What Is a “Functioning Alcoholic”? Signs, Dangers, Help

Drinking doesn’t just affect the individual; it affects the entire family unit. A ciprofloxacin oral route side effects often consumes as much alcohol as someone with an alcohol use disorder. Excessive drinking or an alcohol use disorder can be successfully managed with treatments, such as therapy and medication, to help you to modify your behaviors and help your brain adapt to the absence of alcohol.

Do People With Alcohol Use Disorder Drink Every Day?

The most well-known support group is Alcoholics Anonymous, but there are many other 12-step programs. The incredibly important first step is to recognize your need for help and move past denial. Drinking rarely causes them to miss work and other obligations (although it does happen occasionally).

What Is a “Functioning Alcoholic”?

A “functional alcoholic” (or “high-functioning alcoholic”) isn’t a formal medical diagnosis, but a term used colloquially to describe a person who is dependent upon alcohol but can still function in society. The term “currently-functioning” may be used since it’s not likely they will remain functional (and not misuse alcohol) indefinitely. If you’re the loved one of a functional alcoholic, you know what it feels like to worry as these patterns begin. You tread lightly around the mention of their drinking habits, but always wonder if they’re taking things too far.

You deserve excellent care and a rewarding life in recovery.

This is of particular concern when you’re taking certain medications that also depress the brain’s function. A treatment center will attempt to verify your health insurance benefits and/or necessary authorizations on your behalf. We cannot guarantee payment or verification eligibility as conveyed by your health insurance provider will be accurate and complete. Payment of benefits are subject to all terms, conditions, limitations, and exclusions of the member’s contract at time of service.

What Are the Signs?

A person who appears to be managing their alcohol intake but is experiencing issues with their relationship to alcohol has what is now known as an alcohol use disorder (AUD). For anyone who’s concerned about a loved one’s drinking, please find a community of support like Al-Anon. Whether your loved one agrees or not, their actions affect you and you deserve outside support. Other alternatives include group or individualized therapy, consulting educational resources and books, or attending online support groups. If cravings and withdrawal have become severe, it’s important to consult medical professionals. Alcohol withdrawal can produce a withdrawal effect known as delirium tremens that can prove life-threatening.

Social drinking

You might not recognize how much you drink or how many problems in your life are related to alcohol use. Listen to relatives, friends or co-workers when they ask you to examine your drinking habits or to seek help. Consider talking with someone who has had a problem with drinking but has stopped.

Detox under medical supervision is a safer and more effective option than attempting to detox without help. The longer you live with AUD, the higher your risk of developing complications that can lead to death. According to 2020 data by the CDC, nearly 30,000 people died that year from alcoholic liver disease (cirrhosis). It can also ultimately lead to relationship difficulties as well as legal and financial problems. Your doctor may also conduct imaging tests if other laboratory studies come back abnormal.

They may perform well at work, have a pristine appearance and enjoy an active social life. While they may seem OK to the outside world, it’s likely that warning signs and symptoms are appearing elsewhere. People who are in a codependent relationship with an alcoholic prioritize the needs of the alcoholic over their personal needs. They often suffer a variety of mental health issues, such as low self-esteem and depression. If you’re suffering from the effects of codependency, it may be time to take a break or distance yourself from the relationship.

Though this so-called “minor” addiction can be hard to identify, the right strategies can help even the most when good tv goes bads recover and proceed with a more healthy lifestyle. However, even high-functioning alcoholics can’t keep drinking problems a secret forever. Key warning signs that people are alcoholics include always ordering alcohol when they go out or struggling to control how much they drink. Boyfriends, girlfriends or partners of functional alcoholics may also experience emotional or relationship problems.

If you have AUD but are not connected with treatment, the risk of progressing to more severe AUD is much greater. People who are close to a person with AUD may need support to understand how to help their loved ones. If needed, your doctor may also order blood tests to check your liver function. Since you only need to fulfill 2 or more of the DSM-5 criteria within the last year to be diagnosed with AUD, you might still be fully contributing to your home life, job, and other areas of your life. You could have AUD even if you are able to keep a relatively normal life if you fulfill at least two of the DSM-5 criteria for the condition.

1. Functional alcoholism can be overcome with time and treatment, but one cannot wish it away or take command of it through willpower alone.
2. If people with high functioning AUD do not get treatment, the disease may progress to a point at which their dependence significantly impacts their day-to-day lives.
3. Drinking may start to interfere with work, or the ability to hold a job, and may disrupt family life.
4. They may perform well at work, have a pristine appearance and enjoy an active social life.

Thus the data was therefore not a representative sample of men and women, and it also ignored the 25% of alcoholics who never seek or receive treatment. Speaking about the issues you’ve been facing may seem small, but it’s an important step towards bringing your addiction under control. A support network of loved ones around you will be very important during the recovery process.

No matter what stage of alcoholism someone is currently experiencing, there is hope to get through their alcohol addiction. Medically-supervised detox followed by an inpatient treatment program can increase the likelihood of successful recovery and help people regain control. For more information on the stages of alcoholism for functioning alcoholics, contact us today. Alcohol use disorder (AUD) can be a very common mental health condition.

Support groups can also help people who are codependent on a high-functioning alcoholic. Co-Dependents Anonymous is a 12-step program for people who are trying to recover from a codependent relationship. Other support groups, such as Al-Anon, are available for friends and family members who need help dealing with an alcoholic’s issues. High-functioning alcoholics can be moms, dads, husbands, wives, brothers or sisters. The type of relationship you have with the person with alcoholism often affects how his or her disease affects you. Around 20% of alcoholics, the functioning alcoholic drinks more than the average person, but doesn’t always binge drink.

However, some people may use the phrase to refer to individuals who are experiencing an AUD but are still able to successfully function in their work and personal lives. A high functioning alcoholic is an informal term that refers to someone who appears to maintain a successful professional and personal life while drinking excessive amounts of alcohol. Drinking is often covert, and the person may deny they have any issue with their drinking. While social drinking is a common part of our culture, it’s different from “responsible drinking” which emphasizes moderation and safety.

The impact depends on when a person started drinking, how long they’ve been drinking, and how often and how much they drink. Treatment may involve standard therapies used to treat other mental illnesses, including cognitive behavioral therapy pregabalin abuse in combination with other drugs (CBT), which is commonly used to treat depression, among other disorders. Too much alcohol affects your speech, muscle coordination and vital centers of your brain. A heavy drinking binge may even cause a life-threatening coma or death.