While alcoholism is a devastating disease that can ruin lives, some people who battle with it manage to keep big responsibilities and stressful jobs. From the outside, these so-called high-functioning alcoholics seem to have it all together. They can drive great cars, live in good neighborhoods, and make a significant income.

Just because they're high-functioning doesn't mean that they're immune to the effects of alcohol. They're still at risk of hurting themselves and others around them. A pilot nursing a hangover, a surgeon with shaky hands, or a banker handling large sums of money are each at-risk of causing horrendous disasters if they stay on their dysfunctional path.

Below are some signs that can really help in identifying these time bombs:

1. They drink rather than eating food.

Alcoholics will commonly replace meals with a few drinks, lose interest in food altogether, or use mealtime as justification to begin drinking.

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

Consuming alcohol routinely over a long period of time can trigger the body to become addicted to alcohol. Regularly high-functioning alcoholic s are able to drink a good deal without the same hangover that plagues the random drinker.

3. Not drinking makes them grouchy, anxious, or uncomfortable.

If an alcoholic is required to abstain from consuming alcohol, his or her body regularly responds adversely, as they depend on the sedative effects of alcohol. Abrupt quitting can cause tension and anxiety, uneasiness, sweating, a quickened heart rate, as well as seizures.

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

Problem drinkers may transform dramatically when they drink. A generally mild-mannered individual may become aggressive, or make impulsive choices.

5. They cannot have just two drinks.


A problem drinker has trouble quiting, and may even finish others' drinks. Alcohol will certainly never be left on the table, and there is always an excuse for one more round.

6. Time spans of amnesia or "blacking out" are common.

Many problem drinkers will take part in activities that they have no recollection of the next day. They may not appear significantly intoxicated at the moment, but they're not able to recall activities that happened.

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

When confronted with issues involving their alcohol consumption, heavy users will typically regress to denial or aggression, making a dialogue difficult.

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

Most problem drinkers will have a seemingly rational explanation for their actions if flat denial or aggression is not the opted for mode of avoidance. Stress at work, troubles at home, or an abundance of social functions are prevalent 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 drinking is a tremendous warning and there is no other explanation for this behavior apart from alcoholism .

Let's keep our society productive, safe, and sober by always keeping our eyes open for problematic actions to get these troubled coworkers, family members, and friends the help they need.

Signs of a High Functioning Alcoholic

From the outside, these supposed high-functioning alcoholic s 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 repercussions of alcohol. A pilot nursing a hangover, a surgeon with trembling hands, or a banker managing considerable sums of money are each at-risk of causing horrendous disasters if they stay on their destructive path.