While alcoholism is a devastating illness that can destroy lives, a few people who battle 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. They can drive nice cars, live in good communities, and make a substantial income.

Just because they're high-functioning doesn't mean that they're immune to the repercussions of alcohol. They're still in danger of hurting themselves and others around them. A pilot nursing a hangover, a surgeon with shaky hands, or a financier managing large sums of money are each at-risk of causing horrendous disasters if they stay on their dysfunctional path.

Below are a few signs that can help in recognizing these time bombs:

1. They drink rather than eating food.

Problem drinkers will regularly remove and replace meals with a couple of drinks, lose interest in food completely, or use mealtime as an excuse to begin consuming alcohol.

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

Drinking alcohol routinely over an extended period of time can induce the physical body to become addicted to alcohol. Regularly high-functioning alcoholics are able to drink a great deal without having the same hangover that plagues the occasional drinker.

3. Abstaining makes them cranky, anxious, or uncomfortable.

If an alcoholic is required to avoid drinking , his or her body often reciprocates adversely, as they depend on the sedative effects of alcohol. Sudden quitting can cause anxiety, uneasiness, sweating, a quickened heart rate, as well as seizures.

4. Their behavior patterns alter dramatically while under the influence of alcohol.

RAGING ALCOHOLIC



When they drink, problem drinkers may change significantly. For instance, a typically pleasant individual may become aggressive, or make careless decisions.

5. They cannot have just two drinks.

A problem drinker has trouble quiting, 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 amnesia or "blacking out" are common.

Many alcoholics will participate in activities that they have no recollection of the next day. They may not seem significantly drunk at the moment, but they're unable to remember activities that took place.

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

When confronted with matters involving their drinking, heavy users will typically retreat to denial or hostility, making a dialogue hard.

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

Most alcoholics will have a seemingly rational explanation for their actions if flat denial or aggression is not the opted for method of evasion. Anxiety and stress at work, problems in the home, or an abundance of social functions are prevalent excuses to explain their damaging 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 sort of covert drinking is a significant red flag and there is no other explanation for their actions aside from alcoholism .


Let's keep addiction , safe, and sober by keeping our eyes open for questionable actions to get these troubled coworkers, family members, and neighbors the help they need.

Indications 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 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 shaky hands, or a financier handling large sums of money are each at-risk of causing horrible disasters if they stay on their destructive course.