While alcoholism is a devastating illness that can destroy lives, some people who struggle with it manage to keep big responsibilities and stressful jobs. From the outside, these so-called high-functioning alcoholics seem to have it all together. They can drive nice cars, live in good communities, and make a significant income.
However, just because they're high-functioning doesn't mean that they're immune to the repercussions of alcohol. They are still at risk of harming 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 inducing terrible disasters if they stay on their dysfunctional course.
Here are a few warning signs that can help in recognizing these time bombs:
1. They drink rather than eating food.
Problem drinkers will commonly replace meals with a few drinks, lose interest in food altogether, or use mealtime as a reason to begin consuming alcohol.
2. They can get out of bed without a hangover, even after several drinks.
Consuming alcohol regularly over a long period of time can trigger the body to become dependent on alcohol. Often high-functioning alcoholics manage to drink a lot without the same hangover that plagues the random drinker.
3. Not drinking makes them cranky, nervous, or uncomfortable.
If an alcoholic is required to abstain from drinking, his or her body regularly reacts adversely, as they are dependent on the sedative effects of alcohol. Abrupt quitting can induce anxiety, uneasiness, sweating, a rapid heart rate, as well as seizures.
4. Their behavior patterns change dramatically while under the influence of alcohol.
Problem drinkers may change significantly when they drink. A generally mild-mannered individual may become aggressive, or make careless choices.
5. They can't have just two drinks.
An alcoholic has trouble stopping, and may even finish others' drinks. Booze will never be left on the table, and there is always an excuse for one more round.
6. Time spans of memory loss or "blacking out" are prevalent.
physical signs of alcoholism
Many alcoholics will participate in activities that they have no memory of the following day. They may not seem significantly drunk at the time, but they're not able to remember events that occurred.
7. Efforts to discuss drinking habits are met with hostility and denial.
When faced with problems surrounding their drinking, heavy users will typically retreat to denial or hostility, making conversation hard.
8. They never fail to have a good reason for why they drink.
what is the definition of binge drinking
Most problem drinkers will have a relatively rational explanation for their behavior if flat denial or hostility is not the chosen method of avoidance. Anxiety and stress at the workplace, problems in the home, or an abundance of social functions are prevalent reasons to explain their damaging behavior.
9. They hide their alcohol.
Many alcoholics will drink alone, or sneak drinks from a bottle in a desk or in their vehicle. This sort of covert alcohol consumption is a tremendous warning and there is no other explanation for their actions apart from alcohol addiction.
Let's try to keep our community productive, safe, and sober by keeping our eyes open for questionable behavior to get these troubled coworkers, family, and friends the help they need.
Signs of a High Functioning Alcoholic
From the outside, these supposed high-functioning alcoholics appear 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 trembling hands, or a financier managing considerable sums of money are each at-risk of inducing horrible disasters if they stay on their destructive course.
http://www.helpguide.org/articles/addiction/alcoholism-and-alcohol-abuse.htm
However, just because they're high-functioning doesn't mean that they're immune to the repercussions of alcohol. They are still at risk of harming 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 inducing terrible disasters if they stay on their dysfunctional course.
Here are a few warning signs that can help in recognizing these time bombs:
1. They drink rather than eating food.
Problem drinkers will commonly replace meals with a few drinks, lose interest in food altogether, or use mealtime as a reason to begin consuming alcohol.
2. They can get out of bed without a hangover, even after several drinks.
Consuming alcohol regularly over a long period of time can trigger the body to become dependent on alcohol. Often high-functioning alcoholics manage to drink a lot without the same hangover that plagues the random drinker.
3. Not drinking makes them cranky, nervous, or uncomfortable.
If an alcoholic is required to abstain from drinking, his or her body regularly reacts adversely, as they are dependent on the sedative effects of alcohol. Abrupt quitting can induce anxiety, uneasiness, sweating, a rapid heart rate, as well as seizures.
4. Their behavior patterns change dramatically while under the influence of alcohol.
Problem drinkers may change significantly when they drink. A generally mild-mannered individual may become aggressive, or make careless choices.
5. They can't have just two drinks.
An alcoholic has trouble stopping, and may even finish others' drinks. Booze will never be left on the table, and there is always an excuse for one more round.
6. Time spans of memory loss or "blacking out" are prevalent.
physical signs of alcoholism
Many alcoholics will participate in activities that they have no memory of the following day. They may not seem significantly drunk at the time, but they're not able to remember events that occurred.
7. Efforts to discuss drinking habits are met with hostility and denial.
When faced with problems surrounding their drinking, heavy users will typically retreat to denial or hostility, making conversation hard.
8. They never fail to have a good reason for why they drink.
what is the definition of binge drinking
Most problem drinkers will have a relatively rational explanation for their behavior if flat denial or hostility is not the chosen method of avoidance. Anxiety and stress at the workplace, problems in the home, or an abundance of social functions are prevalent reasons to explain their damaging behavior.
9. They hide their alcohol.
Many alcoholics will drink alone, or sneak drinks from a bottle in a desk or in their vehicle. This sort of covert alcohol consumption is a tremendous warning and there is no other explanation for their actions apart from alcohol addiction.
Let's try to keep our community productive, safe, and sober by keeping our eyes open for questionable behavior to get these troubled coworkers, family, and friends the help they need.
Signs of a High Functioning Alcoholic
From the outside, these supposed high-functioning alcoholics appear 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 trembling hands, or a financier managing considerable sums of money are each at-risk of inducing horrible disasters if they stay on their destructive course.
http://www.helpguide.org/articles/addiction/alcoholism-and-alcohol-abuse.htm