4 ms·

High-functioning might contradict calling it a problem? From the stories I read about Christopher Hitchens, he seemed like the definition of an unrepentant alco

High-functioning might contradict calling it a problem? From the stories I read about Christopher Hitchens, he seemed like the definition of an unrepentant alcoholic and seemed to function quite well, but of course he died a bit young. I don't think many people are Christopher Hitchens though.

DangitBobby 4y ago
A friend of mine is a very talented and successful salesman. If he doesn't get some alcohol by 7 PM, his skin starts to crawl and he can barely keep it together. What do you call that? The disease isn't defined by any outcome other than alcohol consumption and dependence.
- hotpotamus 4y ago
  I don't know. Many of us live with disease of one sort or another; I was just saying that in my personal experience, while a 6-pack a day might seem like a lot to some, it's really not the depraved, want-to-die-alcoholic consumption level.
- orwin 4y ago
  I knew a functioning alcoholic too, until he died. At 35.
  - hotpotamus 4y ago
    From what?
    - orwin 4y ago
      He killed himself. To be exact: his was high functionning until he wasn't. From my understanding, he had a bad week (health troubles), which spiraled into a worse one at work. He took a month off, but was so nervous and on the edge that he beat his kid, and his ex-wife told him to put himself together or she would ask for full custody (basically you only see your child two weekend a week instead of half/half). Don't know what happened then (i had taken my distance since the divorce). The day before he had to go back to work (or the day after, not sure), he killed himself. [edit] This is my flawed understanding of the events. It probably did not happen like this exactly, most of it was discussions at the church and after the incineration (we usually have dinner with friends and family during those times where i live).
      - hotpotamus 4y ago
        I'm sorry to hear that. It seems to be a theme in this thread that it's hard to make a causal association with alcohol, and your friend would seem to illustrate this. I would think death via alcohol would mean alcohol poisoning or cirrhosis (apparently this took a friend of a friend of mine last month who worked as a bartender at a popular venue in town) or other health condition more easily related to alcohol abuse. Mostly I think unbinding basic health care in the US from employment would help with many issues. I don't know how people are supposed to be able to heal from illness while also putting in their efforts to a full time job.
nibbleshifter 4y ago
You can be alcohol dependant without it causing you a great deal of professional/personal issues. Your healths fucked though. Same goes for other drugs - I know a few people who are dependant on opiates or cocaine, but function just fine in society.

DangitBobby 4y ago

A friend of mine is a very talented and successful salesman. If he doesn't get some alcohol by 7 PM, his skin starts to crawl and he can barely keep it together. What do you call that? The disease isn't defined by any outcome other than alcohol consumption and dependence.

hotpotamus 4y ago
I don't know. Many of us live with disease of one sort or another; I was just saying that in my personal experience, while a 6-pack a day might seem like a lot to some, it's really not the depraved, want-to-die-alcoholic consumption level.
orwin 4y ago
I knew a functioning alcoholic too, until he died. At 35.
- hotpotamus 4y ago
  From what?
  - orwin 4y ago
    He killed himself. To be exact: his was high functionning until he wasn't. From my understanding, he had a bad week (health troubles), which spiraled into a worse one at work. He took a month off, but was so nervous and on the edge that he beat his kid, and his ex-wife told him to put himself together or she would ask for full custody (basically you only see your child two weekend a week instead of half/half). Don't know what happened then (i had taken my distance since the divorce). The day before he had to go back to work (or the day after, not sure), he killed himself. [edit] This is my flawed understanding of the events. It probably did not happen like this exactly, most of it was discussions at the church and after the incineration (we usually have dinner with friends and family during those times where i live).
    - hotpotamus 4y ago
      I'm sorry to hear that. It seems to be a theme in this thread that it's hard to make a causal association with alcohol, and your friend would seem to illustrate this. I would think death via alcohol would mean alcohol poisoning or cirrhosis (apparently this took a friend of a friend of mine last month who worked as a bartender at a popular venue in town) or other health condition more easily related to alcohol abuse. Mostly I think unbinding basic health care in the US from employment would help with many issues. I don't know how people are supposed to be able to heal from illness while also putting in their efforts to a full time job.

nibbleshifter 4y ago

You can be alcohol dependant without it causing you a great deal of professional/personal issues. Your healths fucked though. Same goes for other drugs - I know a few people who are dependant on opiates or cocaine, but function just fine in society.