If you are living with a high-functioning alcoholic, you may be more likely than someone living outside of the household to notice their seemingly benign drinking habits. Consider having an open and honest discussion with your loved one about their alcohol use and encourage them to discuss it with a counselor or their primary care doctor. 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. The term “currently-functioning” may be used since it’s not likely they will remain functional (and not misuse alcohol) indefinitely. Often, a functioning alcoholic will stay away from family and friends. Over time, this worsens, leading to less ability to meet relationship requirements.
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For example, some may say, “I never drink at home, just at the bar.” Some may limit what they drink, who they drink with or when they drink as well. These restrictions help the person struggling with the alcoholism to believe they’re able to control their drinking. By comparison, a non-functioning alcoholic just seeks out alcohol without how much did steve harwell drink as much regard to such limitations. The term high functioning alcoholic is no longer in use in the medical community. However, some people may use the phrase to refer to individuals who are experiencing an AUD but are still able to successfully function in their work and personal lives.
Try to talk openly to the person about your concerns, and encourage them to seek help from resources like Alcoholics Anonymous (AA). If they are open and willing, they might enter into an inpatient rehab and begin a new chapter in life. If they are in denial, you will have to hold fast to your boundaries. But your value is not dictated by your loved one and their addiction. In addition, since the impact of AUD may not be as obvious, the person may be unable to recognize the severity of their condition in these early stages.
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- High-functioning alcoholics will do what they can to drink while appearing sober.
- They may take steps to avoid the person while they are drinking, or they may experience feelings of guilt, shame, or self-blame.
- The person may not realize there’s such an issue that others have noticed, and a conversation free of judgment can bring about more awareness.
- Over time, this worsens, leading to less ability to meet relationship requirements.
Justifying Drinking as Being a Normal Part of Life
Being able to carry out regular responsibilities with AUD is not the same as being free of the disease. Alcohol use disorder can still have a significant impact on a person’s life, even if they appear to be coping from the outside. 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.
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. If you have AUD but are not connected with treatment, the risk of progressing to more severe AUD is much greater.
For some people, as mentioned, the first resource could be speaking to their primary care provider, who can help them understand the next steps. There are also peer support groups that include 12-step programs like Alcoholics Anonymous, as well as other options like the SMART Recovery program. If someone has a milder substance use disorder, participation in a group like this can be helpful. A “high-functioning alcoholic” isn’t a medical diagnosis but is usually a reference to someone with mild or moderate AUD. Someone with functioning alcoholism is still meeting most or all of their responsibilities and obligations at home and work. The consequences of alcohol use aren’t as severe in someone with functioning alcoholism, at least not at the moment.
Warning Signs of Alcoholism
Certain factors may increase your risk of developing an alcohol problem. Binge drinking, social pressures, family history, mental health issues, and excess alcohol use can all increase your risk of developing an alcohol use disorder. With high-functioning alcoholics, the negative consequences of their drinking may be obscured by their outward successes. 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. Many high-functioning alcoholics recognize their need for alcohol, but they keep the various areas of their lives separate. For example, they drink only after work, never during work-related functions or in the office.
According to 2020 data by the CDC, nearly 30,000 people died that year from alcoholic liver disease (cirrhosis). Peer pressure and easy availability of alcohol can increase the risk of developing an AUD. Negative life experiences, such as grief, abuse, or living in poverty, can also increase the odds. A doctor can check a person’s drinking levels and recommend further treatment options. Our state-specific resource guides offer a comprehensive overview of drug and alcohol addiction treatment options available in your area.
As such, they may justify their drinking as a normal part of life—even though it isn’t. While the appearance of their drinking may seem functional, there might be hidden consequences as a result of their alcohol use disorder. Although some well-known signs of addiction may not be present, for example a DUI or a lost job, those outcomes may yet happen. And there are other less obvious warning signals you can look for that indicate an alcohol use disorder. 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.
Chronic heavy drinkers can display a functional tolerance to the point they show few obvious signs of intoxication even at high blood alcohol concentrations, which in others would be incapacitating. One of the main reasons that people who misuse alcohol seek help is the eventual negative consequences of their alcohol consumption. When the pain or embarrassment gets bad enough, they can no longer deny that their drinking needs to be addressed. One of the symptoms of an alcohol problem or Alcohol Use Disorder is when individuals make “rules” around their drinking.