Categories > Cartoons > American Dragon: Jake Long

A Few Clues Of A High Functioning Alcoholic

by Bowling38Rivers 0 reviews

Hi and welcome. While alcohol dependence is a disastrous

Category: American Dragon: Jake Long - Rating: PG - Genres: Drama - Warnings: [R] - Published: 2017-11-03 - 620 words

0Unrated
While alcohol dependence is a disastrous illness that can ruin lives, a number of people who struggle 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 nice cars, live in good communities, and make a substantial income.

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

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

1. They consume alcohol rather than eating food.

Alcoholics will regularly replace meals with a couple of drinks, lose interest in food completely, or use mealtime as an excuse 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 cause the physical body to become addicted to alcohol. Regularly high-functioning alcoholics are able to drink a great deal without having the same hangover that tortures the occasional drinker.

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

If an alcoholic is forced to abstain from drinking, his or her physical body often reciprocates negatively, as they depend on the tranquillizing effects of alcohol. Abrupt quitting can induce anxiety, uneasiness, perspiration, a rapid heart rate, as well as seizures.

4. Their behavior patterns alter noticeably while under the influence of booze.

When they drink, alcoholics may change significantly. A typically mild-mannered individual may become aggressive, or make impetuous decisions.

5. They can't have just two drinks.

A problem drinker has difficulties stopping, and may even finish others' drinks. Alcohol will certainly never be left on the table, and there is always a pretext for one more round.

6. Periods of memory loss or "blacking out" are typical.


Many alcoholics will take part in activities that they have no recollection of the next day. They may not seem significantly drunk at the time, but they're not able to recall events that took place.

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

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

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

Most problem drinkers will have a relatively rational explanation for their behavior if flat denial or hostility is not the opted for mode of avoidance. Anxiety and stress at work, troubles in the home, or an abundance of social events are typical reasons to explain their destructive behavior.

9. They hide their alcohol.

Many alcoholics will drink alone, or sneak drinks from a bottle in a desk or in their vehicle. This kind of covert drinking is a significant warning and there is no other explanation for their actions apart from alcohol addiction.

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 members, and neighbors the help they need.

Signs of a High Functioning Alcoholic

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

Simply because they're high-functioning does not mean that they're immune to the effects of alcohol. A pilot nursing a hangover, a surgeon with unsteady hands, or a financier handling considerable sums of money are each at-risk of causing terrible disasters if they stay on their destructive course.
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