9 Warning Signs Someone May Be a High-Functioning Alcoholic: The Effects of Alcoholism and Liver Damage

9 Warning Signs Someone May Be a High-Functioning Alcoholic: The Effects of Alcoholism and Liver Damage

Over the years, alcohol addiction has once again manifested itself as as evil a muse as it ever was. Worryingly, nearly 14.1 million adults in the United States suffer from alcohol use disorder (AUD), according to the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA). A few pints a week may seem harmless at first, but before you know it, you'll be addicted. Chronic alcohol consumption can cause severe liver damage, including fatty liver disease, alcoholic hepatitis, fibrosis and cirrhosis, and can significantly affect health.

Slowly but surely, you'll say goodbye to the days when you drank just for the sake of it. You begin to welcome the dark times when you drink because you desperately need an escape.

Before you drink your eighth tequila shot of the evening, think about the millions of people around the world who have fallen victim to alcoholism. Most of them never regretted it, and in the end they faced fatal consequences. In fact, the World Health Organization (WHO) reports that approximately 3 million deaths occur each year due to harmful alcohol consumption.

Here are nine of the most common signs that someone may be a high-functioning alcoholic (or HFA) and the physical effects, particularly on the liver:

1. You become nervous, restless, or in a bad mood if you don't drink alcohol every day.

This one is particularly meaningful. When an HFA is forced to stop drinking completely, his or her entire body experiences severe side effects. Alcohol addiction can lead to withdrawal symptoms such as heart palpitations, anxiety, excessive sweating, nervousness, and even seizures, which can put additional strain on the liver.

2. They prefer drinking to eating.

Choosing booze over a delicious stack of bacon burgers might seem unfathomable to a sober person, but to an alcoholic it sounds like a really good compromise. In fact, most – if not all – HFAs use every meal as an excuse to indulge in the good booze. This habit can lead to malnutrition and make it difficult for the liver to recover from alcohol-related damage.

3. You're not satisfied with just one or two drinks.

If you are an HFA, you will most likely have difficulty quitting once you start drinking. You will almost always finish other people's drinks. Excessive alcohol consumption can lead to inflammation and fat buildup in the liver, eventually causing liver cirrhosis, liver failure, or liver cancer.

4. You wake up without feeling truly hungover, even after a multitude of shots.

This may sound like some kind of superpower, but it isn't. A healthy person's liver can process about one drink per hour. Normally alcohol stays in the body for this long. With an HFA, regular alcohol consumption has made the body addicted to alcohol, leading to a higher tolerance for hangover symptoms such as headaches and nausea. However, this increased tolerance can also lead to greater liver damage over time.

5. You always have a good reason why you drink so much.

Whether it's problems at home, trouble sleeping, lots of parties, or stress at work, an HFA will always find an excuse to justify their harmful behavior. Either that or avoidance through denial. Denial may further delay recognition of alcohol-related liver damage and worsen the prognosis.

Not ready to stop drinking? Learn more about alcohol reduction programs and how you can protect your liver if you continue drinking

6. You suffer from regular fainting spells or memory loss.

Regular short-term memory loss or fainting spells could be a sign that you are an HFA. Chronic alcohol abuse can also cause brain damage and negatively impact cognitive function.

7. You find it difficult to come to terms with your behavior.

Once HFAs are confronted with the issues surrounding their alcohol use—as is the case with addicts of all other substances—they typically descend into hostility or denial, making healthy discussions difficult or pointless. This reluctance to accept the problem can further delay treatment for alcohol-related liver damage and other health problems.

8. Under the influence of alcohol, your behavior patterns change significantly.

Alcoholics generally go through a Jekyll and Hyde scenario in which they noticeably change their behavior while drinking. For example, a normally rational, responsible, and gentle person may suddenly become impulsive, unreliable, and rude. These behavioral changes can strain relationships and make it difficult for family members to intervene and help resolve the drinking problem.

The 15 most common warning signs of a health problem...

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The 15 most common warning signs of an unhealthy liver

9. You go out of your way to hide your alcohol.

Most alcoholics sip drinks discreetly from a bottle in the car or at their desk. They often drink alone. This secretive behavior is probably the biggest red flag of all, as it indicates a deep-rooted addiction and a refusal to acknowledge the problem.

For those who were finally able to see things clearly, the bad ultimately prevailed for far too long. Regaining control once lost has proven to be very difficult on your own.

If you or someone you care about has alcohol problems, go to a recovery center near you or seek professional advice from a trusted doctor. Early intervention can help prevent or mitigate the negative effects of alcohol on the liver and overall health.

It's important to consider taking steps to protect your liver if you continue to drink alcohol.
I recommend considering supplementation to ensure your liver is functioning optimally.

***For those who don't want to give up alcohol but know that you need to protect your liver***

ATTENTION:

For those who know they want to drink less but don't want toStop completely

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