But if the above describes you, you may be dealing with functional alcoholism. Although alcohol may not seem like it has created any problems for you or your loved one yet, it is important to beat addiction at the source. Essentially, a high-functioning alcoholic is a person who is addicted to alcohol but has yet to really suffer from the negative consequences of their drinking. A high-functioning alcoholic may experience some consequences related to their drinking, but they are not enough to limit their ability to maintain their responsibilities. Working alcoholics can still hold down a job and possibly excel in that job.
Tolerance
The reasons for this vary, of course, and will not bother most people beyond a bit of annoyance. However, becoming irrationally upset at an event that traditionally serves alcohol—a wedding, New Year’s party, or sporting event—is one of the recognizable behaviors of an alcoholic. In some cases, they will make passive-aggressive comments about the lack of alcohol or joke about how much more fun the experience would be with alcohol. In the worst cases, they might even become aggressive, confronting people about the lack of drinks. Even if you are aware that your drinking has become a problem, it’s common to worry about what others might think. In a 2015 study, almost 29% of participants didn’t seek treatment due to stigma or shame.
- If you recognize signs of alcoholism in yourself, you should seek help from medical professionals such as a psychiatrist, primary care doctor or therapist.
- They may express that they are deeply offended that someone might question their drinking.
- Eventually, all functioning alcoholics break and, in some cases, it’s too late to get help.
- Whether you or someone you know is struggling outwardly with AUD or managing to hide the signs of a high-functioning alcoholic, getting help is absolutely essential.
- ‘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.
Members of the group discuss their stories, struggles, fears, and hopes while gaining mutual peer support. There are some characteristics that make high-functioning alcoholism noticeable, but sometimes they are hard to spot. Consider speaking to your primary care provider about your concerns or attending a support group as a first step.
Seeking Treatment at Ocean Hills Recovery
Over time, tolerance may become so high that it takes a lot of alcohol to produce the effects. People may drink heavily most or all days as their body develops dependence. Once someone has developed dependence, they cannot simply choose to stop drinking. They typically require comprehensive treatment and continuing support to stop. Second, many people with this form of alcoholism are actually using it to help them with mental illness.
AUD symptoms
They can manage different aspects of their life — be it their job, family, or home. Whether you are struggling with addiction, mental health or both, our expert team is here to guide you every step of the way. High-functioning alcoholics will do what they can to drink while appearing sober.
If your loved one is in denial or doesn’t want to seek treatment, they’re not alone. According to the 2019 high functioning alcoholic National Survey on Drug Use and Health,about 14.5 million people have an AUD, and yet only 7% received treatment that year. 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. Recovery from substance use disorders (SUDs) is an ongoing process and those fortunate to have long-term recovery share one thing in common—an ability to recommit. Denial is a common defense mechanism used by functioning alcoholics to protect their ego and avoid admitting they have a problem.
How to Tell If You or a Loved One Is a High-Functioning Alcoholic
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.
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. Dietary Guidelines define moderate drinking as one drink per day for women and up to two drinks per day for men. Binge drinking is defined as having four or more beverages in one drinking episode for women and five or more beverages for men (a typical drinking episode is around two hours).
How Does an Alcoholic or Other Substance Abuse Affect the Household?
A high-functioning alcoholic is someone who, despite their alcohol dependence, appears to perform well in their personal and professional life. They often excel in their careers, maintain relationships and handle responsibilities effectively. However, this seeming functionality masks their underlying struggle with alcohol addiction, making it harder for others to recognize the problem. Many HFAs develop a high tolerance to alcohol, requiring more to achieve the same effects, which can accelerate dependency and physical harm over time.
Addiction rehab
Peer pressure and easy availability of alcohol can increase the risk of developing an AUD. Negative life experiences, such as grief, abuse, or living in poverty, can also increase the odds. For people with functioning AUD, seeking treatment as an outpatient may help them reduce disruptions to their work or family life.
We Care About Your Privacy
- This can make it more difficult for others (and even the individual themselves) to recognize a problem.
- They may hold down a good job, have a nice home, and be actively involved in their community.
- The main risk of high-functioning alcoholism is the potential for a worsening condition.
The Recovery Village at Palmer Lake offers comprehensive addiction treatment for drug and alcohol addictions and co-occurring mental health conditions. Fear of being “found out” often keeps high-functioning alcoholics from seeking help. Many medical facilities and mental health professionals employ strict privacy measures, which can alleviate concerns about damaging their reputation. Many high-functioning alcoholics might benefit from programs specifically designed for busy professionals. Intensive outpatient programs (IOPs), partial amphetamine addiction treatment hospitalization programs (PHPs), or telehealth therapy can offer specialized support that fits around work and family commitments. In many ways, the most significant danger for high-functioning alcoholics is that they can go on for years—sometimes decades—without facing obvious life-altering consequences.
