Because of this appearance, their problem doesn’t seem as severe as other types of alcoholism. Although they can live a perfectly normal life, they can still benefit from professional help. Without help, their AUD can worsen and cause long-term health and social problems. It passes slowly when times are tough and moves too quickly maverick house east boston when life is smooth. Although I have not drunk alcohol in two decades, images and sensations of the experience are one thought away. When the dopamine rush left, the night turned to morning, the music died down, and the crowd left—the reality of my powerlessness over alcohol was waiting for me.
Alcoholism can take a devastating toll on a person’s physical health, emotional well-being, personal relationships and professional life. However, many alcoholics manage to function effectively, holding down jobs and maintaining households. A high-functioning alcoholic may hide their alcohol abuse for years without suffering any major losses.
What Makes Dealing with High-Functioning Alcoholics so Challenging?
Unfortunately, high-functioning alcoholism, as a secret or undiagnosed disorder, can be more dangerous than obvious, debilitating alcoholism. This is because high-functioning alcoholics are often in denial about their addiction, so they are less likely to seek treatment. Since they’re not stereotypical alcoholics, they do not know or they will not admit that they have a serious problem with alcohol. Treatment programs at The Recovery Village include a full spectrum of alcohol recovery services, from alcohol detox to rehab, aftercare and sober housing.
Genetic or environmental factors can cause high-functioning alcoholism. For example, a family history of alcoholism or a stressful environment. Unfortunately, many high-functioning alcoholics tend to believe they don’t need treatment. celebrities who drink every night The signs and symptoms listed above should be a good indicator of high-functioning alcoholism. BetterHelp can connect you to an addiction and mental health counselor. A high-functioning alcoholic will usually appear healthy despite consuming large amounts of alcohol.
High-Functioning People with Alcohol Use Disorder
The more a person drinks, the more at risk they are of developing severe alcohol use disorder. The earlier a person begins drinking, the more likely they are to develop an alcohol addiction. But they may put themselves or others in danger by drinking and driving, having risky sexual encounters, or blacking out, Benton says.
If the consequences of high-functioning alcoholism have become overwhelming, and your loved one refuses to seek help for alcohol abuse, it could be time to plan an intervention. An intervention is a planned meeting in which the concerned parties confront the alcoholic about their behavior. While social drinking is a common part of our culture, it’s different from “responsible drinking” which emphasizes moderation and safety.
- Reach out to a treatment provider for free today for immediate assistance.
- Many alcoholics succeed at work and in school and have great relationships.
- Alcohol detox isn’t easy and not everyone can do it on their own.
Sarah Allen Benton, M.S., LMHC., LPC, is a licensed mental health counselor and author of Understanding the High-Functioning Alcoholic. Nearly 20% of alcoholics are highly functional and well-educated with good incomes. Because these types of unique sobriety gifts users appear stable and mostly unaffected by their drinking, the steps to effectively confront a functioning alcoholic and work with them on their behaviors can be even more difficult. A doctor may also diagnose AUD by asking about your health history and drinking patterns. If you give permission, they may speak to your family or loved ones regarding how much you drink.
How to help friends and family
No matter how well high-functioning alcoholics conceal their addiction or maintain their careers and relationships, they are still alcoholics. Therefore, they are living with the risks and effects of alcoholism. Many high-functioning alcoholics in recovery have testified that someone can only live a normal life with alcoholism for so long until the disorder starts to affect their health and behavior.
Typical Stages of High-Functioning Alcoholism
Drinking excessive amounts of alcohol can impact short- and long-term physical and mental health. Getting help early on can reduce the risk of developing alcohol addiction. According to a government survey, about 20% of alcoholics in America are high-functioning alcoholics. They take care of their families, always pay their bills, and avoid trouble with the law.
Twenty years ago today, I woke up from a typical alcohol-induced blackout in an apartment I did not recognize in an unfamiliar Boston neighborhood. I stared at the ceiling with a pit in my stomach, a void in my soul, a dead cell phone battery, and an inner knowing that I would never let myself feel this way again. I gathered my few belongings from the night before and shamefully walked to the Boston “T” to get back home. When I arrived, reeking of booze from the evening before and makeup strewn down my face, I was confronted by two of my female roommates.