Heavy drinking also increases the chances that an individual will die in a car accident or from a murder or suicide. Furthermore, heavy drinking also increases the risk of domestic violence, child abuse or neglect, and fetal alcohol syndrome. There is also an increased risk for mental health issues such as depression and anxiety to develop. It is important to understand that high functioning alcoholic these people’s achievements are earned in spite of, and not because of, alcohol use. Regardless of personal success, prolonged alcohol abuse carries serious health risks and poses many negative consequences. Unfortunately, a combination of denial and a lack of support from their family and friends often prevents high-functioning alcoholics from ever getting treatment.

• Daily drinking can have serious consequences for a person’s health, both in the short- and long-term.
• Someone who manages their alcoholism while seemingly leading a normal life, hiding or minimizing behaviors on the extreme end of the condition.
• Many alcoholics succeed at work and in school and have great relationships.

All of these are incredibly useful for understanding the reasons a person has been drinking and to help them fully engage in the recovery process. Therapeutic approaches like Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) help people develop skills that address and change negative thought patterns and behaviors. Others such as Relapse Prevention Therapy teach ways to avoid triggers and cravings that can derail sobriety and cause a person to begin drinking again. Though it can be difficult for those considered to be a functional alcoholic to envision life without drinking alcohol regularly, many others before them have recovered successfully. It is challenging to seek help and work through the program, but it is worth the reward of living a happy, healthy, and productive life in recovery from an alcohol use disorder. The severity of an alcohol use disorder (AUD) is determined by the number of criteria you meet.

How to Recognize High-Functioning Alcoholism

Certain factors may increase your risk of developing an alcohol problem. Binge drinking, social pressures, family history, mental health issues, and excess alcohol use can all increase your risk of developing an alcohol use disorder. The understanding of a high-functioning alcoholic is the picture of my personal recovery journey. I began working within the field with little knowledge of the disease itself.

• High-functioning alcoholics are frequently not viewed as alcoholics by their loved ones, by society at large, or even by themselves.
• An HFA may frequently not be viewed as an alcoholic by loved ones and society.
• We’ll explore this next before we examine how to identify and help a high-functioning alcoholic in your life.
• Clinically, for an individual to be diagnosed with alcohol abuse disorder they must meet certain criteria, or in other words, they must display certain symptoms.
• An intervention is a planned meeting in which the concerned parties confront the alcoholic about their behavior.

However, just because you don’t fit the mold of what you consider a typical alcoholic doesn’t mean you don’t have a serious problem that can be dangerous and even deadly. Take a closer look at your relationship with alcohol and understand the signs of being a high-functioning alcoholic. All types of alcohol use disorder, including high-functioning alcoholism, are treatable. Treatment can be done through medications, therapy, support groups, or a combination.

Need help getting addiction treatment?

In some cases, a spouse or partner may use the term “high-functioning” to minimize the seriousness of their significant other’s alcohol addiction. It is important to seek help for alcohol abuse, as long-term alcohol use can lead to severe health problems and significantly impact a person’s quality of life. Though denial may be a barrier to seeking help, acknowledging the negative impact of their drinking on their lives can motivate high-functioning alcoholics to seek treatment. By addressing their drinking problem, individuals can improve their health and overall quality of life. Regrettably, in many cases, other people in their lives affirm their denial by agreeing with their excuses and encouraging them to drink more.

Please continue reading to learn how to recognize high functioning alcoholic signs and what to do to help such a person. When you think of an alcoholic, the picture that comes to mind is of an unkempt person with a drink in their hand whose life is falling apart. A person can appear perfectly normal and display none of the classic traits of an alcoholic and yet be abusing alcohol. Functional alcoholics often appear in total control socially, yet they may also spend extended spells drinking alone, whether at home or in bars.

What are the signs and symptoms?

Since high-functioning alcoholics don’t want others in their business, it’s common for them to prevent people from visiting their homes for fear of their drinking habits being betrayed. For some people, drinking regularly causes tolerance to build so that more and more alcohol is needed to deliver the same effect. At this point, the person concerned really doesn’t intend to get drunk, but once they start drinking, it typically continues to the point of no return.

Additionally, they may abstain from drinking during the week but binge drink on the weekends or after work. However, a person’s ability to drink and maintain their responsibilities does not mean they are free of alcoholism. At the “functioning” stage of their alcohol use, a person rarely misses work, though they may experience a dip in productivity as a result feeling hung over on a regular basis. Likewise, he or she has usually been able to maintain seemingly good relationships with family and friends.

Signs Of A High-Functioning Alcoholic

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. High-functioning alcoholics don’t tend to show signs of an AUD on the surface, making it difficult for loved ones to see that they have a problem and offer help. The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5) now use alcohol use disorder (AUD) as an umbrella term to describe all alcohol-related issues, including high-functioning alcoholism. “High-functioning alcoholic” is a term used to describe someone suffering from alcohol dependency or addiction but still able to function relatively normally. If you’re ready to seek treatment for alcoholism or would like to know more about your treatment options, American Addiction Centers (AAC) can help.

• A high-functioning alcoholic is a person with an Alcohol Use Disorder (AUD) who manages to maintain a career and relationships in their personal life.
• Over not that long, these accumulate and become catastrophic for social, mental, work, and inner life.
• If you need help now, please call our team today, we can offer help with our Orange County rehab partnerships and our sober living homes that can help keep you or your loved one committed to your sobriety.
• A functional, or working alcoholic might drink throughout the day, and never get so drunk that they can’t perform their regular duties.

While monitored by medical professionals, a high-functioning alcoholic can safely detox and have all needs met comfortably to prepare for a treatment program. Treatment itself is highly tailored to each patient’s needs and guided by an initial assessment. Learning how to live without alcohol is dependent on participating in a variety of evidence-based therapies and wellness activities. Sleep issues and sexual dysfunction can be results of high-functioning alcoholism, too.