5 Signs of a High Functioning Alcoholic And What To Do

Even if you are aware that your drinking has become a problem, it’s common to worry about what others might think. In a 2015 study, almost 29% of participants didn’t seek treatment due to stigma or shame. If your loved one is in denial or doesn’t want to seek treatment, they’re not alone. According to the 2019 National Survey on Drug Use and Health,about 14.5 million people have an AUD, and yet only 7% received treatment that year.

Private outpatient treatment

Intervening in the addictive behavior may be seen as a threat to the family’s financial security — even if the family must put up with emotional neglect or physical abuse. 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. Whether you have an alcoholic spouse, partner or other loved one, you may be wondering how to help.

• Therefore, they continue to drink to keep the withdrawals at bay, and the cycle continues.
• Even though they may want to stop, many functioning alcoholics often won’t know where or how to begin the process.
• People should note that the term “high functioning alcoholic” is no longer in use within the medical community.
• In terms of family life and friends, there is also the problem of “secondary” denial that loved ones may have about an HFA by not believing that they are “real” alcoholics.
• The presence of early exposure to alcohol and high levels of stress without effective coping mechanisms are additional risk factors that professionals consider when identifying high-functioning alcoholism.
• And you might find that you feel healthier and happier without it.

Consequences of Ongoing Functioning Alcoholism

Such groups can offer valuable support, encouragement, advice, and information. In the short term, alcohol use increases the risk for alcohol poisoning, fetal alcohol syndrome, accidents, injuries, violence, high functioning alcoholic and risky sexual behavior. Usually, it is only when their continued drinking becomes more painful than the prospect of going through the pain of alcohol withdrawal, will they finally reach out for help.

Frequent Performance Issues at Work or Other Functions

High-functioning alcoholics may also drink to cope with stress, exhibit withdrawal symptoms, and have a preoccupation with alcohol that interferes with their obligations. Despite these patterns, they often maintain a semblance of normalcy in their job performance and social activities. Many high-functioning alcoholics will tell you they don’t drink heavily. They may lie about how many drinks they had and become defensive when you say they have a drinking problem.

For this reason, it is hard to determine exactly how many people might have high-functioning AUD. However, there are individuals that meet the criteria for AUD but do not experience these impacts. Family members may need to hold an intervention for their loved one with alcoholism. Professional interventions allow family members to communicate constructively in a safe environment. It can be difficult to tell if your boyfriend, girlfriend or partner is an alcoholic.

Thankfully, the sooner you seek treatment, the better long-term physical health outlooks are. 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.

Dennis had watched as Robinson made more and more trips to the hospital because he was so ill, going from annual visits to, after he started dialysis, every few months, then, on occasion, multiple times a month. “Then there’s a committee to make sure that I’m healthy and deserving of a kidney.” Robinson was paralyzed, both by the prognosis and an uncertain future. He was facing his own mortality for the first time, feeling weak after long feeling invincible. When he returned home to Seattle, he was admitted to a local hospital, where he tested positive for COVID-19. He couldn’t control his bowels, and severe pain radiated throughout his body.

• The term high functioning alcoholic is no longer in use in the medical community.
• Early intervention and treatment can help reduce the severity of the disease and prevent further physical or mental complications from developing.
• If you give permission, they may speak to your family or loved ones regarding how much you drink.

Understanding the Long-Term Impact of High-Functioning Alcoholism

• There are a number of different models you can use to convey your thoughts and feelings in an effective manner, so that the person you care for can see their addiction clearly.
• Consider speaking to your primary care provider about your concerns or attending a support group as a first step.
• These behaviors are potential signs that a person is unable to control their cravings for alcohol or they’re trying to resolve withdrawal symptoms by drinking, both of which are symptoms of AUD.
• Vows to cut back or quit altogether are made, only to be broken in the face of cravings.

They lose track of friendships and prioritize time with alcohol over family time. High-functioning alcoholism, a subset of alcohol use disorder, often masks its long-term effects due to the individual’s ability to maintain seemingly normal life activities. However, chronic alcohol consumption can lead to severe health complications over time. The impact on the digestive system includes inflammation of the stomach lining, ulcers, and a heightened risk of pancreatitis. The nervous system also suffers, potentially resulting in neuropathy, cognitive deficits, memory loss, and Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome, which affects both movement and memory. These behaviors, while not exhaustive, are significant red flags and may help in identifying individuals who are high-functioning alcoholics.

• Detoxing at a treatment facility means you’ll be under supervision while all traces of alcohol leave your system.
• Liver damage is the most talked about physical consequence and that is a concern almost immediately.
• A hallmark sign is the development of a functional tolerance to alcohol, where individuals exhibit few signs of intoxication despite high blood alcohol concentrations, which would typically be incapacitating.
• Often, people who suffer from alcohol use problems are self-treating a mental health condition.
• Consciously or unconsciously, the codependent may help the alcoholic to continue drinking to maintain the status quo.