While alcohol dependence is a disastrous disease that can destroy lives, a number of people who battle with it manage to hold down big responsibilities and stressful jobs. From the outside, these so-called high-functioning problem drinkers seem to have it all together. They can drive nice cars, live in good neighborhoods, and make a substantial income.

Just because alcohol abuse -functioning doesn't mean that they're immune to the repercussions of alcohol. They're still in danger of hurting themselves and others around them. For instance, a pilot nursing a hangover, a surgeon with trembling hands, or a financier managing large amounts of money are each at-risk of causing horrible disasters if they continue on their dysfunctional path.

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

1. They consume alcohol rather than eating.

Alcoholics will often remove and replace meals with a couple of drinks, lose interest in food completely, or use mealtime as a reason to begin consuming alcohol.

2. They can wake up without a hangover, even after a number of drinks.


Drinking alcohol routinely over a substantial period of time can induce the body to become dependent on alcohol. Often high-functioning alcoholics successfully drink a great deal without the same hangover that afflicts the random drinker.

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

If an alcoholic is required to avoid drinking, his or her body often reacts adversely, as they depend on the sedative effects of alcohol. Abrupt quitting can trigger tension and anxiety, uneasiness, sweating, a rapid heart rate, and even seizures.

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

Problem drinkers may transform dramatically when they drink. alcohol abuse -mannered person may become aggressive, or make impulsive decisions.

5. They cannot have just two drinks.

An alcoholic has difficulties stopping, and may even finish others' drinks. Alcohol will never be left on the table, and there is always a pretext 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 next day. They may not appear extremely drunk at the moment, but they're unable to remember events that happened.

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

When faced with problems surrounding their drinking, heavy users will generally retreat to denial or hostility, making discussion difficult.

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

Most problem drinkers will have a relatively rational explanation for their actions if flat denial or hostility is not the opted for method of avoidance. 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 hide their alcohol.

Many problem drinkers will drink alone, or sneak drinks from a bottle in a desk or in their car. This sort of hidden alcohol consumption is an enormous red flag and there is no other explanation for their actions aside from addiction -is-influenced-by-both-environmental-and-genetic-factors/"> alcoholism .

Let's try to keep alcohol abuse , safe, and sober by always keeping our eyes open for questionable actions to get these struggling colleagues, family members, and neighbors the assistance they need.

Symptoms of a High Functioning Alcoholic

From the outside, these supposed high-functioning alcoholics appear to have it all together. They can drive nice cars, live in great neighborhoods, and make a significant income.


to clear up a troubling question: . . . Raging Alcoholic


Simply 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 large amounts of money are each at-risk of triggering terrible disasters if they stay on their destructive path.