Various behavioral, physical, and emotional signs indicate a person may be struggling with alcohol addiction, even in high-functioning individuals. This article reviews signs family members may miss and explains how BlueCrest Recovery Center offers support.
Key Takeaways
- High-functioning alcoholics may not be what you picture when you think of an alcoholic, but there are behavioral, emotional, and physical signs to look out for.
- Because symptoms are difficult to detect, they often escalate over time, and people can reach a crisis point before anyone realizes there’s a problem.
- Fortunately, help is available. Families should talk to their loved one without judgment and discuss treatment options, which generally include a combination of detox, rehab, and aftercare.
Table of Contents
- What Are the Warning Signs of High-Functioning Alcoholism?
- What Are the Hidden Risks of High-Functioning Alcoholism?
- How Can I Talk to a Loved One About Their Drinking?
- What Are Treatment Options for Functional Alcoholism?
- How Can I Care For Myself While Helping Someone With a Drinking Problem?
- Contact BlueCrest Recovery to Start Your Journey Today
- FAQs
Introduction
When we think of a person with alcohol use disorder, we might picture someone with an unstable job and home environment. But NIAAA research reveals that about 19.5% of U.S. adults with alcohol dependence fall into the “functional” subtype, typically middle-aged, well-educated, and with stable jobs and families. Because the signs are easy to overlook, the problem can go unaddressed for longer.
However, families who recognize the signs of a high-functioning alcoholic can encourage their loved one to get help sooner. This article will review what to look out for.
What Are the Warning Signs of High-Functioning Alcoholism?
High-functioning alcoholics typically exhibit various behavioral, emotional, and physical signs, as follows:
- Behavioral signs
- Drinking to relax, cope, or “unwind” every day
- Difficulty stopping at one or two drinks
- Hiding, minimizing, or lying about how much they drink
- Defensiveness when alcohol comes up
- Physical signs
- High tolerance and rarely appearing intoxicated
- Frequent hangovers or early morning drinking
- Withdrawal symptoms (shakiness, sweating, irritability)
- Emotional and personality signs
- Mood swings, irritability, or anxiety
- Emotional distance from family
- Lifestyle and social signs
- Family events and routines revolving around alcohol
- Justifying drinking as a reward for hard work
- Missed commitments or memory gaps, often brushed off
What Are the Hidden Risks of High-Functioning Alcoholism?
A functional alcoholic experiences many of the issues other people with alcohol dependence experience, such as declining physical health, relationship strains, and legal and financial issues. NIAAA 2010 data shows alcohol misuse cost the U.S. economy $249 billion in healthcare expenditures, productivity losses, crime, motor vehicle accidents, and fire losses.
However, because the problem is hidden, early intervention is less likely, so issues can progress and are often accompanied by dishonesty, which can further damage professional and personal lives. For example:
- Financial Issues: These are common among people with alcohol dependency who spend money on drinking while productivity at work diminishes. When drinking is secret, spending from shared accounts can quietly affect the family’s finances.
- Physical Health Complications: A high-functioning alcoholic may deny or be secretive about physical health issues related to alcohol consumption and may not see a doctor until it’s too late.
- Relationship Strains: Alcohol misuse often strains relationships, as individuals spend more time drinking and less time at social events. The secrecy surrounding it can cause further damage.
- Legal Issues: When legal issues occur, drinking becomes more difficult to hide.
How Can I Talk to a Loved One About Their Drinking?
Talking to a loved one about their drinking means choosing the right place and time, leading with concern, not judgment, using observable examples, avoiding ultimatums, and preparing for denial.
- Place & Time: Find a calm moment to talk to your loved one about alcohol addiction treatment. Avoid approaching them during conflict.
- Lead With Concern, Not Judgment: Let them know you are concerned about them and your family members, not judgmental about their drinking.
- Use Observable Examples: This type of focus avoids generalizations that can make a person defensive.
- Avoid Ultimatums: These can feel threatening. Instead, set clear boundaries about what you will and won’t do.
- Prepare for Denial: When someone is secretive about functional alcoholism, their initial response may be denial. In these instances, it may be best to pause the conversation and revisit it another time.
What Are Treatment Options for Functional Alcoholism?
