Some alcoholics truly believe this, as being intoxicated helps them feel more confident in their abilities, while others are intentionally using it as a cover for the amount they drink. Both residential and outpatient day treatment programs are available for those in recovery. Since people with high-functioning AUD can be on the milder spectrum How to Tell When Alcohol Is Affecting Your Relationships of the condition, the earlier treatment happens, the more it may be possible to avoid a progression. It can also ultimately lead to relationship difficulties as well as legal and financial problems.
“Mental health care is critical for achieving long-term success in overcoming AUD,” says Elhaj. “Always approach a loved one from a place of support and desire to help them, instead of leading with judgment or anger,” says Omar Elhaj, MD, a senior medical director at LifeStance Health. “In some families, drinking too much is seen as comical, not a big deal, or a must during celebrations,” she adds. Consequently, many people may not realize their drinking has become a genuine problem. “For example, you may notice your spouse drinking more beers at dinner, sleeping less and less, and increasingly on edge well before they start missing workdays,” Grawert adds.
Dangers of High-Functioning Alcoholism
Acknowledging that there is a problem is the first step towards recovery. If you have an addiction to alcohol and are tired of its negative impacts on your life, contact a treatment provider today to explore your treatment options. The earlier an intervention is sought, the better the outcomes for many people.
These individuals may unconsciously encourage or enable the alcoholic’s behavior by allowing the alcoholic to avoid the negative consequences of destructive drinking. Whether you have an alcoholic spouse, partner or other loved one, you may be wondering how to help. High-functioning alcoholics can benefit from having an at-home support system before, during and after any form of treatment for their addiction.
Researchers cited further risk factors, such as having a child under 18 and at home, having depression, and having fewer social interactions due to the pandemic. 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. According to the NIAAA, the majority of people with an AUD can benefit from some form of treatment. 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). While their appearance may not be any different and they can still fulfill their responsibilities, you’ll start to see a pattern develop of turning to alcohol to cope with family, work or personal issues. 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.
How to Treat High-Functioning Alcoholism
Relating to other people with substance abuse issues may help someone break through denial and begin to recover. If you are living with a high-functioning alcoholic, you may be more likely than someone living outside of the household to notice their seemingly benign drinking habits. Consider having an open and honest discussion with your loved one about their alcohol use and encourage them to discuss it with a counselor or their primary care doctor. 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. While the appearance of their drinking may seem functional, there might be hidden consequences as a result of their alcohol use disorder.
What are the risk factors for high-functioning AUD?
For example, a family history of alcoholism or a stressful environment. They might also isolate themselves from other people to spend time drinking alone. Sometimes, only the people close to them will notice their problematic drinking patterns. Although they can live a perfectly normal life, they can still benefit from professional help.
Individual therapy, combined with marriage or family counseling, can strengthen your self-esteem and help you build a healthy, sober relationship. They may try to quit independently, but the withdrawals are too unpleasant or severe. Therefore, they continue to drink to keep the withdrawals at bay, and the cycle continues. There are many ideas as well as misconceptions about being an addiction interventionist. I sat down with Dan Lynch, a board registered interventionist, to learn more.
- By comparison, a non-functioning alcoholic just seeks out alcohol without as much regard to such limitations.
- The most in-depth care allows you to live full time at a treatment facility.
- They’ll binge drink on weekends to ensure they have no obligations the following day.
Impact of Being a Functional Alcoholic
But maybe they drinka few glasses of wine each night to help them fall asleep. Or, they get bombed every weekend but don’t skip a beat at their demanding job. If you’re trying to help someone you love, speaking to them openly and honestly can be one of the best things to do early on. The person may not realize there’s such an issue that others have noticed, and a conversation free of judgment can bring about more awareness.