The individual didn’t realize it, but ethanol was slowly gaining control, and its mastery over their life has only been gaining in strength. Psychotherapy, or “talk therapy,” is a popular counseling method for treating alcohol addiction. Both individual and group therapy sessions are offered at most alcohol treatment programs, both at the inpatient and outpatient levels. To the outside world, someone who is a high-functioning alcoholic often does not show many signs and symptoms of AUD. A high-functioning alcoholic is someone who suffers from alcohol dependency or addiction but can still maintain their daily responsibilities.
How to Recognize a Functional Alcoholic
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Just because you only drink 3 glasses of wine 4 nights a week doesn’t mean you have a high bottom. Look inside at how you feel, get honest about who you are and where you are in this journey and what you want to do about it. Just because you’re high-functioning doesn’t mean you have a high bottom. And that’s the moment I started to grow up and I became willing to listen instead of always giving the 200 reasons I don’t need that thing or that thing won’t work for me or I can’t do that thing because I’m different.
How to Cope When a Loved One Has Alcohol Use Disorder
- Just because you’re high-functioning doesn’t mean you have a high bottom.
- However, some people may use the phrase to refer to individuals who are experiencing an AUD but are still able to successfully function in their work and personal lives.
- A doctor can check a person’s drinking levels and recommend further treatment options.
- Symptoms vary based on numerous factors, including age, overall health, personality, genetics and how long you’ve regularly consumed alcohol.
Certain factors may increase your risk of developing an alcohol problem. Binge drinking, social pressures, family history, mental health issues, and excess alcohol use can all increase your risk of developing an alcohol use disorder. high functioning alcoholic The terms “high-functioning alcoholic” or “functional alcoholic” have been previously used to describe someone struggling with alcohol use disorder (AUD) while still being able to maintain a job, friendships, and family life.
What are the signs and symptoms?
- And it’s all still problem drinking, even if you think it’s “mild.” If AUD goes unrecognized and untreated, it’s linked to risks in many aspects of your health and life.
- If people with high functioning AUD do not get treatment, the disease may progress to a point at which their dependence significantly impacts their day-to-day lives.
- I never lost a home or a relationship, I was never homeless, and I blacking out isn’t a huge part of my story.
- Their ability to mask their dependency often delays necessary interventions, leading to more severe health and personal issues down the road.
- This is why psychological counseling, such as talk therapy, is important if you’re recovering from AUD.
To be diagnosed with AUD you have to meet several criteria, such as the inability to control drinking even after it has caused issues in one’s personal life or work life. While a “functioning alcoholic” might meet this specific criteria, it’s their usage, drinking pattern, and addiction that still classifies them with an alcoholic use disorder. The “functional” part of their diagnosis is simply that their bodies have built up a tolerance from years of drinking that they are still able to maintain their jobs, and still have healthy relationships. 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.
Many are not viewed by society as being alcoholic, because they have functioned, succeeded and/or over-achieved throughout their lifetimes. These achievements often lead to an increase in personal denial as well as denial from colleagues and loved ones. If you or a loved one is ready to overcome an alcohol addiction, reach out today.