Tell Tale Signs Of A High Functioning Alcoholic (HFA)
While alcoholism is a devastating illness that can ruin lives, a few people who battle with it manage to keep stressful jobs and big responsibilities. From the outside, these so-called high-functioning alcoholics seem to have it all together. They can drive great cars, live in great communities, and make a substantial income.
Just because they're high-functioning doesn't 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 trembling hands, or a banker handling large sums of money are each at-risk of inducing horrible disasters if they stay on their dysfunctional course.
Below are a few clues that can really help in recognizing these time bombs:
1. They consume alcohol rather than eating food.
Alcoholics will often remove and replace meals with a few drinks, lose interest in food completely, or use mealtime as a reason to start drinking .
2. They can wake up without a hangover, even after several drinks.
Drinking alcohol regularly over an extended period of time can trigger the body to become addicted to alcohol. Commonly high-functioning alcoholics manage to drink a good deal without the same hangover that tortures the not habitual drinker.
3. Not drinking makes them cranky, jittery, or uncomfortable.
If an alcoholic is required to avoid consuming alcohol, his or her body regularly reciprocates negatively, as they are dependent on the sedative effects of alcohol. Sudden quitting can trigger tension and anxiety, nervousness, sweating, a rapid heart rate, and even seizures.
4. Their behavior patterns alter significantly while under the influence of alcohol.
When they drink, problem drinkers may change noticeably. For example, a generally mild-mannered person may become aggressive, or make impetuous decisions.
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5. They cannot have just two drinks.
An alcoholic has difficulties stopping, 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. Periods of amnesia or "blacking out" are common.
Many alcoholics will take part in activities that they have no recollection of the next day. They may not appear extremely drunk at the moment, but they're unable to recall activities that occurred.
7. Attempts to discuss drinking habits are met with hostility and denial.
When faced with matters involving their alcohol consumption, alcoholics will generally retreat to denial or hostility, making discussion hard.
8. They always have a good explanation for why they drink.
If flat denial or hostility is not the chosen mode of avoidance, most alcoholics will have a somewhat rational explanation for their actions. Anxiety and stress at the workplace, problems in the home, or an abundance of social events 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 sort of hidden alcohol consumption is a tremendous warning and there is no other explanation for this behavior aside from alcohol addiction .
Let's try to keep our world productive, safe, and sober by keeping our eyes open for questionable behavior in order to get these troubled colleagues, family, and friends the help they need.
Indications of a High Functioning Alcoholic
From the outside, these so-called high-functioning alcoholic s appear to have it all together. They can drive cool 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 repercussions of alcohol. A pilot nursing a hangover, a surgeon with shaky hands, or a financier handling substantial amounts of money are each at-risk of triggering terrible disasters if they stay on their destructive path.
Just because they're high-functioning doesn't 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 trembling hands, or a banker handling large sums of money are each at-risk of inducing horrible disasters if they stay on their dysfunctional course.
Below are a few clues that can really help in recognizing these time bombs:
1. They consume alcohol rather than eating food.
Alcoholics will often remove and replace meals with a few drinks, lose interest in food completely, or use mealtime as a reason to start drinking .
2. They can wake up without a hangover, even after several drinks.
Drinking alcohol regularly over an extended period of time can trigger the body to become addicted to alcohol. Commonly high-functioning alcoholics manage to drink a good deal without the same hangover that tortures the not habitual drinker.
3. Not drinking makes them cranky, jittery, or uncomfortable.
If an alcoholic is required to avoid consuming alcohol, his or her body regularly reciprocates negatively, as they are dependent on the sedative effects of alcohol. Sudden quitting can trigger tension and anxiety, nervousness, sweating, a rapid heart rate, and even seizures.
4. Their behavior patterns alter significantly while under the influence of alcohol.
When they drink, problem drinkers may change noticeably. For example, a generally mild-mannered person may become aggressive, or make impetuous decisions.
more assistance with alcohol . . . http://ragingalcoholic.com
5. They cannot have just two drinks.
An alcoholic has difficulties stopping, 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. Periods of amnesia or "blacking out" are common.
Many alcoholics will take part in activities that they have no recollection of the next day. They may not appear extremely drunk at the moment, but they're unable to recall activities that occurred.
7. Attempts to discuss drinking habits are met with hostility and denial.
When faced with matters involving their alcohol consumption, alcoholics will generally retreat to denial or hostility, making discussion hard.
8. They always have a good explanation for why they drink.
If flat denial or hostility is not the chosen mode of avoidance, most alcoholics will have a somewhat rational explanation for their actions. Anxiety and stress at the workplace, problems in the home, or an abundance of social events 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 sort of hidden alcohol consumption is a tremendous warning and there is no other explanation for this behavior aside from alcohol addiction .
Let's try to keep our world productive, safe, and sober by keeping our eyes open for questionable behavior in order to get these troubled colleagues, family, and friends the help they need.
Indications of a High Functioning Alcoholic
From the outside, these so-called high-functioning alcoholic s appear to have it all together. They can drive cool 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 repercussions of alcohol. A pilot nursing a hangover, a surgeon with shaky hands, or a financier handling substantial amounts of money are each at-risk of triggering terrible disasters if they stay on their destructive path.
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