Alcohol in a white collar. 1/5 of addicts are high -voltage alcoholics

We often associate alcoholics with people who are intoxicated with alcohol in a park on a bench or on the street. Meanwhile, one in five addicts belongs to the group of so -called Highly functioning alcoholics – warns prof. Marcin Wojnar from the Medical University of Warsaw.

The specialist has been researching addiction for many years, he is most interested in pathogenesis and the course of addiction. During the recent “Polish woman in Europe” conference, he explained that highly functioning alcoholics are people who drink excessively, but are doing great at work, even achieve success, they can also maintain good relationships with family and friends.

Prof. Wojnar, head of the Department and Psychiatry Clinic of the Medical University of Warsaw, estimates that this is a large group in our society, because one in five addicts belongs to the group of highly functioning alcoholics. In our country, the number of people addicted to alcohol is estimated at about 600,000, and 2.3 million are harmful people.

In the case of harmful drinking, it is not only about the fact that too frequent reaching for alcohol is unfavorable to health. Excessive drinking is also risky for the drinking person and his surroundings.

– Risky drinking is drinking potential alcohol related to the formation of health damage, e.g. driving, performing work at height or servicing mechanical devices under the influence of alcohol – emphasizes the professor.

A specialist who is the president of the Polish Society of Addictions warns that people drinking at least two portions of alcohol per day, and four portions for men are exposed to such a risk (one portion is 10 g of pure alcohol).

This group also includes high -functioning alcoholics, who usually do not consider themselves addicted or even drinking excessively. This denying that they may have a problem with excessive drinking, is considered one of the main symptoms of alcohol addiction.

Prof. Wojnar, also acting as the Vice President of the European Society of Biomedical Research over alcoholism (Esbra), draws attention to five warning signals indicating high -concentrating alcoholics.

– They limit drinking to specific situations, time and type of alcohol – says the specialist. This means that such people assume as the principle that they do not drink during the week (for example, so that they can function at work), they only drink in a pub and only beer (because alcoholism is more associated with drinking vodka).

– They ask for members and friends to justify and replace them. That the spouse would justify absence from work or to lend them money when they spend too much on drinking – explains the specialist.

High -instant alcoholics prefer spending their free time alone, also drink alone and do not invite friends home. – They do not keep their word and do not fulfill their personal obligations. For example, they forget about anniversaries, they will not discontinue family celebrations because of drinking or hangover – adds prof. Wojnar.

The specialist points out that such people often struggle in detecting with the problem and mental, because drinking alcohol can be a way to deal with depression, anxiety or stressful situations.

According to the Statista platform, transferring market data and consumer in the world, a statistical Pole drinks about 10.9 liters of so -called pure alcohol. Prof. Marcin Wojnar, however, is suspected that this consumption is slightly larger by 1 or even 2 liters. (PAP)

Zbigniew Wojtasiński

ZBW/ ZAN/