{"version":1,"type":"rich","provider_name":"Libsyn","provider_url":"https:\/\/www.libsyn.com","height":90,"width":600,"title":"High Functioning Alcoholism Is the Workplace Problem Nobody Talks About with Sarah Allen Benton","description":" In this eye-opening episode of Transform Your Workplace, host Brandon Laws sits down with Sarah Allen Benton, licensed mental health counselor, treatment program owner, and author of Understanding the High-Functioning Alcoholic: Breaking the Cycle and Finding Hope. Together, they unravel one of the most misunderstood issues affecting modern professionals and workplaces today: high\u2011functioning alcoholism. Sarah shares her personal journey to sobriety, the psychology behind addiction, and the cultural and workplace systems that keep high achievers hidden in plain sight. She offers practical guidance for leaders and HR professionals on creating healthier work cultures, supporting employees in recovery, and recognizing silent struggles before they escalate. This conversation is raw, insightful, and essential for anyone committed to fostering a workplace where people can truly thrive. This is a powerful conversation that every workplace leader, team member, and caring human should hear. Key Timestamps 00:02 \u2014 Brandon welcomes guest Sarah Allen Benton to discuss high\u2011functioning alcoholism. 00:39 \u2014 How high-functioning alcoholism hides in plain sight. 01:53 \u2014 What defines an alcoholic vs. a high-functioning alcoholic. 02:43 \u2014 The danger of craving, obsession, and loss of control. 03:19 \u2014 Sarah\u2019s personal story: from early drinking to \u201cfunctioning\u201d success. 05:04 \u2014 The strict rules high-functioning alcoholics create to justify drinking. 06:15 \u2014 Reaching a breaking point and the failed attempts to control alcohol. 07:03 \u2014 Sobriety begins: the moment things had to change. 08:20 \u2014 The internal motivators that pushed Sarah to recovery. 09:17 \u2014 The illusion of \u201cnot hitting bottom\u201d and why accountability matters. 10:43 \u2014 Why Sarah believes the workplace is full of high-functioning alcoholics. 12:06 \u2014 The harmful stereotype of the \u201cchronic severe alcoholic\u201d and why it misleads us. 13:37 \u2014 How workplace culture and performance expectations keep problems hidden. 15:05 \u2014 The legal field and professions with high rates of alcohol use disorder. 16:28 \u2014 How alcohol becomes normalized in workplace cultures. 17:20 \u2014 Why alcohol-centered workplace events can be harmful. 18:03 \u2014 Rethinking workplace wellness: burnout, alcohol, and healthier alternatives. 19:26 \u2014 Younger generations drinking less\u2014what it means for culture. 20:20 \u2014 How alcohol-focused events impact employees in recovery. 22:42 \u2014 Respecting personal choices: why some people don\u2019t drink. 23:18 \u2014 The moments and seasons that make sobriety hardest. 25:22 \u2014 What happens in the brain: genetics, dopamine, and self-medication. 28:42 \u2014 When alcohol stops \u201cworking\u201d and the fear that follows. 29:01 \u2014 Talking to kids about alcohol and family risk factors. 31:54 \u2014 Shame, guilt, and the stigma surrounding alcoholism. 35:47 \u2014 Building pride in recovery and finding support. 36:50 \u2014 What leaders and HR can do to support employees struggling or in recovery. 39:18 \u2014 The first step someone can take if they\u2019re questioning their alcohol use. 41:14 \u2014 Where to find Sarah\u2019s work and additional resources. A QUICK GLIMPSE INTO OUR PODCAST Podcast: Transform Your Workplace, sponsored by Xenium HR Host: Brandon Laws In Brandon's own words: \u201cThe Transform Your Workplace podcast is your go-to source for the latest workplace trends, big ideas, and time-tested methods straight from the mouths of industry experts and respected thought-leaders.\u201d About Xenium HR Xenium HR is on a mission to transform workplaces by providing expert outsourced HR and payroll services for small and medium-sized businesses. With a people-first approach, Xenium helps organizations create thriving work environments where employees feel valued and supported. From navigating compliance to enhancing workplace culture, Xenium offers tailored solutions that empower growth and simplify HR. Whether managing employee relations, payroll processing, or implementing impactful training programs, Xenium is the trusted partner businesses rely on to elevate their workplace experience. Learn more: https:\/\/www.xeniumhr.com\/ Connect with Brandon Laws LinkedIn: https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/in\/lawsbrandon Instagram: https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/lawsbrandon About: https:\/\/xeniumhr.com\/about-xenium\/meet-the-team\/brandon-laws Connect with Xenium HR Website: https:\/\/xeniumhr.com\/ LinkedIn: https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/company\/xenium-hr Facebook: https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/XeniumHR Twitter: https:\/\/twitter.com\/XeniumHR Instagram: https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/xeniumhr YouTube: https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/user\/XeniumHR ","author_name":"Transform Your Workplace","author_url":"http:\/\/xeniumhr.libsyn.com","html":"