While alcohol dependence is a devastating disease that can ruin lives, a few people who struggle with it manage to hold down stressful jobs and big responsibilities. From the outside, these so-called high-functioning alcoholic s seem to have it all together. They can drive nice cars, live in great neighborhoods, and make a significant income.

However, just because they are high-functioning does not mean that they are immune to the repercussions of alcohol. They are still in danger of hurting 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 terrible disasters if they stay on their dysfunctional path.

Here are a few signs that can really help in recognizing these time bombs:

1. They drink rather than eating.

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

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

Drinking alcohol regularly over a long period of time can cause the physical body to become dependent on alcohol. Often high-functioning alcoholics manage to drink a great deal without the same hangover that afflicts the occasional drinker.

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

If an alcoholic is required to avoid consuming alcohol, his or her physical body commonly responds negatively, as they depend on the sedative effects of alcohol. Abrupt quitting can trigger tension and anxiety, nervousness, perspiration, a quickened heart rate, as well as seizures.

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

Alcoholics may change dramatically when they drink. A generally mild-mannered individual may become aggressive, or make careless decisions.

5. They cannot have just two drinks.

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

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

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

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


When faced with issues surrounding their alcohol consumption, alcoholics will generally regress to denial or hostility, making a dialogue hard.

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

If flat denial or hostility is not the chosen mode of evasion, most alcoholics will have a seemingly rational explanation for their actions. Stress and anxiety at the workplace, problems in the home, or an abundance of social events are common 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 vehicle. This type of covert alcohol consumption is a significant red flag and there is no other explanation for this behavior other than alcoholism .

Let's try to keep our society productive, safe, and sober by keeping our eyes open for questionable actions in order to get these struggling colleagues, family members, and friends the help they need.

Symptoms of a High Functioning Alcoholic

From the outside, these so-called high-functioning alcoholics appear to have it all together. They can drive nice cars, live in great communities, 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 shaky hands, or a financier handling considerable sums of money are each at-risk of inducing horrible disasters if they stay on their destructive course.