Signs and Symptoms of a Functioning Alcoholic
Medical Writer:
Reviewer:
Johnny Kim
Executive Psychotherapist
Medical Writer:
Reviewer:
Johnny Kim
Executive Psychotherapist
The term “alcoholic” is not professionally recognized and often carries stigmas and misconceptions. The clinical term for challenges related to alcohol consumption is alcohol use disorder (AUD).
No group confronts stereotypes about drinking as prominently as those with functioning alcoholism.
People with functioning alcoholism may not look like the stereotype of someone at rock bottom. They may appear put together and in control despite their drinking problem. Many successfully conceal and control their drinking for years, maintaining jobs and relationships without noticeable decline.
Many people dependent on alcohol do not seek help until their addiction dominates their lives. Identifying the signs of functioning alcoholism and seeking early intervention can stop the progression of addiction, potentially saving lives and preserving relationships.
What Is a Functioning Alcoholic?
Functioning alcoholics are adept at concealing their struggles; they maintain an appearance of success despite excessive alcohol consumption. These people often do not hide their drinking or appear to suffer any consequences, and they frequently make light of their drinking habits.
The National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA) reports that 20% of individuals with alcohol problems can still maintain successful careers and earn high incomes. These people can work and make a lot of money even though they have issues with alcohol. Approximately 25% of this group have reported encountering mental health challenges during their lives.
Understanding the connection between mental health and alcohol use is crucial. This is undeniably true for people who drink a lot of alcohol but can still manage their daily activities. Recognizing the impact that alcohol can have on mental well-being is important. This understanding can help individuals make informed decisions about their alcohol consumption and seek help if needed.
Functioning alcoholics may believe that their drinking is key to their success and that they can’t achieve or function without it. However, their accomplishments reflect their determination and intelligence despite their struggle with alcohol use disorder.
Regular drinkers often think they need alcohol to feel confident, fun, and friendly. As a result, they have difficulty distinguishing their true selves from the effects of alcohol.
People who are functioning alcoholics have a hard time keeping up with their lifestyle and drinking habits on their own. Functioning alcoholics struggle to maintain their lifestyle and drinking habits without assistance. Their loved ones often help them by covering up for them or changing their own actions to accommodate the drinking. This support allows the alcoholic to continue drinking without facing negative outcomes.
Dr. Steven Melmis is an expert in addictions and mood disorders. He believes people reach rock bottom when those around them reach their breaking point. Dr. Melemis thinks that addiction typically affects other areas of life before work.
This means the person’s behavior or actions have become too much for others to handle. He believes that addiction typically affects other areas of life before work. Work is often the last aspect to be impacted by addiction. This is because work is the main source of income.
Signs of a Functioning Alcoholic
One key sign of a functioning alcoholic is their alcohol consumption and tolerance. People who drink often need more alcohol to feel drunk but may not show as many signs of being drunk.
Functioning alcoholics can appear in control despite high blood alcohol levels, but it’s not safe or healthy.
The United States Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) defines moderate drinking as one drink a day for women and two drinks a day for men. Heavy drinking is having eight or more drinks a week for women and 15 or more for men. Often, people with functioning alcohol use disorder drink this much in just a few days.
The prevailing view of someone struggling with alcohol and substance abuse is often limited and incorrect. The behavior of a functioning alcoholic might not fit these common stereotypes. Friends and family of people who drink a lot may not realize that their behavior is a problem. They might think it’s just part of who they are.
They may not exhibit the typical signs of alcoholism, such as missing work or neglecting their duties. Instead, they may appear to be functioning normally on the surface. Here are some key indicators to recognize functioning alcoholism:
Making Excuses and Getting Defense About Their Drinking
Many people grappling with alcohol use disorder acknowledge their challenges but perceive themselves as managing effectively. Confrontations about their drinking habits can prompt a defensive and aggressive response, with some shifting the blame to others.
Frequently, they rationalize their drinking as a social obligation or a method of relaxation and enjoyment. These justifications serve to reassure both the individual and those who express concern.
