Author: Alex Thompson

How to Recognize a Functional Alcoholic

Although you may still hear people talking about “alcoholism” or “alcohol abuse,” the official term is alcohol use disorder (AUD). And it’s all still problem drinking, even if you think it’s “mild.” If AUD goes unrecognized and untreated, it’s linked to risks in many aspects of your health and life. American Addiction Centers offers a range of treatment services in facilities across the country to help treat alcohol use disorders. With our help, patients don’t only appear to function normally, but feel and experience life to its greatest potential as a sober and recovering individual.

While some struggle with their addiction, others can live successful lives. ” self-assessment below if you think you or someone you love might be struggling with an alcohol use disorder (AUD). The evaluation consists of 11 yes or no questions that are intended to be used as an informational tool to assess the severity and probability of an AUD. The test is free, confidential, and no personal information is needed to receive the result. The National Institute of Health suggests that loved ones should start by talking about their concerns.

Since people with high-functioning AUD can be on the milder spectrum of the condition, the earlier treatment happens, the more it may be possible to avoid a progression. It can also ultimately lead to relationship difficulties as well as legal and financial problems. For example, you might imagine an “alcoholic” as someone who is constantly near-blackout drunk, and someone who’s unable to maintain a job or family life.

Impact of Being a Functional Alcoholic

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 is research showing that about 19.5 percent of people with AUD are middle-aged, well-educated, and have stable jobs, homes, and families. This could include people with high-functioning AUD, but these criteria are not definitive characteristics. There are no official diagnostic criteria for what it means to be high functioning. For this reason, it is hard to determine exactly how many people might have high-functioning AUD.

1. Who they are when they’re at home, work, or with casual acquaintances is completely different from who they are when they’re in the routine of drinking.
2. The main risk of high-functioning alcoholism is the potential for a worsening condition.
3. This could include people with high-functioning AUD, but these criteria are not definitive characteristics.
4. Your doctor can give you medication to help manage withdrawal symptoms and help you lessen alcohol cravings to reduce the risk of drinking again.
5. If someone you are close to is living with alcohol use disorder, you may be looking for ways to help them cope with the impacts of their disease on your own life.
6. Unfortunately, even when functional alcoholics begin to recognize that they have a drinking problem, they still resist reaching out for help.

Risks of excessive alcohol use

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. Another common sign of high-functioning alcoholics is that they are able to separate their drinking from other parts of their life. Who they are when they’re at home, work, or with casual acquaintances is completely different from who they are when they’re in the routine of drinking. Although an intervention can take many forms, many of these meetings open with each participant stating how the alcoholic’s behavior has harmed or disappointed them.

When the pain or embarrassment gets bad enough, they can no longer deny that their drinking needs to be addressed. These therapies are available one-on-one or in small groups in an inpatient or outpatient setting. Some people with AUD may attend an inpatient recovery program, in which they stay at a facility for at least 28 days to receive concentrated treatment in a controlled environment. 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.

Warning Signs of Alcoholism

If you’re the loved one of someone in either group, it’s important to know how to deal with an alcoholic effectively if you want to help them get well. For people with functioning AUD, seeking treatment as an outpatient may help them reduce disruptions to their work or family life. Your doctor can give you medication to help manage withdrawal symptoms and help you lessen alcohol cravings to reduce the risk of drinking again.

They Always Have An Explanation For Why They Drink

There may also be new legal issues arising for them, like driving under the influence or making other poor decisions. If you’re seeking help for yourself or a loved one, our expert team is here to guide you every step of the way. Outpatient programs make it possible for you to get treatment during the day and still live at home. These numbers do not include people who have died in alcohol-related accidents or violence, so the overall number is likely much higher. 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. However, a doctor should recommend the best type of treatment for each person since the severity and presentation can vary from person to person.

How does a doctor diagnose AUD?

People who live fully functional lives can still have AUD and can benefit from treatment and support. The condition causes changes in the brain that decrease the ability to quit on your own. This makes it important to seek medical treatment and peer support in your recovery process. The main risk of high-functioning alcoholism is the potential for a worsening condition. Over time, you may struggle to maintain social and familial obligations and relationships.

How to help a person with AUD?

Consciously or unconsciously, the codependent may help the alcoholic to continue drinking to maintain the status quo. Many high-functioning alcoholics earn a good living and can support their families while continuing to drink. 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.