Here Are Ways to Recognize High-Functioning Alcoholism

Binge drinking, social pressures, family history, mental health issues, and excess alcohol use can all increase your risk of developing an alcohol use disorder. HFAs typically do not realize the extent to which their drinking affects others. The fact that they are « functioning » and able to go to work, excel in academics, provide for their family and still drink excessively feeds their denial. In reality, a high-functioning alcoholic may be experiencing a great deal of stress while they maintain their drinking and all the dressings of a socially accepted lifestyle.

How do I know I’m a functioning alcoholic? Know the signs and symptoms

According to a government survey, about 20% of alcoholics in America are high-functioning alcoholics. They take care of their families, always pay their bills, and avoid trouble with the law. In fact, their families and friends might not even know they are alcoholics if they show no signs of having a substance use disorder. Some high-functioning alcoholics will even keep their alcoholism a secret or fail to recognize it themselves. At some point, a high-functioning alcoholic has tried to quit drinking but failed in their attempt. This pattern is often repeated, and you may notice that they go through periods where they drink heavily and then make an attempt to quit.

How to approach your loved one

People with severe cases might look like the stereotypical alcoholic. But with people who have mild or moderate alcohol use disorder, the signs might https://rehabliving.net/ not be so obvious. They pay their bills, hold down good jobs and maintain relationships with family and friends while they continue to drink.

What Percentage of Alcoholics are Functioning or High Functioning Alcoholics?

Consider not drinking yourself (at least temporarily), says Kennedy. You, too, might realize that your relationship with alcohol is negatively affecting your life. And you might find that you feel healthier and happier without it. In short, “there’s not a single image of AUD,” points out Sabrina Spotorno, a clinical social worker and alcoholism and substance abuse counselor at Monument. « Functioning alcoholic » is an outdated term that in the past was used to describe people with alcohol use disorder who appear to meet their everyday responsibilities. However, alcohol use disorder is diagnosed based on a set of criteria that aren’t always seen by others.

Watch: signs and symptoms of alcoholism explained

We’re here 24/7 to help guide you or your loved on through rehab and recovery. Submit your number to receive a call today from a treatment provider. Treatment providers are available 24/7 to answer your questions about rehab, whether it’s for you or a loved one. Submit your number and receive a free call today from a treatment provider. You probably have a stereotypical image of someone who is an alcoholic. You might picture someone who drinks all the time, rarely has a day without a hangover and often can’t recall what happened the night before.

They Experience Shame Over Their Behavior

A support network of loved ones around you will be very important during the recovery process. America’s National Institutes of Health estimate that as many as 20% of all people suffering from alcohol addiction are high functioning. If any of the factors below are familiar with you or someone you love, you might be at higher risk of becoming a functioning alcoholic. There are many rehab centers and support groups, both online and in-person, for people who are working to achieve sobriety. If you’re ready to get started, contact a treatment provider today to learn more about your treatment options. Since drinking alcohol is a normal activity, high-functioning alcoholics often blend in with their friends and co-workers who also drink regularly, but who are not alcoholics.

1. Sarah Allen Benton, M.S., LMHC., LPC, is a licensed mental health counselor and author of Understanding the High-Functioning Alcoholic.
2. If you are concerned about your loved one’s drinking, it can be helpful to join a support group such as Al-Anon.
3. However, they are likely struggling with uncontrollable cravings, unsuccessful attempts at quitting, and obsessive thoughts about their next drink—all hallmarks of an alcohol use disorder.
4. Treatment programs at The Recovery Village include a full spectrum of alcohol recovery services, from alcohol detox to rehab, aftercare and sober housing.

People should note that the term “high functioning alcoholic” is no longer in use within the medical community. This is due to the potentially stigmatizing language around the word “alcoholic”, which may also prevent someone from seeking help and support. To cope with your stress, you may want to attend a support group for family and friends of people with alcohol use disorder (such as Al-Anon) or consider therapy. These behaviors are potential signs that a person is unable to control their cravings for alcohol or they’re trying to resolve withdrawal symptoms by drinking, both of which are symptoms of AUD. The way people with alcohol use disorder present in their day-to-day lives varies significantly. Media portrayal of people with alcohol use disorder is often stereotypical and does not accurately reflect the complexity of alcoholism as a disease.

