Therefore, they continue to drink to keep the withdrawals at bay, and the cycle continues. By Sarah Bence, OTR/LBence is an occupational therapist with a range of work experience in mental healthcare settings. The most well-known support group is Alcoholics Anonymous, but there are many other 12-step programs. Being able to carry out regular responsibilities with AUD is not the same as being free of the disease.

How Does a Person Become a High-Functioning Alcoholic?

By the time they admit the problem, their withdrawal symptoms—which can begin within a few hours after their last drink—can become more and more severe. 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.

Alcoholism Resources

1. If someone close to you is a high-functioning alcoholic, it’s just as important to seek support for yourself as it is to get help for your loved one.
2. We’re here 24/7 to help guide you or your loved on through rehab and recovery.
3. 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.
4. Try to talk openly to the person about your concerns, and encourage them to seek help from resources like Alcoholics Anonymous (AA).
5. If needed, your doctor may also order blood tests to check your liver function.

For the functional alcoholic, the denial runs deep, because they have yet to encounter significant negative consequences. While the term “alcoholic” was used in the past but is now viewed as outdated and stigmatizing. Today, healthcare professionals would say that a person has an alcohol use disorder (AUD).

This could include people with high-functioning AUD, but these criteria are not definitive characteristics. However, this and other related misnomers such as “functional alcoholic” are no longer used because of the potential stigma that can prevent someone from seeking help. While their appearance may not be any different and they can still fulfill their responsibilities, you’ll start to see a pattern develop of turning to alcohol to cope with family, work or personal issues.

Signs of Alcohol Use Disorder

It may also cause an individual to refuse to travel to areas where alcohol access may be limited. A test recommended by the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) is the alcohol use disorders identification test (AUDIT). While some struggle with their addiction, others can live successful lives.

How does a doctor diagnose AUD?

In addition to the health effects of having an alcohol use disorder, does alcohol affect gallbladder it can also take a toll on relationships. Drinking doesn’t just affect the individual; it affects the entire family unit. 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. 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.

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. If you have AUD but are not connected with treatment, the risk of progressing to more severe AUD is much greater. 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.

These setups can also work along with 12-step programs such as Alcoholics Anonymous. Relating to other people with substance abuse issues may help someone drug rehab success rate statistics break through denial and begin to recover. “Functioning” is subjective and limiting when describing a person living with alcohol use disorder.

An intervention is a planned meeting in which the concerned parties confront the alcoholic about their behavior. Even ptsd from alcoholic parent though they may want to stop, many functioning alcoholics often won’t know where or how to begin the process. 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.

If needed, your doctor may also order blood tests to check your liver function. Although you might not hit all the criteria for the condition, and the impact on your life may appear minimal, AUD is a chronic and progressive condition. This means the negative impact on your life will likely grow, and the condition will not get better on its own without treatment. There are no official diagnostic criteria for what it means to be high functioning.

Both binge drinking and heavy drinking patterns increase a person’s risk of AUD and are common behaviors among people with AUD. The way people with alcohol use disorder present in their day-to-day lives varies significantly. Media portrayal of people with alcohol use disorder is often stereotypical and does not accurately reflect the complexity of alcoholism as a disease. Your doctor or another medical or mental health professional can provide you with more information and guidance about alcoholism and suggest how to speak to your loved one.

Call now to connect with a treatment provider and start your recovery journey. Many alcoholics succeed at work and in school and have great relationships. Nevertheless, high-functioning alcoholics have an addiction disorder which requires treatment. High-functioning alcoholics will do what they can to drink while appearing sober.

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