. They can wake up without having a hangover, even after several drinks.
Drinking alcohol routinely over an extended period of time can cause the body to become dependent on alcohol. Regularly high-functioning alcoholics manage to drink a lot without the same hangover that afflicts the random drinker.
3. Not drinking makes them cranky, jittery, or uncomfortable.
If an alcoholic is required to avoid consuming alcohol, his or her body regularly responds negatively, as they are dependent on the tranquillizing effects of alcohol. Abrupt quitting can trigger anxiety, nervousness, perspiration, a quickened heart rate, and even seizures.
4. Their behavior patterns alter noticeably while under the influence of booze.
Problem drinkers may change noticeably when they drink. A generally mild-mannered individual may become aggressive, or make careless decisions.
5. They cannot have just two drinks.
An alcoholic has difficulties stopping, and may even finish others' drinks. Booze will certainly never be left on the table, and there is always an excuse for one more round.
6. Time spans of amnesia or "blacking out" are typical.
Many alcoholics will participate in activities that they have no recollection of the next day. They may not appear significantly drunk at the moment, but they're not able to remember activities that took place.
7. Attempts to talk about drinking behavior are met with aggression and denial.
When confronted with problems involving their alcohol consumption, alcoholics will generally retreat to denial or aggression, making conversation difficult.
8. They typically have a good reason for why they drink.
Most problem drinkers will have a seemingly rational explanation for their behavior if flat denial or aggression is not the opted for mode of avoidance. Anxiety and stress at the workplace, troubles at home, or an abundance of social activities 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 desk or in their vehicle. This type of covert drinking is a significant warning and there is no other explanation for this behavior other than alcohol dependence.
Let's try to keep our society productive, safe, and sober by keeping our eyes open for dubious behavior to get these troubled coworkers, family members, and neighbors the help they need.
Symptoms 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 neighborhoods, and make a significant 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 shaky hands, or a banker handling substantial sums of money are each at-risk of inducing horrendous disasters if they stay on their destructive path.
Simply because they're high-functioning does not mean that they're immune to the repercussions of alcohol. They're 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 triggering terrible disasters if they stay on their dysfunctional course.
Below are a number of signs that can really help in identifying these time bombs:
1. They drink instead of eating.
Problem drinkers will commonly replace meals with a few drinks, lose interest in food completely, or use mealtime as justification to begin consuming alcohol.
2. They can wake up without having a hangover, even after several drinks.
Drinking alcohol routinely over an extended period of time can cause the body to become dependent on alcohol. Regularly high-functioning alcoholics manage to drink a lot without the same hangover that afflicts the random drinker.
3. Not drinking makes them cranky, jittery, or uncomfortable.
If an alcoholic is required to avoid consuming alcohol, his or her body regularly responds negatively, as they are dependent on the tranquillizing effects of alcohol. Abrupt quitting can trigger anxiety, nervousness, perspiration, a quickened heart rate, and even seizures.
4. Their behavior patterns alter noticeably while under the influence of booze.
Problem drinkers may change noticeably when they drink. A generally mild-mannered individual may become aggressive, or make careless decisions.
5. They cannot have just two drinks.
An alcoholic has difficulties stopping, and may even finish others' drinks. Booze will certainly never be left on the table, and there is always an excuse for one more round.
6. Time spans of amnesia or "blacking out" are typical.
Many alcoholics will participate in activities that they have no recollection of the next day. They may not appear significantly drunk at the moment, but they're not able to remember activities that took place.
7. Attempts to talk about drinking behavior are met with aggression and denial.
When confronted with problems involving their alcohol consumption, alcoholics will generally retreat to denial or aggression, making conversation difficult.
8. They typically have a good reason for why they drink.
Most problem drinkers will have a seemingly rational explanation for their behavior if flat denial or aggression is not the opted for mode of avoidance. Anxiety and stress at the workplace, troubles at home, or an abundance of social activities 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 desk or in their vehicle. This type of covert drinking is a significant warning and there is no other explanation for this behavior other than alcohol dependence.
Let's try to keep our society productive, safe, and sober by keeping our eyes open for dubious behavior to get these troubled coworkers, family members, and neighbors the help they need.
Symptoms 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 neighborhoods, and make a significant 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 shaky hands, or a banker handling substantial sums of money are each at-risk of inducing horrendous disasters if they stay on their destructive path.
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