New Delhi, April 19 -- FBI director Kash Patel's "excessive drinking" has raised alarms inside both the bureau and the White House, with multiple officials describing him as increasingly "paranoid" about being fired amid concerns over his personal conduct and leadership. The report by The Atlantic said Patel briefly panicked earlier this month after a technical glitch locked him out of an internal FBI computer system. Believing he had lost his job, Patel panicked and called aides to say that the White House had fired him. It later turned out to be a technical malfunction, but the episode nevertheless spread through the FBI and US Congress, prompting confusion about who was running the agency and reinforcing perceptions among officials that Patel is deeply worried about losing his job. Current and former officials said Patel's anxiety and "paranoia" is not misplaced. Senior administration figures have already discussed possible replacements, and media reports earlier this month named Patel as on a "list" of officials that the White House was planning to fire following the ouster of attorney general Pam Bondi. A central concern about Patel among FBI and Trump administration officials that has also made headlines previously is Patel's alleged excessive drinking. Officials cited in the report said he is known to drink heavily at private clubs in Washington and during weekend trips to Las Vegas, sometimes to the point of obvious intoxication. The report said that the FBI has had to reschedule morning briefings and meetings to later in the day because Patel had been drinking late into the night the previous day. According to the report, members of Patel's security detail have on several occasions struggled to wake him while he was behind locked doors because he appeared intoxicated. In one incident, officials requested "breaching equipment" after Patel became unreachable. The report also describes Patel as erratic, frequently absent from headquarters and deeply suspicious of colleagues. While some White House officials are said to be discussing possible replacements, President Donald Trump reportedly continues to back Patel because he has targeted Trump's personal and political adversaries. Patel dismissed the allegations, calling the report false and threatening legal action. White House officials also defended him, praising his performance and rejecting the report....