What is a High Functioning Alcoholic? Definition & Signs

Generally, functioning alcoholics are convinced that they have everything under control and are often able to convince others of the same. As alcohol use increases, high-functioning alcoholics may begin to cancel appointments or other engagements in an effort to hide hangovers, withdrawal symptoms, and other indications of addiction. The Recovery Village Atlanta offers comprehensive addiction treatment for drug and alcohol addictions and co-occurring mental health conditions.

Physical and Mental Health

Another major deterrent for some people may be chemical dependence. According to Conroy, it may be easy to get caught in denial with AUD if you subconsciously feel something is wrong with you at your core. It also might mean admitting that they don’t have it all together, and their exterior (and interior) world is crumbling.

It waited patiently for my recognition for 12 years until that morning when my consciousness and the truth collided undeniably. However, I was ready to hear their concerns and fears genuinely, and after four years of trying to control my drinking, had finally accepted that I was an alcoholic. Recovery from substance use disorders (SUDs) is an ongoing process and those fortunate to have long-term recovery share one thing in common—an ability to recommit. In addition to supporting your own mental health, this serves as a role model to your loved one. Genetic or environmental factors can cause high-functioning alcoholism.

1. 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.
2. This means the negative impact on your life will likely grow, and the condition will not get better on its own without treatment.
3. Under the surface, this form of alcoholism can cause severe psychological and emotional damage to the alcoholic and also their loved ones..
4. In a 2015 study, almost 29% of participants didn’t seek treatment due to stigma or shame.

Recovery Coaching

Consider not drinking yourself (at least temporarily), says Kennedy. You, too, might realize that your relationship with alcohol is negatively affecting your life. The earlier a person begins drinking, the more likely they are to develop an alcohol addiction. Get professional help from an online addiction and mental health counselor from BetterHelp. A medical or addiction treatment professional can go over the symptoms someone is experiencing and assess where they could fall on the AUD spectrum.

Renewal Center for Ongoing Recovery

I stared at the ceiling with a pit in my stomach, a void in my soul, a dead cell phone battery, and an inner Synthetic Cannabinoids National Institute on Drug Abuse NIDA 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. There is a cumulative impact that can lead to an increase in stress that builds up over time.

An individual who is suffering from addiction is more likely to socialize with others who drink and attend social events where drinking is encouraged (i.e., at bars, clubs, or cocktail parties). When drinking socially or with colleagues, one drink often leads to several. This happens every time or frequently enough that drinking seems to become out of control and raises questions. Being able to carry out regular responsibilities with AUD is not the same as being free of the disease.

This article explores the meaning of the term high functioning alcoholic, looks at the signs and symptoms of alcohol use disorder (AUD), how people can help friends and family, and more. Even though they may want to stop, many functioning alcoholics often won’t know where or how to begin the process. This is where family, friends and medical professionals can work together to create a plan to help end this cycle before they do more harm to themselves.