Tell Tale Signs Of A High Functioning Alcoholic

While alcohol dependence is a devastating condition that can ruin lives, some people who struggle with it manage to hold down stressful jobs and big responsibilities. From the outside, these so-called high-functioning alcoholics seem to have it all together.

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They can drive nice cars, live in great neighborhoods, and make a substantial income.

Even so, just because they're high-functioning does not mean that they're immune to the effects of alcohol. They are still at risk of hurting themselves and others around them. A pilot nursing a hangover, a surgeon with trembling hands, or a banker managing large sums of money are each at-risk of inducing horrible disasters if they stay on their dysfunctional course.

Here are a number of warning signs that can help in recognizing these time bombs:

1. They consume alcohol instead of eating.

Alcoholics will commonly replace meals with a couple of drinks, lose interest in food completely, or use mealtime as an excuse to start consuming alcohol.

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

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

3. Not drinking makes them cranky, nervous, or uncomfortable.

If an alcoholic is forced to avoid drinking, his or her physical body commonly reciprocates negatively, as they are dependent on the sedative effects of alcohol. Sudden quitting can induce tension and anxiety, nervousness, perspiration, a quickened heart rate, and even seizures.

4. abuse change significantly while under the influence of booze.

Problem drinkers may alter dramatically when they drink. A generally mild-mannered person may become aggressive, or make impetuous decisions.
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5. abuse cannot have just two drinks.

alcoholism has trouble quiting, and may even finish others' drinks. Booze will 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.

abuse will take part in activities that they have no recollection of the following day. They may not seem extremely drunk at the time, but they're unable to remember events that happened.

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

When faced with problems involving their alcohol consumption, heavy users will typically regress to denial or aggression, making conversation difficult.

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

abuse will have a seemingly rational explanation for their behavior if flat denial or hostility is not the opted for mode of evasion. Anxiety and stress at work, troubles in the home, or an abundance of social activities are common reasons to explain their destructive behavior.

9. They conceal 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 a tremendous warning and there is no other explanation for this behavior aside from alcohol addiction .

Let's keep our society productive, safe, and sober by keeping our eyes open for dubious behavior in order to get these troubled coworkers, family members, and friends the help they need.

Symptoms of a High Functioning Alcoholic

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

Just 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 managing substantial amounts of money are each at-risk of causing horrendous disasters if they stay on their destructive course.