Treatment for functional alcoholism typically includes medical detox (for those at risk of withdrawal), rehab, and aftercare.
- Medical Detox: Detoxing from heavy drinking can be medically serious. Clinicians typically take a medically supervised approach, using monitoring and medications to reduce the risk of complications.
- Rehab: Once stabilized, clients enter a rehab program to address issues and, possibly, mental health disorders that contribute to drinking issues. Evidence-based therapies are typically integrated, and clients learn coping mechanisms so they can deal with their emotions without alcohol. BlueCrest offers various levels of outpatient treatment to ensure a personalized approach.
- Aftercare: Ongoing support helps clients maintain sobriety as they reintegrate into daily life.
How Can I Care For Myself While Helping Someone With a Drinking Problem?
Caring for yourself while supporting someone recovering from alcohol abuse means setting healthy boundaries, attending family therapy and support groups, and looking out for your own well-being.
- Set Healthy Boundaries: These can apply to what you will or won’t do if they keep drinking, how much you will contribute to their recovery, and how you will care for your own well-being while they undergo treatment.
- Attend Family Therapy and Support Groups: Family therapy can help heal internal relationships, while support groups, specifically developed to support family members of alcoholics, can be a learning experience.
- Take Care of Your Own Well-Being: Keep seeing friends and family members, eat healthy, and stay in good shape so you can care for yourself and others.
Contact BlueCrest Recovery to Start Your Journey Today
BlueCrest Recovery understands the complexity of high-functioning alcoholism, and we can provide the support you require. We offer a wide range of outpatient treatments and a supportive living facility to ensure a stable environment. Our team provides various therapies across multiple levels, supporting a personalized approach.
Contact us to get started today.
FAQs
What is high-functioning alcoholism?
High-functioning alcoholism describes someone who meets the criteria for alcohol use disorder but still keeps up their job, relationships, and responsibilities. It isn’t a formal medical diagnosis, but the drinking is still a serious health concern.
Is a high-functioning alcoholic still an alcoholic?
Yes. Holding down a job or paying the bills doesn’t change whether someone has alcohol use disorder. The condition is defined by loss of control over drinking and continued use despite problems, not by how put-together someone looks.
What are the most common signs of high-functioning alcoholism?
Common signs of high-functioning alcoholism include drinking daily to relax or cope, a high tolerance, difficulty stopping after one or two drinks, and hiding or minimizing how much they drink. Defensiveness when the topic comes up is also common.
Why do families miss the signs?
Families often miss the signs because success and stability make it easy to assume there’s no problem. Denial, stigma, fear of conflict, and the way alcohol is normalized socially also keep families from speaking up.
Can someone be a high-functioning alcoholic for years?
Yes, many people engage in excessive alcohol use while functioning for a long time. Over time, though, the physical, emotional, and relational costs tend to build, and the “functioning” often starts to slip.
Sources
- Moss HB, Chen CM, Yi HY. Subtypes of alcohol dependence in a nationally representative sample. Drug and Alcohol Dependence (Elsevier). https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0376871607002189
- National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism. Researchers Identify Alcoholism Subtypes. EurekAlert (NIH news release). https://www.eurekalert.org/news-releases/567904
- National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism. Alcohol Use Disorder (AUD) in the United States: Age Groups and Demographic Characteristics. NIAAA. https://www.niaaa.nih.gov/alcohols-effects-health/alcohol-topics/alcohol-facts-and-statistics/alcohol-use-disorder-aud-united-states-age-groups-and-demographic-characteristics
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- National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism. Economic Burden of Alcohol Misuse in the United States. NIAAA. https://www.niaaa.nih.gov/alcohols-effects-health/alcohol-topics-z/alcohol-facts-and-statistics/economic-burden-alcohol-misuse-united-states
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- National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism. Parental Alcohol Consumption and Consequences in Youth. NIAAA. https://www.niaaa.nih.gov/alcohols-effects-health/alcohol-topics/alcohol-facts-and-statistics/parental-alcohol-consumption-and-consequences-in-youth
- Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. National Helpline for Mental Health, Drug, Alcohol Issues. SAMHSA. https://www.samhsa.gov/find-help/helplines/national-helpline
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