Intervening in the addictive behavior may be seen as a threat to the family’s financial security — even if the family must put up with emotional neglect or physical abuse. Bureau of Justice Statisticsnoted that nearly 60% of violent incidents against a domestic partner or family member were committed under the influence of alcohol. High-functioning alcoholics typically joke about their drinking habits. They say things like, “we can’t let these drinks go to waste” or “rehab is for quitters.” They laugh about how much alcohol they consume on a daily basis and try to make light of a serious situation. In reality, they’re in deep denial about the reality of their addiction. For someone who’s high-functioning in their alcohol addiction, another viable option could be an outpatient program.
- According to a government survey, about 20% of alcoholics in America are high-functioning alcoholics.
- If you use alcohol, especially regularly, it begins to affect your brain structurally and functionally.
- The most in-depth care allows you to live full time at a treatment facility.
- In fact, their families and friends might not even know they are alcoholics if they show no signs of having a substance use disorder.
How to help friends and family
Some people with AUD may attend an inpatient recovery program, in which they stay at a facility for at least 28 days to receive concentrated treatment in a controlled environment. The refusal to abstain can become more apparent in certain situations. This includes times when many people give up alcohol, such as «dry January» or the period of fasting and penitence in the Christian calendar leading up to Easter known as Lent. It may also cause an individual to refuse to travel to areas where alcohol access may be limited.
An alcoholic in denial may become extremely manipulative, tearful, angry or hostile when faced with the need for alcohol treatment. An experienced intervention specialist can help the participants prepare for these reactions so they can respond effectively. Functional alcoholics differ from those who struggle with alcoholism, primarily in how alcohol affects their lives. If you’re the loved one of someone in either group, it’s important to know how to deal with an alcoholic effectively if you want to help them get well. Some people seem to be just fine even though they misuse alcohol. You may hear them called “functional” or “high-functioning» alcoholics. But those aren’t official medical terms.
The term “currently-functioning» may be used since it’s not likely they will remain functional (and not misuse alcohol) indefinitely. My understanding of HFAs is also from a personal perspective—I have been in recovery from alcoholism for almost five years. I, too, struggled to see that I could be accomplished academically and then professionally while drinking alcoholically. My image of the alcoholic was always an individual who could not hold his or her life together, and I certainly did not fit that description. My denial was deeply rooted and was reinforced not only by my loved ones but by society as a whole. A high functioning alcoholic is sun rock cannabis an informal term that refers to someone who appears to maintain a successful professional and personal life while drinking excessive amounts of alcohol.
Impact of Being a Functional Alcoholic
Submit your number and receive a free call today from a treatment provider. 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 or at gatherings where nobody else is drinking—is another hallmark of this disease.
What is a High-Functioning Alcoholic?
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. These people have jobs, active social lives, or happy families at home.
What are the complications of AUD?
Alcohol withdrawal can produce a withdrawal effect known as delirium tremens that can prove life-threatening. Detox under medical supervision is a safer and more effective option than attempting to detox without help. Consider speaking to your primary care provider about your concerns or attending a support group as a first step. These therapies are available one-on-one or in small groups in an inpatient or outpatient setting.
The most well-known support group is Alcoholics Anonymous, but there are many other 12-step programs. It can be hard to stop enabling someone you care about once you’ve recognized it. Try to talk openly to the person about your concerns, and encourage them to seek help from resources like Alcoholics Anonymous (AA). Managing AUD is a lifelong process, so the earlier you or your loved one seeks help, the more likely you are to succeed in overcoming the disorder and limiting recurrence. In addition, there were almost 50,000 other alcohol-related deaths. These numbers do not include people who have died in alcohol-related accidents or violence, so the overall number is likely much higher.