Tell Tale Indications Of A High Functioning Alcoholic

While alcoholism is a devastating illness that can destroy 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 great cars, live in great neighborhoods, and make a substantial income.

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Even so, just because they are high-functioning does not mean that they're immune to the effects of alcohol. They are still in danger of harming themselves and others around them. For example, a pilot nursing a hangover, a surgeon with shaky hands, or a banker handling large sums of money are each at-risk of triggering terrible disasters if they remain on their dysfunctional course.

Listed below are some signs that can help in recognizing these time bombs:

1. They consume alcohol instead of eating.

Alcoholics will often remove and replace meals with a couple of drinks, lose interest in food altogether, or use mealtime as an excuse to begin consuming alcohol.

2. They can get out of bed without a hangover, even after several drinks.

Drinking alcohol regularly over an extended period of time can cause the body to become dependent on alcohol. Commonly high-functioning alcoholics manage to drink a good deal without having the same hangover that afflicts the random drinker.

3. Not drinking makes them irritable, jittery, or uncomfortable.

If an alcoholic is forced to abstain from drinking , his or her physical body often responds negatively, as they depend on the sedative effects of alcohol. Abrupt quitting can induce anxiety, nervousness, perspiration, a rapid heart rate, as well as seizures.

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

Alcoholics may transform noticeably when they drink. For example, a generally pleasant individual may become aggressive, or make impetuous choices.

Sometimes people drink booze owing to stress and anxiety

5. They can't have just two drinks.

A problem drinker has difficulties 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 common.

Many problem drinkers will participate in activities that they have no recollection of the following day. They may not seem significantly intoxicated at the time, but they're not able to remember events that happened.

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

When faced with issues surrounding their alcohol consumption, heavy users will typically regress to denial or aggression, making discussion difficult.

8. They always have a good explanation for why they drink.

Most alcoholics will have a relatively rational explanation for their actions if flat denial or hostility is not the opted for mode of evasion. Stress and anxiety at work, problems at home, or an abundance of social events are typical reasons to explain their destructive behavior.

9. They hide their alcohol.

Many alcoholics will drink alone, or sneak drinks from a bottle in a workspace or in their vehicle. This kind of covert alcohol consumption is an enormous red flag and there is no other explanation for this behavior aside from alcohol addiction.

Let's try to keep our community productive, safe, and sober by always keeping our eyes open for problematic behavior in order to get these troubled coworkers, family, and neighbors the help they need.

Signs of a High Functioning Alcoholic

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 substantial income.

Simply because they're high-functioning does not mean that they're invulnerable to the repercussions 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 causing horrendous disasters if they stay on their destructive path.