Due to some people’s ability to mask their AUD, it is difficult to find research on those that are high functioning. Drinking is often covert, and the person may deny they have any issue with their drinking. “AddictionHelp.com is helping to make recovery available to EVERYONE!”
Treatment for High Functioning Alcoholism
- However, regular social drinking can lead to dependence, including the development of high-functioning alcoholism.
- While the term “alcoholic” was used in the past but is now viewed as outdated and stigmatizing.
- A person who appears to be managing their alcohol intake but is experiencing issues with their relationship to alcohol has what is now known as an alcohol use disorder (AUD).
- Drinking excessive amounts of alcohol can impact short- and long-term physical and mental health.
This article explores the meaning of the term high functioning alcoholic, looks at the signs and symptoms of alcohol use disorder (AUD), how people can help friends and family, and more. High-functioning alcoholics can benefit from having an at-home support system before, during and after any form of treatment for their addiction. Binge drinking, social pressures, family history, mental health issues, and excess alcohol use can all increase your risk of developing an alcohol use disorder.
Drinking As A Reward
High-functioning alcoholics may exhibit signs of alcohol dependence while still managing to fulfill their professional and personal responsibilities. Get professional help from an online addiction and mental health counselor from BetterHelp. High-functioning alcoholics effectively live a double life wherein they appear highly functional on the outside but are anxious, depressed, angry, and preoccupied with their next opportunity to drink on the inside.
They still want to feel the buzz or numb out from their problems for a while, so they will begin drinking more as their tolerance to alcohol increases. While their appearance may not be any different, and they can still fulfill their responsibilities, you’ll start to see a pattern develop of turning to alcohol to cope with family, work or personal issues. Their professional status or personal success can make it hard to approach them about having a “problem” with alcohol. In many cases, they may not even fully recognize the severity of the issue themselves because their outward success seems to contradict the stereotype of alcoholism. However, the façade of control and stability typically masks an underlying problem with alcohol that can be just as severe and damaging as more overt forms of alcoholism.
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Alcohol abuse increases the risk of physical and emotional violence, as well as substance abuse in other family members. Intervening in the addictive behavior may be seen as a threat to the family’s financial security — even if the family must put up with emotional neglect or physical abuse. Consciously or unconsciously, the codependent may help the alcoholic to continue drinking to maintain the status quo. Many spouses, significant others, parents and children of high-functioning alcoholics fall into the trap of codependency, in which they protect the alcoholic from the consequences of the disease. Because high-functioning alcoholics can “manage” their everyday lives, the misconception is that they are somehow immune to alcohol’s negative effects.
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The best cure for codependency is a strong, healthy sense of self. The outward stability only postpones the point at which the person recognizes their need for professional intervention. Liver damage is the most talked about physical consequence and that is a concern almost immediately. They may also withdraw from social situations and find excuses to miss events or optional commitments where drinking is not available or possible. As time goes on and tolerance increases, they may attempt to hide the growing problem, and a growing number of empty bottles or cans, from friends and family. They may use alcohol “just to get going” or to “take the edge off.”
High Functioning vs Non-High Functioning Alcoholics
For the functional alcoholic, the denial runs deep, because they High-functioning alcoholic have yet to encounter significant negative consequences. One of the main reasons that people who misuse alcohol seek help is the eventual negative consequences of their alcohol consumption. Could your drinking have slowly increased to the point that you have become alcohol dependent without even knowing it?
Because their lives don’t fit the common stereotype of addiction, high-functioning alcoholics may go years (or even decades) without seeking help. High-functioning alcoholics will do what they can to drink while appearing sober. These people appear successful and healthy despite a possible underlying alcohol use disorder. Unfortunately, many high-functioning alcoholics tend to believe they don’t need treatment.
The participants in an intervention could include the alcoholic’s spouse or partner, children, parents, friends, coworkers, employer, friends and other individuals who have been affected. An intervention is a planned meeting in which the concerned parties confront the alcoholic about their behavior. You likely have questions about how to deal with an alcoholic or how to help an alcoholic. Individual therapy, combined with marriage or family counseling, can strengthen your self-esteem and help you build a healthy, sober relationship. The U.S. Bureau of Justice Statistics noted that nearly 60% of violent incidents against a domestic partner or family member were committed under the influence of alcohol. Ultimately, “high-functioning” is a deceptive descriptor because the condition is still alcoholism — and it is still damaging.
