While alcoholism is a devastating illness that could damage lives, certain individuals who struggle with it manage to hold down stressful jobs and huge responsibilities. Externally, these so-called high-functioning alcoholics seem to have everything together. They can drive nice cars, live in excellent communities, and earn a lot of money.
Just because they're high-functioning doesn't mean that they are immune to the effects of alcohol. They're still in danger of hurting themselves and those around them. A pilot nursing a hangover, a doctor performing surgery with trembling hands, or a money-lender handling large amounts of funds are each in danger of triggering horrible disasters if they stay on their unhealthy path.
Here are some signs that can guide you in detecting these ticking time bombs:
1. They consume alcohol instead of eating.
Alcoholics will often change healthy meals with a few drinks, lose their appetite for food completely, or use mealtime as a reason to start drinking.
2. They can certainly awake with no hangover, even after a number of drinks.
Consuming alcohol consistently over a long period of time may trigger the body to become dependent on alcohol. Commonly high-functioning alcoholics can drink excessively without the punishing hangover that plagues the irregular drinker.
3. No alcohol makes them cranky, worried, or otherwise uncomfortable.
If
urine drug test facts is compelled to avoid drinking, his or her body oftentimes reacts negatively, as they are dependent on the sedative effects of alcohol. Suddenly stopping can trigger stress and anxiety, uneasiness, perspiring, an abnormally fast heart rate, and even convulsions.
4. Their actions patterns transform considerably while intoxicated on booze.
Alcoholics might transform significantly when they drink. For example, an usually mild-mannered individual might become aggressive, or make impulsive choices.
5. They can't have just two alcoholic beverages.
An alcoholic has a problem stopping, and might even "polish off" other people's' drinks. Booze will never ever be left on the table, and there is always a disguise for "another round.".
6. Periods of amnesia or "blacking out" are commonplace
Quite a few alcoholics will take part in adventures that they have no recollection of the following day. They may not seem extremely inebriated at the time, but they're not able to remember incidents that occurred.
7. Efforts to discuss alcohol related incidents are met with aggression and denial.
When challenged with issues involving their alcohol usage, problem drinkers will usually fall back to denial or anger, making discussion problematic.
8. They always have a very good explanation for the reason they consume alcohol.
Most alcoholics will have a seemingly reasonable explanation for their conduct if flat denial or hostility is not the selected means of avoidance. Tension on the job, problems at home, or a wealth of social obligations are prevalent reasons to account for their harmful actions.
9. They hide their alcohol.
Numerous alcoholics will drink alone, or sneak alcoholic beverages from a container in a desk or in their vehicle. This kind of hidden drinking is a significant warning sign and there is no other explanation for this behavior other than alcoholism.
Let's keep our society productive, safe, and sober by keeping our eyes open for bothersome actions in an effort to get these struggling colleagues, family members, and friends the helping hand they need.
While alcoholism is a devastating health problem that can ruin lives, some individuals who battle with it manage to hold down demanding jobs and massive responsibilities. From the outdoors, these supposed high-functioning alcoholics seem to have it all together. They could drive good automobiles, live in terrific communities, and make a considerable income.
Simply due to the fact that they're high-functioning does not suggest that they're immune to the results of alcohol. A pilot nursing a hangover, a doctor performing surgery with tremulous hands, or a banker managing large amounts of cash are each at-risk of triggering awful catastrophes if they stay on their unhealthy course.