The alcoholic is then presented with a plan of care, including a proposal of consequences if they decide to refuse. For instance, the alcoholic may be denied visitation rights or may be faced with a marital separation if he decides not to seek help. An alcoholic in denial may become extremely manipulative, tearful, angry or hostile when faced with the need for alcohol treatment. An experienced intervention specialist can help the participants prepare for these reactions so they can respond effectively. It can lead to liver disease, pancreatitis, some forms of cancer, brain damage, serious memory loss, and high blood pressure. It also makes someone more likely to die in a car wreck or from murder or suicide.
- They may not appear like they have a problem despite having a higher tolerance.
- High-functioning alcoholics can benefit from having an at-home support system before, during and after any form of treatment for their addiction.
- According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), 95,000 people lose their lives every year due to excessive alcohol use.
Are You or a Loved One a Functioning Alcoholic? Know the Signs
Although many believe they can go through this process alone, it’s best to detox in an addiction treatment center. Although uncommon, many people experience medical emergencies during detox, and having immediate high functioning alcoholic access to assistance is vital. To avoid these conversations, you or your loved one might hide their alcohol consumption. For example, you may consume excessive alcohol before attending an event.
Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT)
These therapies are available one-on-one or in small groups in an inpatient or outpatient setting. Some people with AUD may attend an inpatient recovery program, in which they stay at a facility for at least 28 days to receive concentrated treatment in a controlled environment. People who are concerned about their drinking habits, and those who are showing signs of an AUD, may wish to reach out for help and support.
Is Alcohol Use Disorder a Mental Illness?
At the time, they may not seem extremely intoxicated, but when asked about their behavior the next day, they’re unable to remember what happened. Increasing difficulty and conflict in family and social relationships is common as the person’s mood and thought process become more erratic and influenced by their addiction. As a result, their follow-through on responsibilities and commitments becomes less reliable. Multiple areas of a high-functioning alcoholic’s life are greatly affected by the addiction. 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.
Signs & Symptoms Of A High-Functioning Alcoholic
Everyone’s road to recovery differs; treatments can occur in an inpatient or outpatient medical settings, individual or group sessions with therapists, or other specialty programs. As a mental health condition, AUD refers to alcohol use that feels distressing or beyond your control. Many mental health-centered treatments for AUD can help recovery, from motivational interviewing to mindfulness training. For people who also experience alcohol dependence, the first step in AUD treatment may involve medical support. Still, only a small number of people with AUD need medical care during this process. When you’re living with a high-functioning alcoholic, your own health is at stake as well as the welfare of your loved one.
Eventually, a functional alcoholic will find that their alcohol addiction causes them serious problems. If they never show external consequences, they may battle with their physical and mental health. Functional alcoholics are thought to comprise up to 19% of the U.S. population of people with alcohol use disorder. Most started drinking in their late teens, but don’t become addicted to alcohol until they are in their late thirties.
Use Insurance to Start Treatment
If it’s time to seek help, contact us to learn about our treatment approach and facilities. We have a long history of providing successful substance abuse treatment at our Palmer Lake, Colorado facilities. Many alcoholics take part in activities that they have no recollection of the next day – such as dancing on bars, going home with strangers, doing drugs, having sex, and more.
- Get professional help from an online addiction and mental health counselor from BetterHelp.
- There is a cumulative impact that can lead to an increase in stress that builds up over time.
- The evaluation consists of 11 yes or no questions that are intended to be used as an informational tool to assess the severity and probability of an AUD.
- Both residential and outpatient day treatment programs are available for those in recovery.
Seeking help
What I mean by that is, when you’re a high-functioning alcoholic, you can stay intact with some facet of your senses while also blocking your anxiety. I’m a high-functioning alcoholic, and I have been for a few years now. As alcoholism progresses and increases control over someone’s life, the first significant area to suffer is that of recreational interests, participation in which decreases and often stops completely. 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). To others, the person may not look like they have a problem with alcohol. They may appear normal to those around them, other than the perception that they are drinking more.
Signs of a High Functioning Alcoholic
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. Visible signs of alcoholism may become apparent during middle-stage alcoholism. The overwhelming need for the body to operate with alcohol in the system begins to put the disease in the driver’s seat. For a person who drinks occasionally, this adaptation is distinct and temporary. But for a person who drinks heavily, the body adapts the majority of the time.
