Usually, it is only when their continued drinking becomes more painful than the prospect of going through the pain of alcohol withdrawal, will they finally reach out for help. There is a cumulative impact that can lead to an increase in stress that builds up over time. The recovery process from Substance Use Disorders (SUDs) has evolved over time. It also solution focused therapy worksheets shifts for individuals throughout the course of their sobriety. There may be many reasons why someone is hesitant to seek help — from lack of awareness to stigma and shame. “For starters, the media, our workplaces, and many social circles normalize drinking to excess,” says Ruby Mehta, a clinical social worker and director of clinical operations at Tempest.
#4: They Hide the Signs of a True Problem
A moderate AUD includes four to five symptoms, and a severe AUD includes six or more symptoms. Get professional help from an online addiction and mental health counselor from BetterHelp. A person who has a secret alcohol disorder is an individual who appears to be very normal.
Outpatient programs offer more flexibility regarding the schedule but provide the support and recovery resources needed. Other options that could be part of treatment for high-functioning alcohol use disorder include group or individual therapy and participation in support groups. Many high-functioning alcoholics have successful personal and professional lives while privately struggling with an alcohol use disorder. Another way that many alcoholics may deflect from their relationship with drinking is by drawing comparisons to behaviors in others that they deem “worse” than their addiction.
A diagnosis is based on how many symptoms you experience over the past 12 months, with 11 total criteria. Health is the next important area to be negatively affected by drinking. It can take many months or years for alcohol-related health problems, such as liver damage and cancer risk, to manifest.
Early intervention and treatment can help reduce the severity of the disease and prevent further physical or mental complications from developing. More recently, a 2020 study found that people who used alcohol to cope with the COVID-19 pandemic were more likely to drink alone and drink to excessive amounts. Researchers cited further risk factors, such as having a child under 18 and at home, having depression, and having fewer social interactions due to the pandemic. 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. A person who appears to be managing their alcohol intake but is experiencing issues with their relationship to alcohol has what is now known as an alcohol use disorder (AUD).
Treatment Programs
- This is where family, friends and medical professionals can work together to create a plan to help end this cycle before they do more harm to themselves.
- It can be hard to stop enabling someone you care about once you’ve recognized it.
- In this article, learn more about why the term “functioning alcoholic” is outdated and the impact of living with untreated alcohol use disorder.
- Health is the next important area to be negatively affected by drinking.
Some also take great steps to create a portrait of a healthy person. They may go to the gym, hang out with friends and even go to their children’s soccer games. “Functioning” is subjective and limiting when describing a person living with alcohol use disorder. In reality, a high-functioning alcoholic may be experiencing a great deal of stress while they maintain their drinking and all the dressings of a socially accepted lifestyle. So the appearance of functioning may be carefully manufactured to keep their alcohol use disorder (alcoholism) unchecked and unaddressed. So it becomes difficult to ascertain the true relationship that they have with alcohol.
This is due to the potentially stigmatizing language around the word “alcoholic”, which may also prevent someone from seeking help and support. When you’re living with a high-functioning alcoholic, your own health is at stake as well as the welfare of your loved one. By getting help for your loved one, you may be able to avoid further consequences of alcoholism and build a healthier future for your family. The participants in an intervention could include the alcoholic’s spouse or partner, children, parents, friends, coworkers, employer, friends and other individuals who have been affected. A substance abuse counselor, family therapist or spiritual advisor may also attend to provide an objective presence and keep the agenda on track. Unfortunately, many high-functioning alcoholics tend to believe they don’t need treatment.
How to Recognize a Functional Alcoholic
Although a person with high-functioning alcoholism may appear fine, they are not. The signs and symptoms listed above should be a good indicator of high-functioning alcoholism. Because of this appearance, their problem doesn’t seem as severe as other types of alcoholism. To learn more about addiction treatment and recovery resources, please contact a Recovery Advocate at The Recovery Village Atlanta Drug and Alcohol Rehab today.
Alcohol Treatment with Dr. Wandler
For the functional alcoholic, the denial runs deep, because they have yet to encounter significant negative consequences. Depending on the situation’s specifics and your concern, you could also work with a professional addiction treatment center or interventionist to arrange an intervention. During an intervention, loved ones come together to share how someone’s drinking is affecting them and show their support if the person decides to get help. An alcohol use disorder, as defined by the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders or DSM-5, is a problematic pattern of behaviors related to alcohol use. When you have an alcohol use disorder, it causes impairment and distress. There’s a spectrum for diagnosis, including mild, moderate or severe.