When you lose control over drinking patterns, it can create negative consequences in different areas of your life. Alcohol addiction is one of the most severe levels of an alcohol use disorder, but these disorders can also be mild or moderate. High-functioning alcoholism is a silent struggle that affects not only the individual but also their loved ones. Recognizing the signs and understanding the impact on relationships is the first step toward addressing this complex issue. Recovery is possible, and it begins with breaking the silence, seeking help, and offering support.

Seeking Support From Others

Early intervention and treatment can help reduce the severity of the disease and prevent further physical or mental complications from developing. 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. People who are concerned about their drinking habits, and those who are showing signs of an AUD, may wish to reach out for help and support. According to the NIAAA, the majority of people with an AUD can benefit from some form of treatment.

Why is High-Functioning Alcoholism a Problem?

• The term high functioning alcoholic is no longer in use in the medical community.
• Every person who loves someone with an addiction has to choose whether to help the person or to distance themselves from the person.
• If people with high functioning AUD do not get treatment, the disease may progress to a point at which their dependence significantly impacts their day-to-day lives.

The partner of a high-functioning alcoholic may also experience guilt, wondering if they are somehow to blame for the addiction. They might feel responsible for “fixing” the problem, leading to codependent behavior. This dynamic can create a cycle where the partner enables the alcoholic by covering up their mistakes or downplaying the severity of the issue, further complicating the relationship. High-functioning alcoholism can place a significant strain on marriages and partnerships.

• Alcohol and other addictive substances activate the areas of your brain that are part of your reward system.
• My brand of introversion embraces teaching and speaking, but then it demands some hardcore decompression period afterwards, something I was very unaware of when I was drinking.
• Many high-functioning alcoholics will tell you they don’t drink heavily.

Signs & Symptoms Of A High-Functioning Alcoholic

Those closest to the high-functioning alcoholic find themselves making excuses for his or her behavior. Such a strain on loved ones erodes the family dynamic, often fracturing it completely. The functional alcoholic husband high-functioning alcoholic isn’t the only one who suffers, though. It’s important to have help yourself to cope with the effects of the high-functioning alcoholic’s drinking on the family.

Bulimia And Alcoholism

• In a functional alcoholic relationship, one party will often start drinking more and the other person will feel less inclined to drink.
• A high-functioning alcoholic is someone who maintains the appearance of normalcy while secretly battling alcohol dependence.
• You may also suggest that they visit the “Rethinking Drinking” online assessment by the NIAAA and if necessary, try to set low-risk drinking limits for themselves through this online program.
• Alcoholism can take a devastating toll on a person’s physical health, emotional well-being, personal relationships and professional life.
• Drinking rarely causes them to miss work and other obligations (although it does happen occasionally).

The key difference lies in how well the individual can hide their addiction. Almost all alcoholics have a stereotype of being constantly intoxicated with an inability to keep their life together. However, for a high-functioning alcoholic, things may seem a bit different than usual.

• Such people are often tricky to identify because they are highly secretive about their drinking habits and levels.
• The severity of AUD depends on how many diagnostic criteria a person meets.
• People who are functioning alcoholics may not drink all day every day, but beginning the day with alcohol may be a warning sign of deeper-lying issues.
• This hidden drinking and secretive lifestyle is a huge red flag when it comes to alcoholism and shouldn’t be ignored.

Signs of a High Functioning Alcoholic