Ways to Approach the High-Functioning Alcoholic in Your Life

The information we provide is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. It should not be used in place of the advice of your physician or other qualified healthcare providers. High-functioning alcoholism, while often less visible than other forms of addiction, carries significant consequences for an individual’s health, relationships, and overall quality of life. Despite maintaining an outward appearance of normalcy, high-functioning alcoholics experience a range of detrimental effects that can erode their well-being over time. Studies have shown that alcohol consumption correlates with depressive disorders, which in turn can impair health-related quality of life (HRQoL), even in individuals without clinically relevant depressive symptoms.

• It is important to express to an HFA how his or her drinking is negatively affecting you (emotionally, spiritually, physically) and how you perceive it is harming others as well (friends, children).
• People can have a varied reaction and tolerance to alcohol and that doesn’t necessarily mean they are alcoholics.
• In adolescents, early alcohol use can disrupt normal brain development, leading to long-term cognitive and behavioral issues.
• However, I was ready to hear their concerns and fears genuinely, and after four years of trying to control my drinking, had finally accepted that I was an alcoholic.
• HFAs typically do not realize the extent to which their drinking affects others.

How do I know I’m a functioning alcoholic? Know the signs and symptoms

If you’re ready to get started, contact a treatment provider today to learn more about your treatment options. 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.

• This data suggests a significant portion of the population may potentially fall into the high-functioning alcoholism category, particularly among those who do not abstain from alcohol.
• The COVID-19 pandemic saw an increase in alcohol-attributable deaths, potentially linked to stress, loneliness, and social isolation, factors that could also affect the prevalence of high-functioning alcoholism.
• Consider not drinking yourself (at least temporarily), says Kennedy.
• They may also withdraw from social situations and find excuses to miss events or optional commitments where drinking is not available or possible.
• Furthermore, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) highlights the public health implications of excessive alcohol use, including deaths from conditions fully attributable to alcohol use.

How to support your loved one in getting help and getting healthy

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. Instead, it is an outdated term that was used to describe a person with alcohol use disorder (AUD) who presents as though their alcohol use has no adverse impact on their life or the lives of those around them. «Functioning» is subjective and limiting when describing a person living with alcohol use disorder.

Get help for alcoholism today.

Anger and frustration can be tough emotions when supporting someone with AUD. Reminding yourself that you can’t “fix” your loved one — but you can be there for them — can help you cool off, says Elhaj. All experts agree that when talking to your loved high functioning alcoholic one, it’s best to be patient and compassionate. For some people, AUD may also mean more than physical dependence, but a stress reliever or source of psychological escape. If needed, your doctor may also order blood tests to check your liver function.

They may take steps to avoid the person while they are drinking, or they may experience feelings of guilt, shame, or self-blame. A functional alcoholic often consumes as much alcohol as someone with an alcohol use disorder. However, they are likely struggling with uncontrollable cravings, unsuccessful attempts at quitting, and obsessive thoughts about their next drink—all hallmarks of an alcohol use disorder. By Sarah Bence, OTR/LBence is an occupational therapist with a range of work experience in mental healthcare settings. Support from other people who struggle with alcohol use disorder is an integral part of recovery, alongside medical treatment.

• High-functioning alcoholism, a subset of alcohol use disorders (AUD), presents unique challenges in identification due to the individual’s ability to maintain outward appearances of normalcy.
• An addiction therapist can help you find positive ways to deal with the stress of living with a functional alcoholic.
• The first step for most people is detox, which means quitting alcohol.
• This is because people can be skillful at hiding the signs of an issue with alcohol.
• For example, high-functioning alcoholics are at greater risk for driving under the influence and committing other alcohol-related crimes.
• Although people who know high-functioning alcoholics are sometimes afraid to confront them with the truth, high-functioning alcoholics need honest support from friends and family to make the decision to seek help.

Negative Consequences Of Alcohol Addiction