While alcoholism is a devastating disease 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 problem drinkers seem to have it all together. They can drive great cars, live in good neighborhoods, and make a significant income.

Simply because they're high-functioning does not mean that they're immune to the effects of alcohol. They are still at risk of harming themselves and others around them. A pilot nursing a hangover, a surgeon with trembling hands, or a banker handling large sums of money are each at-risk of triggering horrible disasters if they stay on their dysfunctional path.

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

1. They consume alcohol rather than eating.

Alcoholics will commonly replace meals with a couple of drinks, lose interest in food altogether, or use mealtime as a reason to start drinking.

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

Drinking alcohol regularly over a substantial period of time can cause the body to become addicted to alcohol. Often high-functioning alcoholic -relative-while-growing-up-">alcoholic s are able to drink a lot without the same hangover that tortures the occasional drinker.

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

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

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

When they drink, alcoholics may alter significantly. For instance, a typically pleasant person may become belligerent, or make careless decisions.

5. They can't have just two drinks.

A problem drinker has a problem 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 typical.

Many alcoholic s will participate in activities that they have no recollection of the next day. They may not appear significantly drunk at the time, 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 problems involving their drinking , alcoholics will typically regress to denial or hostility, making conversation hard.

8. They never fail to have a good explanation for why they drink.

Most alcoholics will have a relatively rational explanation for their behavior if flat denial or hostility is not the chosen method of evasion. Anxiety and stress at work, troubles in the home, or an abundance of social events are prevalent excuses to explain their damaging behavior.

9. They hide their alcohol.

Many alcoholics will drink alone, or sneak drinks from a bottle in a workspace or in their car. alcohol addiction of hidden alcohol consumption is a significant warning and there is no other explanation for their actions aside from alcohol dependence.

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

alcohol addiction 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 communities, and make a significant income.

Just because they're high-functioning does not mean that they're immune to the repercussions 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 causing terrible disasters if they stay on their destructive course.