While alcoholism is a devastating condition that can destroy lives, a few people who struggle with it manage to hold down stressful jobs and big responsibilities. From the outside, these so-called high-functioning problem drinkers seem to have it all together. They can drive great cars, live in good communities, and make a substantial income.

Just because they're high-functioning does not mean that they're immune to the repercussions of alcohol. They're still in danger of harming themselves and others around them. For example, a pilot nursing a hangover, a surgeon with shaky hands, or a banker handling large amounts of money are each at-risk of inducing horrible disasters if they stay on their dysfunctional path.

Here are some clues that can really help in identifying these time bombs:


1. They consume alcohol in place of eating food.

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

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

Consuming alcohol routinely over an extended period of time can cause the body to become addicted to alcohol. Regularly alcohol abuse -functioning alcoholics manage to drink a lot without the same hangover that plagues the not habitual drinker.

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

If an alcoholic is forced to avoid drinking, his or her physical body regularly responds negatively, as they are dependent on the sedative effects of alcohol. alcohol abuse quitting can trigger anxiety, nervousness, sweating, a quickened heart rate, as well as seizures.

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

When they drink, problem drinkers may alter dramatically. For instance, a generally pleasant person may become belligerent, or make impetuous decisions.

5. They can't have just two drinks.

An alcoholic has a problem stopping, and may even finish others' drinks. Alcohol will certainly never be left on the table, and there is always a pretext for one more round.

6. Periods of memory loss or "blacking out" are prevalent.

Many alcoholics will take part in activities that they have no recollection of the following day. They may not appear extremely intoxicated at the moment, but they're unable to remember events that happened.

7. alcohol abuse to talk about drinking behavior are met with aggression and denial.

When confronted with matters surrounding their alcohol consumption, heavy users will generally regress to denial or hostility, making a dialogue hard.

8. They typically have a good explanation 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 mode of evasion. Stress and anxiety at the workplace, troubles in the home, or an abundance of social events are typical reasons to explain their damaging behavior.

9. They conceal their alcohol.


Raging Alcoholic


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 significant warning and there is no other explanation for their actions aside from alcohol addiction .

Let's keep our world productive, safe, and sober by always keeping our eyes open for dubious behavior to get these troubled colleagues, family members, and neighbors the help they need.

Symptoms of a High Functioning Alcoholic

From the outside, these so-called high-functioning alcoholics seem to have it all together. They can drive nice 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 repercussions of alcohol. alcohol abuse nursing a hangover, a surgeon with unsteady hands, or a banker managing substantial sums of money are each at-risk of triggering horrendous disasters if they stay on their destructive course.