While alcohol dependence is a devastating illness that can ruin lives, a few people who struggle 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 good communities, and make a significant income.

Simply because they're high-functioning doesn't mean that they're immune to the effects of alcohol. They're still at risk of harming themselves and others around them. For instance, a pilot nursing a hangover, a surgeon with shaky hands, or a financier managing large amounts of money are each at-risk of inducing horrible disasters if they stay on their dysfunctional path.

Here are some signs that can really help in recognizing these time bombs:

1. They consume alcohol rather than eating.

Alcoholics will often replace meals with a couple of drinks, lose interest in food completely, or use mealtime as justification to start drinking.

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

Drinking alcohol routinely over a long period of time can induce the body to become dependent on alcohol. Regularly high-functioning alcoholics successfully drink a great deal without having the same hangover that afflicts the occasional drinker.

3. Not drinking makes alcoholism , jittery, or uncomfortable.

If an alcoholic is forced to abstain from drinking, his or her physical body often responds negatively, as they are dependent on the tranquillizing effects of alcohol. Sudden quitting can cause tension and anxiety, uneasiness, sweating, a quickened heart rate, and even seizures.

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

Alcoholics may change noticeably when they drink. A typically mild-mannered person may become aggressive, or make careless decisions.

5. They cannot have just two drinks.

stop alcohol quotes



A problem drinker has trouble stopping, and may even finish others' drinks. Booze will certainly 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 common.

Many alcoholics will take part in activities that they have no recollection of the next day. They may not appear extremely intoxicated at the moment, but they're not able to recall activities that took place.

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

When faced with issues surrounding their alcohol consumption, alcohol abuse rs will typically regress to denial or aggression, making discussion hard.


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

Most problem drinkers will have a relatively rational explanation for their behavior if flat denial or aggression is not the chosen method of avoidance. Stress at the workplace, troubles at home, or an abundance of social functions are common excuses to explain their damaging behavior.

9. They conceal their alcohol.

Many alcoholics will drink alone, or sneak drinks from a bottle in a desk or in their car. This kind of covert alcohol consumption is an enormous warning and there is no other explanation for their actions other than alcohol dependence.

Let's keep our world productive, safe, and sober by always keeping our eyes open for questionable behavior in order to get these troubled coworkers, family members, and neighbors the assistance they need.

alcoholism of a High Functioning Alcoholic

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

Just because they're high-functioning does not mean that they're invulnerable to the effects of alcohol. A pilot nursing a hangover, a surgeon with trembling hands, or a financier managing considerable amounts of money are each at-risk of inducing horrendous disasters if they stay on their destructive path.