7 Signs of a High Functioning Alcoholic
However, these individuals still have to deal with the effects of alcohol abuse, including mental and physical health problems. Alcoholism isn’t always easy to identify, especially when it comes to high-functioning alcoholics. These individuals often maintain a semblance of normalcy, excelling in their professional and personal lives while secretly battling an addiction.
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While high-functioning alcoholics may not immediately experience these issues, the risks grow over time. Even if someone has avoided consequences so far, it does not mean they are immune to them. Many high-functioning alcoholics go to great lengths to hide their drinking. They may drink alone, stash alcohol in unusual places, or use mouthwash or gum to cover up the smell of alcohol. They may also downplay how much they are drinking when asked by friends or family. This secrecy is often a sign of shame or fear of being judged, indicating that the person knows their drinking is problematic.
Functional Alcoholism: How to Tell if Alcohol Abuse Is Happening
However, even when there are no major crises in someone’s life caused by alcohol, it can still lead to significant underlying issues. This is why it’s important to understand the long-term effects of frequent alcohol consumption before it becomes a major issue. Signs of alcoholism vary, but consistently using drinking as a coping mechanism is a universal red flag. However, it’s worrisome when alcohol is used to handle stress, lift spirits, or soothe anxiety.
High Functioning vs Non-High Functioning Alcoholics
- These services can significantly improve health and well-being, breaking the cycle of addiction.
- Their professional status or personal success can make it hard to approach them about having a “problem” with alcohol.
- 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.
- Despite maintaining an outward appearance of normality, they may progressively distance themselves from family and friends.
It may also be a way for them to self-medicate in order to cope with physical or emotional pain. When you drink to relax, you are relying on alcohol to calm your nerves and make you feel better. This is a dangerous habit that can quickly lead to an alcohol use disorder. When you rely on alcohol to calm down, you’re not dealing with your problems head-on. Often, alcohol ends up contributing to anxiety symptoms, making them even worse.
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- They might perform exceptionally well at work, maintain social circles and appear in control, masking the severity of their alcohol use disorder.
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- They might only drink after completing their work or fulfilling their obligations, but the quantity and frequency of their drinking can still be quite high.
People who have high-functioning alcoholism think that because they can hold down a job and maintain their relationships, they don’t have a problem. They are more likely not to accept help or admit that they need help, and usually, only people who are very close to them will realize the high-functioning alcoholic has a disorder. Even though high-functioning alcoholics may appear to be managing their lives well, they are not immune to the physical and psychological consequences of alcohol abuse. Over time, their health can deteriorate, and they may experience symptoms such as liver damage, high blood pressure, depression, anxiety, and memory problems. However, they are often skilled at concealing these issues, further perpetuating https://ecosoberhouse.com/ the illusion of normalcy.
Yet, with that higher tolerance level, many men and women like this don’t recognize their condition as a true addiction. Therapy and counseling are essential components of treating high-functioning alcoholism. Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) is particularly effective, as it helps individuals understand the underlying causes of their addiction and develop healthier coping mechanisms. CBT focuses on changing negative thought patterns and behaviors that contribute to alcohol dependence, enabling the individual to manage stress and emotions without resorting to drinking. Because high-functioning alcoholics rarely show any external signs of alcohol addiction, they are at risk of some serious mental and physical health challenges.
Alcohol addiction can have a devastating effect on someone’s life, but how functioning alcoholic husband long it takes someone’s drinking problem to affect their daily functioning will differ from person to person. 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.
As a functional alcoholic, you may not realize you have a drinking problem. It’s probably because you haven’t encountered severe consequences from Sobriety your drinking. But if you do it regularly to cope with stress, anxiety, loneliness, and other negative emotions — you may be a functional alcoholic. The earlier a person begins drinking, the more likely they are to develop an alcohol addiction.