Jun 14 2010
Drinking Isn’t Affecting My Job – Or Is It?
There is a common misconception that alcoholics are easily identified based on their appearance, where they live, their job status, or because they look or act “impaired”. When you factor in slipping job performance, and/or increasingly showing up late or calling in sick, it may seem easy to point to someone as having a drinking problem.
But what of those who have become adept at hiding their drinking habits behind their life and/or career successes, or are what is commonly referred to as a high functioning alcoholic (HFA)?
At first, high functioning alcoholics in executive positions may believe they have their drinking under control because it isn’t obviously affecting what they do. They still make all the big decisions, conduct important meetings and keep the stock holders happy – today. In an instant all this can change.
As time goes on and excessive drinking continues, they may not notice that they’re not as sharp in their thinking, or notice memory lapses or that crucial tasks and planning may be forgotten or mishandled. Others will. At that point, it is not just your health or your family’s well-being on the line, but a company’s reputation and bottom line.
For an executive in this position, they may feel they’re in a “no win” situation.
On the one hand, they can admit they have a problem, seek help and take time off away from the company to participate in an in-patient alcohol treatment program. They know this can still affect the company or organization they represent in a negative way. Stock prices can fall, confidence in their abilities and past decisions can be questioned while away, and they’re not able to address them directly.
On the other hand, they’ve considered attending AA meetings, but whether they fear recognition or for any other reason, decide it just isn’t an option for them.
But they know if they don’t get help, chances are they will still continue to drink, leaving their company, family and health at risk.
Fortunately there are confidential, out-patient treatment programs available to help those who may feel there are no other options. Freedom From Alcohol® is an effective, discrete treatment program that not only helps curb the compulsion to drink and identify your drinking triggers, but just as importantly, works with you to create a roadmap to achieve the life you want to regain or to have in your personal and professional life.
This is more a general reaction. Just to say you are doing good Dr Pearlman by presenting all this information. We started a triptych post on our blog regarding the metabolism of alcohol/ethanol. Maybe it can contribute to your work Very best Regards
First off, no matter how you slice it, drinking affects your job. You leading a lie, your thinking and behavior isnt tied to doing what’s right because you’ve got issues including health, shame, hidden agendas and poor ethics. Alcohol isnt necessary to live as a human, but when become an alcoholic it feels like it. Inpatient is great, but if you cant enroll go the other route and go to an out-patient program with a a built in follow written plan to prevent relapse. Do it.
wow…I can relate so much to this. when I was active in my drinking I would of course drink on my way to work which was a 2 hour commute as well during breaks and at lunch. my level of responsibility is high and make million dollar decisions daily. I was always what I considered a highly functioning alcoholic but it truly started to spiral down without me realizing it my last couple months and now as I speak openly with a few co-workers of what I was going through they refer to incidents that I, supposedly a highly function alcoholic have no recollection of whatsoever. Thank God I did not make a multi-million dollar mistake and just wounded my pride. Thank you very much for sharing this!
You hit the nail on the head here, just because you are functioning in your job does not mean you are not drinking problematically, and anyway if it’s not a problem now it will be later.
I know, because this was me.
You bring up a necessary point when connecting work, family and personal issues and relating them with the effects alcohol abuse. Too often we forget that we cannot compartmentalize life very effectively. Thanks for great points!