It’s typical to believe an alcoholic is a person who stumbles around, barely gets through the day and can’t hold down a steady job. However, a high-functioning alcoholic can do all of this and much more. If you believe your loved one is relying on alcohol for any need, it may be time to take a closer look at whether or not they fall into the category of a functioning alcoholic.
#3: They Live Double Lives
Once health issues arise, it becomes harder for individuals to keep up with their responsibilities. Their physical and mental well-being begins to decline, making it nearly impossible to maintain the illusion that everything is okay. As alcohol dependency worsens, the risk of encountering legal issues increases. Functioning alcoholics may eventually drive under the influence, get into altercations while drunk, or engage in other risky behaviors that put them at odds with the law. A DUI, arrest for public intoxication, or committing criminal activity while drunk can be a major wake-up call, signaling that their alcoholism has spiraled out of control despite how they may feel. But it is still alcohol dependence, and for many alcoholics it is only a matter of time before their addiction becomes dysfunctional.
What are the complications of AUD?
Many times, alcoholism like this becomes a coping mechanism, helping to reduce high stress and becoming a crutch. As a result, many will fight very hard with you about getting help or recognizing a problem even exists. One key way to link a functioning alcoholic to their addiction is by looking at the quantity of consumption. Men who consume 10 or more drinks per week and women who consume at least 7 alcoholic drinks per week are considered alcoholics, according to the U.S. What makes a functioning alcoholic different is their ability to not just drink but to still maintain what seems like sobriety.
Getting help for functioning alcoholism
- For instance, the alcoholic may be denied visitation rights or may be faced with a marital separation if he decides not to seek help.
- The type of relationship you have with the person with alcoholism often affects how his or her disease affects you.
- Because of this appearance, their problem doesn’t seem as severe as other types of alcoholism.
- Unfortunately, being able to drink and still maintain their responsibilities doesn’t mean a person is free of alcoholism.
Because they keep drinking, they don’t feel any withdrawal symptoms. “Functioning” is subjective and limiting when describing a person living with alcohol use disorder. 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, high functioning alcoholic and more.
Watch: signs and symptoms of alcoholism explained
The picture of someone struggling with alcohol abuse disorder is often one where people struggle to live life normally as they battle a dependency on alcohol. For many people struggling with addiction this is true, but for someone with functioning alcoholism this isn’t the case. Alcoholic parents may be physically present but emotionally distant.
- Relating to other people with substance abuse issues may help someone break through denial and begin to recover.
- Treatments, like those listed below, can help you to overcome your dependency on alcohol and put you on path to a healthy future.
- When you’re ready to seek help, or if you have questions about how to live with an alcoholic, we’re here for you.
Is Alcoholism a Mental Illness?
This is part of our ongoing commitment to ensure FHE Health is trusted as a leader in mental health and addiction care. Unlike a traditional alcoholic, the functioning alcoholic is better at hiding mistakes. Yet the action of hiding those mistakes is a sure sign that they’re an alcoholic. If you or a loved one is struggling with addiction, our expert team is here to guide you every step of the way.
If you think that you or someone you know may be drinking too much, ask your doctor about getting help – whether it’s from a therapist, psychiatrist, or other addiction specialist. Organizations such as the American Society of Addiction Medicine can guide you to help, too. The classic picture https://ecosoberhouse.com/ of someone with alcohol use disorder is someone who always drinks too much and whose life is falling apart because of it.