While many who suffer from alcohol abuse follow this pattern, not all do. It’s important to recognize that recovery is a personal and unique experience. While every story differs, the common thread is the courage to seek help and the determination to pursue a sober life, regardless of the challenges posed by high-functioning alcoholism. Despite the ability to function at a high level, individuals with high-functioning alcoholism are not immune to these risks. It’s essential to recognize that while the short-term effects may seem manageable, the long-term health consequences can be severe and life-altering.
- While cirrhosis scars from excessive drinking are irreversible, quitting alcohol and leading a healthier lifestyle can help your liver heal from alcohol-related liver disease.
- Detoxing at a treatment facility means you’ll be under supervision while all traces of alcohol leave your system.
- Seeking help for addiction may feel daunting or even scary, but several organizations can provide support.
- A “functional alcoholic” (or “high-functioning alcoholic”) isn’t a formal medical diagnosis, but a term used colloquially to describe a person who is dependent upon alcohol but can still function in society.
- For example, a computed tomography (CT) scan tests for liver enlargement, which can occur after years of chronic drinking.
Impact of Being a Functional Alcoholic
These question and answer tests can help you to understand your relationship with alcohol. They might be used by medical professionals as an indication of whether you need treatment for addiction. The symptoms and risk factors above should help give you an idea of whether you, or someone you know, may be a functioning alcoholic. Join our expert psychiatrist, Priory’s Dr Renju Joseph, as he discusses the key signs and symptoms of alcoholism – informed by years of experience treating people with addiction issues.
High-Functioning Alcoholism Can Be Hard to Recognize. Here’s What to Know
The picture of someone struggling with alcohol abuse disorder is often one where people struggle to live life normally as they battle a dependency on alcohol. For many people struggling with addiction this is true, but for someone with functioning alcoholism this isn’t the case. ‘High-functioning alcoholics’, or ‘functioning alcoholic’, are colloquial terms for someone who’s dependent on alcohol but is still able to function relatively effectively in their daily life.
Mental Health Services
Treatment can help alleviate symptoms, improve quality of life, and prevent the condition from worsening over time. Even when people with high-functioning depression can maintain their daily responsibilities, it can still have significant negative impacts on their lives. It’s possible for a person to meet the diagnostic high functioning alcoholic criteria for major depressive disorder (MDD) or persistent depressive disorder (PDD) while hiding many of the signs and symptoms. When this is the case, they may be informally described as having high-functioning depression. These consequences of a substance use disorder are only those most people will notice.
They Always Have An Explanation For Why They Drink
If any of the factors below are familiar with you or someone you love, you might be at higher risk of becoming a functioning alcoholic. This level of denial can be very tough to overcome and makes it difficult for a loved one to get through to the functioning alcoholic. If you’re concerned about a loved one’s relationship with alcohol, it’s important https://ecosoberhouse.com/ you approach the topic with compassion and at a time when they’re sober. Alcohol abuse can sometimes be confusing and difficult to spot, especially if a person appears to be capable of doing everything they need to maintain core aspects of their lives. They may perform well at work, have a pristine appearance and enjoy an active social life.
What Would a High-Functioning Alcoholic’s Drinking Look Like?
Risk Factors For Alcoholism
- The more alcohol consumed, the higher the risks of developing acute or chronic physical or mental illness.
- A mental health expert can provide a proper diagnosis and recommend appropriate treatment options.
- This is because high-functioning alcoholics are often in denial about their addiction, so they are less likely to seek treatment.
- When you call our team, you will speak to a Recovery Advocate who will answer any questions and perform a pre-assessment to determine your eligibility for treatment.