High-Functioning Alcoholics Signs and Treatment

RósGlas provides bespoke individualised one-on-one treatment and rehabilitation for addictions and emotional health concerns in the comfort of luxurious accommodation and private surroundings in Ireland. Don’t assume you know what they’re going through and don’t sound accusatory. Show your concern and suggest that you try to solve the problem together, but don’t allow them to make excuses or justify their drinking. And pretend nothing is wrong, normalize the drinking behavior, or perhaps even enable the habit by buying alcohol or covering for the person. They might also brag that they’ve stockpiled liquor so that there’s always enough for everyone. Such comments and behaviors can be a deflection tactic to hide a drinking habit that’s out of control. This is because such individuals, while keeping up the facade, are struggling with strong cravings for alcohol and therefore drink at the first chance they get.

Maybe you drink heavily and experience a total loss of emotional control, marked personality changes, and possibly even blackouts. A functional alcoholic, on the other hand, appears to escape unscathed. Even if the person in question doesn’t present high functioning alcoholic any outward signs of addiction, they may be burdened by the same problems as a heavy drinker unable to function as well. In fact, there is a class of alcoholism called high-functioning wherein a person appears to have it together on the outside.

Risk Factors For Alcoholism

Compared to a roller coaster, this type of emotional management can take a toll in the long run. While in social settings, the high-functioning alcoholics could be social and outgoing, behind closed doors, they want to be alone and drink. When alcoholics aren’t engaged in their “social responsibilities,” they might spend their time at a bar or home. A high-functioning alcoholic might precisely prohibit individuals from being in their homes. This is because they don’t want to have their drinking habits exposed to the world. There are many rehab centers and support groups, both online and in-person, for people who are working to achieve sobriety.

For some people, AUD may also mean more than physical dependence, but a stress reliever or source of psychological escape. Since people with high-functioning AUD can be on the milder spectrum of the condition, the earlier treatment happens, the more it may be possible to avoid a progression. Although you might not hit all the criteria for the condition, and the impact on your life may appear minimal, AUD is a chronic and progressive condition. This means the negative impact on your life will likely grow, and the condition will not get better on its own without treatment.

Risks of excessive alcohol use

Both binge drinking and alcohol use disorder can have health consequences. Learn the difference between the two here, plus how to get support. This is why psychological counseling, such as talk therapy, is important if you’re recovering from AUD. This can help you learn new coping skills so you can turn to other behaviors instead of drinking in order to live a healthier life. In addition, according to the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism , alcohol misuse like binge drinking and heavy drinking can increase your risk for developing alcohol use disorder . Examples include sweating, shaking, or feeling sick to your stomach.

By the time it starts becoming apparent, denying the existence of the problem is easier than dealing with it. Even when prepared for the abstract concept of quitting, few alcoholics want to say goodbye to their favorite substance. For all of these reasons and more, encountering denial is commonplace among those with alcohol use disorder, functional alcoholics in particular. Until you check into rehab, avoid bars, liquor stores, and other places where alcohol and drinking abound. Finally, be willing to admit that you have a problem and firmly resolve to make a change in your life. Thousands of people have conquered alcoholism and you can do it too. Unfortunately, high-functioning alcoholism, as a secret or undiagnosed disorder, can be more dangerous than obvious, debilitating alcoholism.

What are the risk factors for high-functioning AUD?

Beth completed medical school, residency, and fellowship at Northwestern University, where she continues to serve on the faculty as a member of the Department of Family and Community Medicine. She has extensive experience in addiction medicine at all levels of care, and her clinical interests include integrated primary care and addiction medicine, harm reduction, and medication-assisted treatment. Before you speak to your partner, rehearse what you are going to say. During this step, let your words come from a supportive and loving place, instead of a judgemental and accusing one. Don’t make up stories about why they aren’t able to attend the event you both were supposed to attend.

Remember, we are seeing the world through a perception that has been distorted and the identity that follows. Daily drinking can have serious consequences for a person’s health, both in the short- and long-term. Many of the effects of drinking every day can be reversed through early intervention. If someone close to you is a high-functioning alcoholic, it’s just as important to seek support for yourself as it is to get help for your loved one. You likely have questions about how to deal with an alcoholic, or how to help an alcoholic. Self-help organizations, church groups, and 12-step programs like Al-Anon and Alateen offer advice, hope and encouragement to people involved with functioning alcoholics.

Stage an intervention

It is true that high functioning alcoholics do not fit the popular stereotype of a ‘down and out drunk’. However the health effects of consuming large daily amounts of alcohol will catch up with the individual – sooner or later. Before defining what a functional alcoholic is, it’s vital to understand the impact of alcoholism on the lives it touches. A functional alcoholic can drive a marriage to its breaking point, spiral a life into chaos, or ruin a career. Even though functional alcoholics’ lives seem to be together, the harm can happen fast or gradually. Regrettably, in many cases, other people in their lives affirm their denial by agreeing with their excuses and encouraging them to drink more. Spouses and family members of high-functioning alcoholics sometimes makes excuses for them as well and continue to keep alcohol at home.

You can learn more about how we ensure our content is accurate and current by reading our editorial policy. The first step for most people is detox, which means quitting alcohol. A detox may take place at a hospital or inpatient facility, such as rehab. It is important to note that these signs may not be obvious to a loved one or friend. This is because people can be skillful at hiding the signs of an issue with alcohol. Jeffrey Juergens earned his Bachelor’s and Juris Doctor from the University of Florida.