Lying and Hiding About How Much They Drink
Most people understand societal norms and expectations, including the appropriate consumption of alcohol and abstaining during certain events or times. To uphold appearances or due to shame, a person might conceal the actual amount of alcohol they consume or disguise it in other drinks like coffee or soda, complicating detection by others. Sometimes, they may also drink in solitude or secretly to evade scrutiny.
Planning Their Schedule Around Alcohol
Heavy drinkers frequently begin their day with a drink, casually termed as “the hair of the dog” or “eye-opener,” primarily to stave off symptoms of alcohol withdrawal.
Consuming alcohol at lunch, engaging in daily happy hours after work or school, having multiple nightcaps, or drinking before attending alcohol-free events are clear indicators of problematic drinking once one becomes observant of these patterns.
Losing Track of Time and Experiencing Memory Loss
Losing track of time due to enjoyment is distinct from prioritizing alcohol to such an extent that hours pass unnoticed.
People who drink heavily often require reminders about the number of drinks they’ve consumed, events that transpired even just an hour prior or struggle to recall details once they are sober.
Identifying when someone with functioning alcohol use disorder is experiencing a blackout can be challenging, as they might appear normal or minimally affected during interactionClaiming Not to be a “Real” Alcoholic
People with functioning alcohol use disorder frequently deflect criticism by highlighting their ability to maintain employment and social relationships or by emphasizing their preference for “quality” alcohol over cheaper alternatives. They often make light of their situation, joking that they do not fit the stereotype of an alcoholic who needs Alcoholics Anonymous or faces legal problems due to drinking.
Some do not drink daily; instead, they engage in binge drinking. They point to their ability to abstain for short periods as evidence that their drinking is under control.
Chronic Drinking Despite Health Issues
Chronic alcohol misuse detrimentally impacts physical, mental, and behavioral health. Over time, even highly functional people may begin to experience weight loss, sleep disturbances, mood swings, and other direct consequences of excessive drinking. Nevertheless, those who are dependent on alcohol often persist in their consumption despite these health complications.
No matter how well someone may seem to be managing externally, the consequences of alcohol abuse will inevitably manifest as liver damage, kidney damage, brain damage, and other potentially fatal conditions. These are among the physical repercussions of alcohol use disorder. Additionally, the impact on mental health and the emotional strain that drinking alcohol puts on people and their families can be profound and devastating.
Am I a Functioning Alcoholic?
It can be challenging to judge your own drinking patterns honestly. If you find yourself questioning if you might be a functioning alcoholic or if you’ve attempted to quit drinking but couldn’t, you might be dealing with an alcohol use disorder.
If the behaviors previously described resonate with you, it’s crucial to seek guidance from a healthcare professional for managing alcohol use disorder. They will apply standardized criteria to evaluate whether you have a substance use issue, assess its severity, and suggest the most appropriate treatment options for you.
Engage in candid conversations with your friends, family, and close ones to gain insight into your drinking patterns. Inquire about the impact of your alcohol consumption on their lives. Though challenging, these discussions are pivotal for breaking free from alcohol’s grip on your existence.
Get Help for an Alcoholic
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) delineates alcohol misuse as surpassing one drink per day for women and exceeding two drinks per day for men.
To combat alcohol abuse and addiction, it’s crucial to intervene before reaching rock bottom. If you sense that alcohol is gaining control over your life, alcohol addiction treatment is available. You don’t have to suffer from alcohol addiction alone.
At White Oak Recovery Center, we recognize the challenges of juggling addiction and daily life. Our secluded residential treatment facility alleviates the burdens of everyday life, allowing you to concentrate on recovery and initiate your journey toward long-term wellness.
Utilizing evidence-backed treatments, therapies, and support groups, our compassionate team of medical professionals equips you with the tools to identify triggers and employ strategies to prevent relapse. With our comprehensive on-site medical detox and dual diagnosis programs, we ensure a safe withdrawal from alcohol dependency and address co-occurring mental health conditions effectively.
Reach out and take the step today toward recovery. Our compassionate treatment specialists are eager to guide you toward a life rooted in recovery.
Medical Disclaimer:
