What is a Functioning Alcoholic? Signs of High-Functioning Alcoholism
They pay their bills on time, show up to work every day, and otherwise seem to be living a productive, satisfying life. They also find it impossible to get through the day without drinking. The life of a high-functioning alcoholic is often characterized by a deep disconnect between outward appearances and inner torment.
What Is a High-Functioning Alcoholic?
A high-functioning alcoholic is someone who can keep up the appearance of success or at least stability even though they are addicted to alcohol. They may appear to be in good health, perform well at work, and maintain satisfying relationships.
Unfortunately, alcohol use disorder (alcoholism) is a chronic, progressive disease. This means that people who don’t get help for this condition are likely to experience more severe symptoms over time. Eventually, even someone who seems to be functioning at a high level may find it impossible to hold off the devastating effects of untreated alcohol addiction.
Signs of a High-Functioning Alcoholic
Could you be a high-functioning alcoholic and not even realize it? Surprisingly, it’s possible to be living with this condition without realizing it.
First, please note that answering an online questionnaire or reviewing the signs of high-functioning alcoholism can’t provide definitive proof that you either do or don’t have a problem. In other words, there’s no substitute for being assessed by a doctor or another qualified expert.
If you’re not sure if it’s time to schedule an assessment, reviewing the following 10 potential high-functioning alcoholic signs may help you make up your mind:
- You have strong cravings for alcohol.
- You often find yourself thinking about when you can get your next drink.
- You often have a drink in the morning before work and/or during lunch.
- You use alcohol to reward yourself for personal, professional, or academic accomplishments.
- You use alcohol to cope with stress, pressure, and setbacks.
- You have lied to or otherwise deceived friends, family members, or colleagues about the amount and frequency of your drinking.
- Before attending social events, you often “pregame” or drink alone.
- It’s not uncommon for you to feel guilty or ashamed about how much alcohol you consumed or how you behaved when you were intoxicated.
- You’ve developed tolerance, which means you can drink more than you used to without experiencing the disorienting effects of alcohol.
- You have tried to reduce your drinking or quit completely, but you have been unable to follow through on this effort.
If any or all of the signs above look familiar to you, it may be time to talk to a professional. Alcohol addiction is a treatable condition, and receiving an accurate diagnosis can be your first step toward the healthier future you deserve
Impact of High-Functioning Alcoholism on Life
Don’t let the “high-functioning” part of high-functioning alcoholism fool you. Yes, someone who has this condition may appear to have achieved more than someone with a substance use disorder might be expected to accomplish. But that doesn’t mean they haven’t been negatively impacted by their struggles with compulsive alcohol abuse.
A high-functioning alcoholic who doesn’t get proper care may have an elevated risk of myriad problematic outcomes, including:
- Strained relationships with loved ones
- Failing to perform to their full potential in school or at work
- Job loss and long-term unemployment
- Financial difficulties
- Onset or worsening of co-occurring mental health concerns
- Legal problems due to driving under the influence of alcohol
- Injuries due to slips, falls, aggressive behaviors, and automobile accidents
Also, chronic heavy drinking as also been linked with a range of physical health concerns, such as:
- Heart disease
- Hypertension (high blood pressure)
- Overweight and obesity
- Liver disease, including cirrhosis
- Several types of cancer
- Gastrointestinal distress
- Impaired immune system
- Stroke
Common Misconceptions About High-Functioning Alcoholics
Two common misconceptions about high-functioning alcoholics are that they’re doing fine and they don’t need help.
The “doing fine” misconception is likely based on outward appearances of success such as career progression and financial status. It’s important to remember that these appearances can be deceiving. High-functioning alcoholics often become quite adept at creating false impressions as a means of hiding their alcohol use and its effects.
The outward appearance of success can also contribute to the misconception that high-functioning alcoholics don’t need help. As noted in the previous section, alcohol addiction can expose a person to substantial physical, psychological, and socioeconomic harm. The longer a person continues to live with untreated alcoholism, they greater their risk becomes of incurring severe, potentially irreversible damage.
Remember: Just because someone doesn’t seem to be in crisis at the moment, that doesn’t mean they don’t need help.
How to Tell if Someone Is a High-Functioning Alcoholic
You can’t tell what’s going on in someone else’s mind, which means that you can’t be certain if another person has cravings for alcohol, feels shame about their drinking, or wants to quit.
Thus, if you suspect that someone you know is a high-functioning alcoholic, you can’t necessarily rely on the 10 signs listed earlier in this page. Instead, you may want to keep an eye out for behaviors and habits such as:
Behaviors and Habits of a High-Functioning Alcoholic
- They can consume a considerable amount of alcohol without appearing to be intoxicated.
- They drink in situations where it is clearly hazardous to do so, such as prior to driving or while operating a motor vehicle.
- They claim they’re able to think more clearly or perform better once they’ve had a drink or two.
- Their personality changes once they’ve had a few drinks to “loosen up.”
- They undergo sudden changes in mood, attitude, and energy for no apparent reason – which can indicate that they’ve been drinking secretly.
- They keep alcohol in inappropriate places, such as in their desk at work or in the glove box of their car.
- They seem to be unable to enjoy social gatherings or have fun in other circumstances if they’re not able to drink.
- They become defensive or dismissive when questioned about how much or how often they drink.
If someone in your life is a high-functioning alcoholic, your ideal response can vary depending on the nature of your relationship with them. However, If you are close to them, you may want to address the matter with them directly. If not, you may want to first discuss your concerns with someone who knows them better and may be a more appropriate person to speak with them first.
In either case, don’t ignore your suspicions. You can’t diagnose a person as a high-functioning alcoholic, nor can you cure them of this disorder. But you can play a vital role in connecting them with the care that can significantly improve their life.
Contact Sanctuary Treatment Center for Help With High-Functioning Alcoholism
Sanctuary Treatment Center is a trusted provider of medical detox and residential rehab. We also offer outpatient programming for adults addicted to alcohol and other drugs.
To learn more about how we can help you or a loved one, or to schedule a free assessment, please visit our Contact page or call us today.