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. This is because high-functioning alcoholics are often in denial about their addiction, so they are less likely to seek treatment. Since they’re not stereotypical alcoholics, they do not know or they will not admit that they have a serious problem with alcohol.

If you have AUD but are not connected with treatment, the risk of progressing to more severe AUD is much greater. In addition, since the impact of AUD may not be as obvious, the person may be unable to recognize the severity of their condition in these early stages. People who are close to a person with AUD may need support to understand how to help their loved ones.

Even though they continuously go through this cycle, they still refuse to seek treatment. This is part of their personality where they feel like they can handle their drinking on their own without getting help from others. When they know other people are going to be around, high-functioning alcoholics may sneak a drink early, drink before going out to the bar or club, or drink alone. This hidden drinking and secretive lifestyle is a huge red flag when it comes to alcoholism and shouldn’t be ignored.

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. There is research showing that about 19.5 percent of people with AUD are middle-aged, well-educated, and have stable jobs, homes, and families. This could include people with high-functioning AUD, but these criteria are not definitive characteristics.

And prolonged alcohol use can lead to mental health conditions like anxiety and depression. With continued alcohol use, steatotic liver disease can lead to liver fibrosis. Eventually, you can develop permanent and irreversible scarring in your liver, which is called cirrhosis. Express an openness to talk about their drinking, provide support and establish boundaries. Make it clear to him that you will not support their drinking or unhealthy behaviors, and you will not share in the consequences.

But when you ingest too much alcohol for your liver to process in a timely manner, a buildup of toxic substances begins to take a toll on your liver. Heavy drinking can also lead to a host of health concerns, like brain damage, heart disease, cirrhosis of the liver and even certain kinds of cancer. There’s no shame in accepting you need treatment for alcohol addiction.

That is why alcohol detox and alcohol withdrawal treatment is administered by medical professionals. Functional alcoholics differ from those who struggle with alcoholism, primarily in how alcohol affects their lives. If you’re the loved one of someone in either group, it’s important to know how to deal with an alcoholic effectively if you want to help them get well. https://rehabliving.net/adderall-uses-dosage-side-effects-safety-info/ A functional alcoholic often consumes as much alcohol as someone with an alcohol use disorder. Sometimes an HFA many become defensive and express that they are unwilling to seek help for their drinking. He or she may not believe that they are alcoholic and believe that they require more concrete evidence of being alcoholic in order to even consider getting sober.

A high functioning alcoholic is an informal term that refers to someone who appears to maintain a successful professional and personal life while drinking excessive amounts of alcohol. Drinking is often covert, and the person may deny they have any issue with their drinking. Left unmanaged, compulsive drinking behaviors can get progressively worse, with their negative impact on your life becoming ever more apparent.

If you’re concerned about a loved one’s relationship with alcohol, it’s important you approach the topic with compassion and at a time when they’re sober. ‘High-functioning alcoholics’, or ‘functioning alcoholic’, are colloquial terms for someone who’s dependent on alcohol but is still able to function relatively effectively in their daily life. They’ll be able to continue doing many of their daily tasks like going to work and looking after family members.

Despite saying they’re going to have “just one drink,” high-functioning alcoholics are unable to limit their alcohol consumption. They tend to drink heavily while at a party or bar, and when it comes time for last call, they quickly down their drink then run to the bar to order another. Also, high-functioning alcoholics will finish the drinks of others and never leave a drink on the table. Just because someone is high-functioning doesn’t mean they’re not at risk of hurting themselves or others as a result of their drinking.

Early intervention and treatment can help reduce the severity of the disease and prevent further physical or mental complications from developing. More recently, a 2020 study found that people who used alcohol to cope with the COVID-19 pandemic were more likely to drink alone and drink to excessive amounts. Researchers cited further risk factors, such as having a child under 18 and at home, having depression, and having fewer social interactions due to the pandemic. People who are concerned about their drinking habits, and those who are showing signs of an AUD, may wish to reach out for help and support.