High-Functioning Alcoholic: Symptoms, Risks & Treatment

They may show up to their child’s events and seem to have good relationships with their children. But they may choose to drink at home instead of spending time with their children. Or they may drink in front of their children, increasing their risk of becoming an alcoholic when they grow up. A high-functioning alcoholic often does such a good job of hiding their issues that other people don’t know the issues exist. Functional high functioning alcoholic alcoholics may not even realize they’re actively concealing symptoms of their disorder. If your husband does make the decision to pursue treatment for high-functioning alcoholism, it is an important step, but there is still hard work ahead for both of you.

How to Recognize Signs & Symptoms of a High-Functioning Alcoholic

Health is the next important area to be negatively affected by drinking. It can take many months or years for addiction-related health problems, such as liver damage and cancer risk, to manifest. However, once they do, they can turn into chronic and life-altering health issues. High-functioning alcoholics may begin to show up for work with a headache, digestive issues, other illness, unusual grumpiness, or appear “worse-for-wear,” especially on Monday mornings. An individual suffering from alcohol addiction will often defend their drinking by claiming they’ve “earned” it by working hard or they are “just blowing off steam” and enjoying their time away from work. There is ongoing anxiety and fear about their addiction being revealed and this creates a tremendous amount of stress, which can drive them to drink even more.

Ways to Approach the High-Functioning Alcoholic in Your Life

• High-functioning alcoholics are skilled at rationalizing their behavior.
• For example, you may not be able to contact a loved one for a period of time.
• They take care of their families, always pay their bills, and avoid trouble with the law.
• 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.
• When you speak to them, try to come from a place of compassion and empathy rather than judgment.

Whether others recognize their drinking issues or not, their body can’t deny their alcohol dependence. https://ecosoberhouse.com/ Continued alcohol abuse can lead to cirrhosis of the liver, stomach ulcers, kidney failure, heart disease, and more. Because high-functioning alcoholics rarely show any external signs of alcohol addiction, they are at risk of some serious mental and physical health challenges.

Seeking Support From Others

They can assess your symptoms and offer next steps, whether this is treatment or other methods of support. Groups like Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) or Drinkline offer free, confidential, over-the-phone advice and support for people who are concerned about their drinking. Blackouts can be a dangerous sign of heavy drinking amphetamine addiction treatment and could lead to harmful consequences.

• To learn more about addiction treatment and recovery resources, please contact a Recovery Advocate at The Recovery Village Atlanta Drug and Alcohol Rehab today.
• 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.
• Instead, the DSM-5 has established AUD as the term to replace previous stigmatizing terms such as alcohol dependence, alcohol abuse, and alcoholism.
• It is important to note that these signs may not be obvious to a loved one or friend.

• An experienced intervention specialist can help the participants prepare for these reactions so they can respond effectively.
• Healthy drinking habits usually involve drinking in a social setting—with your friends, your partner, your family, and your loved ones.
• For example, they drink only after work, never during work-related functions or in the office.
• ‍Many high-functioning alcoholics will consume alcohol everyday or several times a day.

There are empathetic, actionable ways to support someone with an alcohol use disorder (AUD) who may be stuck in denial. When a loved one has a drinking problem, it’s hard to know how to help, especially if they are in denial. Family members may need to hold an intervention for their loved one with alcoholism. Professional interventions allow family members to communicate constructively in a safe environment. An individual who is suffering from addiction is more likely to socialize with others who drink and attend social events where drinking is encouraged (i.e., at bars, clubs, or cocktail parties).

Treatment Can Be Life Changing. Reach out today.

Life is a precious gift, and there’s no reason anyone should waste the beauty of it on addiction. What makes a functioning alcoholic different is that they believe their ability to maintain a normal life keeps them from being an alcoholic. They may be fantastic parents, great students or promising employees, but they still need alcohol to get through their daily routine. A typical alcoholic is less able to keep their problem with alcohol separate and hidden.

Seeking professional treatment for alcohol addiction is a crucial step towards recovery. Specialized substance abuse treatment programs provide structured rehabilitation, including counseling and evidence-based practices. 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. Whether you have an alcoholic spouse, partner or other loved one, you may be wondering how to help.