Encourage ongoing support systems
But if someone in your life has three or more alcoholic beverages per day (two or more for women), they are consuming more than the recommended amount. Because these types of users appear stable and mostly unaffected by their drinking, the steps to effectively confront a functioning alcoholic and work with them on their behaviors can be even more difficult. Nearly 20% of alcoholics are highly functional and well-educated with good incomes. These individuals may unconsciously encourage or enable the alcoholic’s behavior by allowing the alcoholic to avoid the negative consequences of destructive drinking. Functional alcoholics are often in deep denial about their problem.
- While some struggle with their addiction, others can live successful lives.
- Doctors hope that the new definition will help identify severe cases of alcoholism early, rather than when the problem is fully developed.
- Recognizing the early warning signs of relapse in a high-functioning alcoholic is crucial for timely intervention.
- A “functional alcoholic” (or “high-functioning alcoholic”) isn’t a formal medical diagnosis, but a term used colloquially to describe a person who is dependent upon alcohol but can still function in society.
They may rationalize their alcohol use, view heavy drinking as normal, or deflect concerns from friends and loved ones by citing their ability to remain productive. Early intervention and treatment can help reduce the severity of the disease and prevent further physical or mental complications from developing. Many people with AUDs decide to have further treatment and support, such as attending group therapy, individual counseling, or support groups. Recovery from alcohol use disorder can be a lifelong process.
A high-functioning alcoholic is someone who meets clinical criteria for an alcohol use disorder but can continue to succeed in areas such as employment, academics, family obligations, and social life. Medical professionals now use alcohol use disorder (AUD) as an umbrella term to describe all alcohol-related issues, including high-functioning alcoholism. However, these individuals still have to deal with the effects of alcohol abuse, including mental and physical health problems. “High-functioning alcoholic” is a term used to describe someone suffering from alcohol dependency or addiction but still able to function relatively normally.
Your provider can also perform tests to see if you have developed any medical concerns from alcohol misuse and recommend counseling, rehabilitation, and support groups like Alcoholics Anonymous or SMART Recovery. If you are concerned about your loved one’s drinking, it can be helpful to join a support group such as Al-Anon. In addition to the health effects of having an alcohol use disorder, it can also take a toll on relationships. A functional alcoholic often consumes as much alcohol as someone with an alcohol use disorder. They often appear physically and mentally healthy.
The term high functioning alcoholic is no longer in use in the medical community. People should note that the term “high functioning alcoholic” is no longer in use within the medical community. Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) and SMART Recovery are support groups specifically designed for people in recovery from an alcohol-related condition. However, alcohol withdrawal is potentially life-threatening, so your doctor or healthcare provider may recommend starting with a medical detox program. In some cases, high-functioning alcoholics will experience alcohol withdrawals once they quit drinking.
Nicki’s long-term career goals include advancing in leadership roles within Virtue Recovery Center which is a quickly growing substance use disorder treatment facility. That’s why we’re in-network with numerous private insurance companies, ensuring that your journey to recovery is supported from the start. Gaining insight into these symptoms enhances understanding addiction relapse stages, paving the way for recovery. Frequent mood swings, increased secrecy about drinking habits, and a reliance on alcohol to cope with stress are key indicators.
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. This is because people can be skillful at hiding the signs of an issue with alcohol. This is due to the potentially stigmatizing language around the word “alcoholic”, which may also prevent someone from seeking help and support.
High-functioning alcoholics will rarely admit that they have a problem. Functional alcoholics differ from those who struggle with alcoholism, primarily in how alcohol affects their lives. Under the surface, this form of alcoholism can cause severe psychological and emotional damage to the alcoholic and also their loved ones.. Alcoholism can take a devastating toll on a person’s physical health, emotional well-being, personal relationships and professional life. Unfortunately, even when functional alcoholics begin to recognize that they have a drinking problem, they still resist reaching out for help.
