What Is High Functioning Alcoholism? Stigma, Signs, Support

You could similarly describe somebody as a “low-tolerance alcoholic” or a “withdrawal-free alcoholic”, though in the context of the severe nature of alcohol use disorders, the distinctions seem insignificant. When I was in the middle of my own addiction, my drinking could always https://perjaka88.com/the-alcohol-depression-connection-symptoms/ fit the description of functional alcoholism. It’s common for those struggling with AUD to use drinking as a way of self-medicating.

Frequent Drinking

The first major factor in this is tolerance – the need to drink ever greater amounts of alcohol in order to feel intoxicated. I would amphetamine addiction treatment drink almost every day after getting off work – typically several beers or glasses of wine. On the weekends, I would get drunk with my friends at bars, at the pool, or at social gatherings. But my alarm would go off early Monday morning, and even if I had a hangover, I would make it into work on time. 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.

Treatment Options for Functional Alcoholics

Just because someone goes about their work doesn’t mean they are not exhibiting or reeling from the effects of alcohol. Without intervention, functional alcoholics often push loved ones away while their addiction continues to worsen. Instead, it is an outdated term that was used to describe a person with alcohol use disorder (AUD) who presents as though their alcohol use has no adverse impact on their life or the lives of those around them. “Functioning” is subjective and limiting when describing a person living with alcohol use disorder.

Functioning Alcoholic and Other Types Of Alcoholics

Additionally, individuals can opt into alcohol rehab programs that offer varying levels of care depending on the person’s unique needs. The NIH has also found that nearly half of all high-functioning alcoholics are smokers. While there is no known cause of any type of alcohol use disorder, including high-functioning alcoholism, some mitigating factors can play a role in developing an alcohol-related issue. According to the National Institutes of Health (NIH), the typical high-functioning alcoholic is a middle-aged, well-educated person with a stable job and a family. Our writers and reviewers are experienced professionals in medicine, addiction treatment, and healthcare. AddictionResource fact-checks all the information before publishing and uses only credible and trusted sources when citing any medical data.

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Despite the appearance of functionality, functioning alcoholics may still suffer negative physical and mental health effects due to their drinking habits, even if they are not overt 8. The difference is that they’ve developed strategies to hide or rationalize the extent of their drinking. 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. At first glance, a functional alcoholic may not appear to have a problem, as they may be successful in their careers, social circles, and family life. However, alcohol addiction affects more than just outward responsibilities—it impacts physical health, mental well-being, and long-term stability. Over time, functional alcoholics face serious consequences, including severe health issues, emotional instability, and progressive addiction.

• Ignoring high-functioning alcoholism can have serious consequences, both physically and emotionally.
• They become more dependent on alcohol as a way to avoid dealing with their issues through therapy or counseling and find the root of their issue.
• When someone’s life looks normal on the surface, they may not realize how much damage alcohol is causing.
• In this article, we’ll detail why high functioning alcoholics exist, what the long-term dangers are, and what steps their loved ones should take now.
• It’s considered to be a progressive condition, meaning it starts gradually and eventually leads to the inability to stop drinking despite experiencing negative effects.

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• Alcohol addiction can have a devastating effect on someone’s life, but how long it takes someone’s drinking problem to affect their daily functioning will differ from person to person.
• The serene environment of Resilience Behavioral Health allows you to focus on healing without outside distractions, guided by a team of seasoned professionals dedicated to your well-being.
• These facilities conduct intensive therapy sessions that help patients get to the root cause of alcoholism.

A person at this stage continues to work despite heavy drinking and builds tolerance to alcohol over time. However, they need to drink more to maintain the same feeling of relaxation. They are very secretive and may seem outwardly stable while struggling emotionally with their addiction in private. You will be doing them an invaluable service if you can find a way to convince them that they have an alcohol addiction and begin recovery in an outpatient setting or rehab center.

Seeking Help for Functional Alcoholism

However, as functioning alcoholics drink more regularly, they develop a higher tolerance. 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. Functional alcoholics are often intelligent, hardworking and well-educated. Their professional status or personal Functioning Alcoholic: Signs of a High-Functioning Alcoholic success can make it hard to approach them about having a “problem” with alcohol. High-functioning alcoholics will rarely admit that they have a problem.

• Issues with work, school, and relationships are common among people living with AUD.
• But functional alcoholism extends beyond gray area drinking, where your alcohol consumption doesn’t meet criteria for an alcohol use disorder.
• 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.
• This causes their reliance on alcohol to strengthen, and it becomes an important part of their daily routine.
• The stereotypes of “rock bottom” don’t always apply to every person who struggles with alcohol addiction.

Research from the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA) suggests that about 19-20% of people with alcoholism fall into this high-functioning category. They break the stereotype, which is why family members, friends, and even the individuals themselves might not recognize the drinking as a serious problem. But behind closed doors, the foundation is cracking, and the struggle is very real. For a functioning alcoholic, drinking isn’t just about socializing—it’s a way to handle stress, anxiety, or emotional pain. They may drink in response to challenges at work, family problems, or just as a way to numb negative emotions.

What Part Does Denial Play in Alcoholism?

A bottle of liquor in the office is the sign of a powerful executive, and a fine vintage the sign of class and prestige. These portrayals create a culture of alcoholism, normalizing excessive alcohol use and letting people think that their own drinking isn’t a problem. Perhaps you recognize that you drink too much – but you don’t necessarily experience the devastating effects that so many people equate with alcoholism. They may feel shame about their drinking problem, be afraid that revealing it will hurt their work or family, or not know where to go for help. Finding alcohol that a loved one has hidden away or was sneaking can be a sign of functional alcoholism.