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How to Help a High-Functioning Alcoholic How to Identify the Warning Signs

functional alcoholic

Drinking rarely causes them to miss work and other obligations (although it does happen occasionally). They are usually able to manage areas of life including jobs, homes, and families. John C. Umhau, MD, MPH, CPE is board-certified in addiction medicine and preventative medicine. For over 20 years Dr. Umhau was a senior clinical investigator at the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism of the National Institutes of Health (NIH). It’s increasingly common for someone to be diagnosed with a condition such as ADHD or autism as an adult. A diagnosis often brings relief, but it can also come with as many questions as answers.

HFAs have the mirtazapine and alcohol same disease as the stereotypical “skid-row” alcoholic, but it manifests or progresses differently. People who live fully functional lives can still have AUD and can benefit from treatment and support. The condition causes changes in the brain that decrease the ability to quit on your own.

“Blackouts” and Memory Issues

Outpatient programs make it possible for you to get treatment during the day and still live at home. No content on this site, regardless of date, should ever be used as a substitute for direct medical advice from your doctor or other qualified clinician. Women tend to have a higher proportion of body fat, which does not absorb alcohol; this increases alcohol levels in the blood. Women also tend to weigh less than men, so drink for drink, there is post covid alcohol intolerance more alcohol in a woman’s bloodstream.

Signs of a Functional Alcoholic

  1. Issues with work, school, and relationships are common among people living with AUD.
  2. By Sarah Bence, OTR/LBence is an occupational therapist with a range of work experience in mental healthcare settings.
  3. 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.
  4. Functional alcoholics differ from those who struggle with alcoholism, primarily in how alcohol affects their lives.
  5. Because these types of 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 young person who drinks alcohol is also more likely to experiment with other drugs, and to run the risk of becoming addicted to them. Family members may feel on edge and worried about their loved ones drinking. They may take steps to avoid the person while they are drinking, or they may experience feelings of guilt, shame, or self-blame. In the short term, alcohol use increases the risk for alcohol poisoning, fetal alcohol syndrome, accidents, injuries, violence, and risky sexual behavior. However, they are likely struggling with uncontrollable cravings, unsuccessful attempts at quitting, and obsessive 2c-b-fly thoughts about their next drink—all hallmarks of an alcohol use disorder.

functional alcoholic

Drinking Alone, Secretly, or at Unconventional Times

The refusal to abstain can become more apparent in certain situations. This includes times when many people give up alcohol, such as “dry January” or the period of fasting and penitence in the Christian calendar leading up to Easter known as Lent. It may also cause an individual to refuse to travel to areas where alcohol access may be limited. 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. Organizations such as the American Society of Addiction Medicine can guide you to help, too.

In addition, according to the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA), alcohol misuse like binge drinking and heavy drinking can increase your risk for developing alcohol use disorder (AUD). When you’re living with a high-functioning alcoholic, your own health is at stake as well as the welfare of your loved one. By getting help for your loved one, you may be able to avoid further consequences of alcoholism and build a healthier future for your family. 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.

Physical and Mental Health

An alcoholic in denial may become extremely manipulative, tearful, angry or hostile when faced with the need for alcohol treatment. An experienced intervention specialist can help the participants prepare for these reactions so they can respond effectively. To cope with your stress, you may want to attend a support group for family and friends of people with alcohol use disorder (such as Al-Anon) or consider therapy. Drinking alone or being secretive about drinking can be another sign of alcohol use disorder.

It should not be used in place of the advice of your physician or other qualified healthcare providers. Alcoholism affects everyone in a household — not just the individual who drinks. Alcohol abuse increases the risk of physical and emotional violence, as well as substance abuse in other family members. An addiction therapist can help you find positive ways to deal with the stress of living with a functional alcoholic. Consciously or unconsciously, the codependent may help the alcoholic to continue drinking to maintain the status quo. Many high-functioning alcoholics earn a good living and can support their families while continuing to drink.

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