Alcohol addiction isn’t something that should be ridiculed and put aside. According to medical experts, alcoholism is a real medical condition. It is a deadly vice that has the power to cause changes in a person’s brain and neurochemistry.
It’s a disease that is spreading more rapidly than ever and needs to be taken seriously.
Sure, going out for a few beers with your buddies, or treating yourself to a nice glass of fine wine every once in a while, can turn out to be the perfect Saturday night.
But, what happens when that hedonistic pleasure and casual wine-tasting becomes an incurable and harmful addiction?
Here are 9 positive signs indicating that someone is a high-functioning alcoholic:
1. DRINKS INSTEAD OF REGULAR MEALS
A typical alcoholic prefers drinks any day or time of the week. They have a decreased appetite and no interest in food. Their regular meals usually start with alcoholic beverages, instead of nutrients and real food.
2. RARE HANGOVERS
Considering that high-functioning alcoholics are probably 24/7 intoxicated and drunk, after a while these people become addicted. Their drinking problem eventually transforms into a dangerous dependency.
As a result, their bodily functions are used to the excessive amounts of alcohol, so they can easily drink without waking up to a hangover.
3. IRRATIONAL AND IRRITABLE BEHAVIOUR WITHOUT ALCOHOL
It is important to mention that because of the sedative effects alcohol has on us, a sudden abstinence from it can be the trigger for anxiety, shaking, sweating, uncontrollable mood swings and palpitations.
Alcoholics who are advised to stay away from alcohol usually become easily frustrated, depressed and restless.
4. EXCESSIVE CONSUMPTION
And normally, high-functioning alcoholics will never quench their thirst with one glass of booze. They will always ask for one more. In fact, people who have a serious addiction to alcohol are likely to drink until they pass out.
Their tolerance for alcoholic beverages is way higher than average people.
5. SEVERE MEMORY LOSS AND WEAKENED BRAIN FUNCTION
Alcoholic beverages have severe damaging effects on the brain. The harmful consequences of living life as a high functioning alcoholic are usually blurred vision, slurred speech, slow reactions, and in the long run, impaired memory.
6. LIVING IN DENIAL
Long-term heavy drinking is also the main cause for clouding a person’s judgment. People who are used to consume alcohol in ridiculously excessive amounts, don’t like to admit that they have a problem.
The only feedback you’ll get once you confront them about their addiction will be anger and attack. That’s why they find it easier to live in their blissful state of denial.
7. ILLOGICAL JUSTIFICATIONS FOR DRINKING
Another way you can recognize an alcoholic besides their uncontrollable behavior is their illogical justification for their drinking problem. It usually goes from “I’m stressed, and I need a drink” to waking up drunk in the middle of nowhere.
8. UNPREDICTABLE MOOD SWINGS
As said before, a person highly addicted to alcohol is likely to experience severe mood swings. They can practically change in a few minutes. The chemical changes that occur in our brain due to an alcohol infusion can manifest in aggressive outbursts when you least expect it.
9. HIDING ALCOHOL
In addition to their illogical justification for their drinking problem, high-functioning alcoholics usually have their secret stash. They don’t want their issues exposed, because then they would have to face it.
And what’s better than living in an oblivious world?
Image: George Baker
