People who are high functioning with a drinking problem “seem to have everything together,” says Matt Glowiak, PhD, LCPC, a certified advanced alcohol and drug counselor. They’re high functioning alcoholic able to successfully manage tasks around their work, school, family, and finances, he says. Alcohol withdrawal can begin within hours of ending a drinking session.
Drinking As A Reward
By Sarah Bence, OTR/LBence is an occupational therapist with a range of work experience in mental healthcare settings. Drinking alone or being secretive about drinking can be another sign of alcohol use disorder. Drinking alcohol at unconventional times—such as early in the day https://ecosoberhouse.com/ or at gatherings where nobody else is drinking—is another hallmark of this disease. Below are some signs that you or someone you love may be living with alcohol use disorder. These signs don’t always affect a person’s ability to carry out their day-to-day responsibilities.
Watch: signs and symptoms of alcoholism explained
It’s important to remember that asking for help demonstrates strength, not weakness. Treatment is tailored to individual needs, and a comprehensive plan may include a combination of therapy, medication, and support groups to address both the physical and psychological aspects of AUD. People who are close to high-functioning alcoholics need to avoid becoming codependent.
AUD symptoms
These stories, among many others, are essential to understanding the multifaceted nature of addiction and the diverse paths to sobriety. Genetic or environmental factors can cause high-functioning alcoholism. For example, a family history of alcoholism or a stressful environment. The signs and symptoms listed above should be a good indicator of high-functioning alcoholism.
- Consequently, many people may not realize their drinking has become a genuine problem.
- This can look like binge drinking (drinking a lot over a short period) or heavy drinking (drinking a lot over a more extended period).
- People who are in a codependent relationship with an alcoholic prioritize the needs of the alcoholic over their personal needs.
- Understanding the complexities of high-functioning alcoholism is crucial for healthcare providers to effectively engage and treat this population.
- Therefore, they are living with the risks and effects of alcoholism.
- Recovered.org provides an anonymous online evaluation tool to check if drinking has become problematic and provides further resources for help and support.
Risks and Impact of Living With Alcohol Use Disorder
The term “functional alcoholic” is heavily debated in the addiction community, but it’s part of the social vernacular so it’s valuable to discuss the common misconceptions. Just because someone with an alcohol use disorder (the medical term for an alcoholic) is functioning doesn’t mean they’re functioning well or functioning in each aspect of their lives. Keep that idea in mind while you approach the topic of alcohol abuse and addiction.
- Group members include peers who provide comfort and advice to one another.
- The nervous system also suffers, potentially resulting in neuropathy, cognitive deficits, memory loss, and Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome, which affects both movement and memory.
- Emotional abuse includes threats, insults and controlling behavior, according to the Office on Women’s Health website.
- In many cases, their addiction is taking a gradual toll, but because they have good jobs, perform the expected tasks of daily life, and avoid legal problems, the problematic effects are not yet observable.
- If you or a loved one is ready to overcome an alcohol addiction, reach out today.
Are You or a Loved One a Functioning Alcoholic? Know the Signs
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- Moreover, executive dysfunction, a decline in cognitive abilities due to chronic alcohol consumption, can impair the individual’s decision-making and problem-solving skills, complicating the recovery process.
- With these interventions, people can find health and happiness in sobriety.
- Their professional status or personal success can make it hard to approach them about having a “problem” with alcohol.
- Daily drinking can have serious consequences for a person’s health, both in the short- and long-term.