These aren’t just bad hangovers; they are clear signals that the body has become physically dependent, often requiring professional addiction treatment to manage safely. Aside from the consequences on the body, functional alcoholism can have dire consequences on a person’s mental health. Functional alcoholics use alcohol to nullify or numb feelings of anxiety, depression and stress. Over time, these feelings intensify to the point of becoming unmanageable and often lead to developing mental health disorders. The National Institute of Health (NIH) recognises “functioning alcoholics” as one subtype of people with alcohol functioning alcoholic dependence (or alcoholism). Their research shows that almost 20% of alcoholics in the U.S. fit into the “functional subtype.” People in this group are generally middle-aged and well-educated, with stable jobs and healthy family lives.
For a long time, she didn’t think she had a problem, and even when confronted, she didn’t see a problem with her drinking. Even if you don’t, the chronic drinking outside of business hours will take a toll on your productivity when you are sober. Liver damage is the most talked about physical consequence and that is a concern almost immediately. Alcoholics can go on to develop heart, respiratory and gastrointestinal disorders.
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These questions aren’t a diagnosis, but they can help you reflect honestly on your relationship with alcohol and whether it may be affecting you more than you realize. Deadlines start slipping, motivation drops, or productivity declines—often explained away as stress or burnout rather than linked to drinking. Mood swings, irritability, defensiveness, or risky behavior may emerge when alcohol is involved, even if sobriety looks composed and controlled. Even if you consume small amounts throughout the day, it will cause your alcohol tolerance to build up slowly. While some struggle with their addiction, others can live successful lives. Dylan’s skills are high stress tolerance, critical thinking, great work ethic, good communication skills, and problem solving.
Can Alcohol and Drug Addiction Be Cured?
Many people with AUDs decide to have further treatment and support, such as attending group therapy, individual counseling, or support groups. If your loved one shows signs of functional alcoholism, don’t make excuses for their behaviour and confront them. Make sure to have a clear stance on the situation, but also remain compassionate.
A Complete Guide to Recovery from Alcohol Addiction
- If it’s time to seek help, contact us to learn about our treatment approach and facilities.
- The two strangers are entirely different, yet both have one thing in common; they are craving their next alcoholic drink.
- If any of the factors below are familiar with you or someone you love, you might be at higher risk of becoming a functioning alcoholic.
- Functioning drinkers will rarely appear to be drunk, and will be conscious about their appearance on social occasions.
- During this time, the damage to their physical health and emotional well-being accumulates, making eventual recovery efforts more complicated.
- According to Everyday Health reports, functional alcoholics are more likely to suffer from major depression.
The residential stay can be helpful as you take a break from the environments, or workplace, that encourage you to drink. Give yourself the best chance at recovery by going to a rehab, or addiction treatment, today. It can be very hard for functioning alcoholics to realise they have a problem, with or without others’ input. If you are drinking more alcoholic units than recommended, you may have a problem. Or perhaps you find yourself dependent on alcohol to get through the day – you likely have a problem.
This makes it important to seek medical treatment and peer support in your recovery process. Instead, the DSM-5 has established AUD as the term to replace previous stigmatizing terms such as alcohol dependence, alcohol abuse, and alcoholism. However, this and other related misnomers such as “functional alcoholic” are no longer used because of the potential stigma that can prevent someone from seeking help. Living with a functioning alcoholic can have a serious effect on your own health and wellbeing. You may be constantly concerned about the person, worn down by their behaviours or anxious about what they may do next.
Alumni support programs provide ongoing connection through support groups, events, and check-ins after formal care ends. Staying engaged in a recovery community significantly reduces relapse risk and helps individuals build a sustainable, alcohol-free life. Inpatient treatment provides 24/7 clinical care in a residential setting, offering the highest level of structure and support.
Recognizing the signs of high-functioning alcoholism in professionals early can prevent health decline, job risk, and strained relationships. What separates functional alcoholism from casual drinking is not how someone looks, but how alcohol is being used. Alcohol may become a primary way to cope with stress, anxiety, social situations, or emotions.
Initially, they intend that they will just have one or possibly two, Sober living house and they may sincerely wish to believe this and tell others in your company to reaffirm this belief. But one will always turn into more as they will inevitably find an excuse to continue drinking, whether it be another round, chatting to a new person, or an offer on beverages such as ‘happy hour’. Whatever the reason, they are likely to find excuses to continue drinking. Outpatient treatment is more flexible than inpatient treatment and is typically best for those with mild cases of alcoholism.
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. 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. Ongoing alcohol abuse is like a riptide that eventually captures and controls anyone who gets swept up in it. Alcohol addiction takes many forms, and high-functioning doesn’t mean harmless. If drinking has become your go-to way of coping (or if you feel like you’re managing a private battle no one else sees) it may be time to reach out.
- Anxiety, depression, and emotional numbness are common, as is poor-quality sleep that leaves someone feeling constantly tired.
- One of the most dangerous aspects of functional alcoholism is the belief that things aren’t “bad enough” to change.
- With more than 40 million Americans suffering at the hand of addiction, it is more important than ever that we address this crisis head-on.
- One of the first things to notice is if they start drinking alone, or in secret, perhaps in private moments when no one is around to question or observe them.
- The U.S. Bureau of Justice Statistics noted that nearly 60% of violent incidents against a domestic partner or family member were committed under the influence of alcohol.
Moreover, the illusion of control can make it more difficult for friends, family members and colleagues to recognize a problem. “High-functioning alcoholic” is not a formal clinical diagnosis found in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5). Instead, it is a colloquial term used to describe someone who meets the criteria for an alcohol use disorder yet still manages to keep up appearances.
How Do I Find the Right Walk-In Alcohol Rehab in Colorado?
Because outward signs of impairment are minimal, the problem often goes unnoticed or unchallenged for years. Officers are often faced with life-threatening situations daily, and sometimes they may witness more disturbing aspects of humanity. Likewise, health care workers may see some heart-breaking moments in their profession, such as sudden death and deterioration from disease. Lawyers and executives are responsible for important outcomes; therefore, people in pressured occupations may turn to alcohol to cope with their emotions. Inpatient treatment programs are also referred to as residential treatment programs. They are usually the first step in the recovery process and include medical detoxification.