While alcohol dependence is a devastating condition 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 problem drinkers seem to have it all together. They can drive great cars, live in great communities, and make a significant income.


But unfortunately, simply because they're high-functioning doesn't mean that they're immune to the repercussions of alcohol. They're still at risk 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 course.

Listed below are a number of warning signs that can really help in recognizing these time bombs:

1. They drink in place of eating food.

Problem drinkers will often replace meals with a few 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 numerous drinks.

Consuming alcohol routinely over a long period of time can trigger the physical body to become addicted to alcohol. Commonly high-functioning alcoholics are able to drink a good deal without the same hangover that tortures the occasional drinker.

3. Not drinking makes them cranky, jittery, or uncomfortable.

If an alcoholic is required to abstain from drinking , his or her physical body often reciprocates adversely, as they depend on the tranquillizing effects of alcohol. Abrupt quitting can cause anxiety, nervousness, sweating, a rapid heart rate, as well as seizures.

4. Their behavior patterns transform significantly while under the influence of booze.

When alcohol addiction drink, alcoholics may alter noticeably. For example, a typically pleasant person may become belligerent, or make careless decisions.

5. They cannot have just two drinks.

A problem drinker has difficulties 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. Periods of amnesia or "blacking out" are common.

Many problem drinkers will participate in activities that they have no memory of the following day. They may not appear significantly intoxicated at the moment, but they're unable to recall activities that happened.

7. Efforts to talk about drinking habits are met with aggression and denial.

When faced with matters surrounding their drinking, heavy users will typically retreat to denial or hostility, making discussion 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 chosen method of evasion. Stress at work, problems in the home, or an abundance of social events are typical reasons to explain their destructive 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 type of hidden alcohol consumption is a tremendous red flag and there is no other explanation for this behavior apart from alcohol addict ion.

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

Symptoms 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 significant income.

Just because alcohol addiction -functioning does not mean that they're immune to the effects of alcohol. A pilot nursing a hangover, a surgeon with shaky hands, or a banker managing substantial amounts of money are each at-risk of inducing horrible disasters if they stay on their destructive course.