Alcohol is the HFA’s best friend and it is hard for anyone to compete with that relationship. In addition, these loved ones will report that while the HFA may provide for the family financially, that they are not able to be supportive emotionally. This can happen in a subtle manner over time, but can ultimately damage and destroy families. Unfortunately, many high-functioning alcoholics tend to believe they don’t need treatment.

What is a high-functioning alcoholic?

The NIAAA offers a range of assessment tools and strategies to help people understand their drinking patterns, reduce their drinking, or quit completely. It is important to note that these signs may not be obvious to a loved one or friend. This is because people can be skillful at hiding the signs of an issue with alcohol. Due to some people’s ability to mask their AUD, it is difficult to find research on those that are high functioning. When you call our team, you will speak to a Recovery Advocate who will answer any questions and perform a pre-assessment to determine your eligibility for treatment. If eligible, we will create a treatment plan tailored to your specific needs.

High-functioning alcoholic

If any of the factors below are familiar with you or someone you love, you might be at higher risk of becoming a functioning alcoholic. ‘High-functioning alcoholics’, or ‘functioning alcoholic’, are colloquial terms for someone who is dependent on alcohol but is still able to function relatively effectively in their daily life. They will be able to continue doing many of their daily tasks like going to work and looking after family members.

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It also shifts for individuals throughout the course of their sobriety. Although a person with high-functioning alcoholism may appear fine, they are not. BetterHelp can connect you to an addiction and mental health counselor. Sometimes, only the people close to them will notice their problematic drinking patterns. Because of this appearance, their problem doesn’t seem as severe as other types of alcoholism. The refusal to abstain can become more apparent in certain situations.

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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. Being able to carry out regular responsibilities with AUD is not the same as being free of the disease. Alcohol use disorder can still have a significant impact on a person’s life, even if they appear to be coping from the outside. “Mental health care is critical for achieving long-term success in overcoming AUD,” says Elhaj.

Impact of Being a Functional Alcoholic

Peer pressure and easy availability of alcohol can increase the risk of developing an AUD. Negative life experiences, such as grief, abuse, or living in poverty, can barbiturate withdrawal symptoms also increase the odds. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), 95,000 people lose their lives every year due to excessive alcohol use.

The societal perception that success and alcoholism are mutually exclusive further reinforces this denial, making it difficult for individuals to acknowledge their need for help. It is crucial to recognize that high-functioning alcoholism is a serious condition that requires attention and treatment. A high functioning alcoholic is an informal term that refers to someone who appears to maintain a successful professional and personal life while drinking excessive amounts of alcohol. Drinking is often covert, and the person may deny they have any issue with their drinking.

1. Drinking excessive amounts of alcohol can impact short- and long-term physical and mental health.
2. My understanding of HFAs is also from a personal perspective—I have been in recovery from alcoholism for almost five years.
3. Research has shown that chronic alcoholics often suffer from such impairments, which can be a hurdle in recognizing the problem and seeking appropriate treatment.
4. 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.

The earlier a person begins drinking, the more likely they are to develop an alcohol addiction. These tests are provided by a healthcare professional and go in depth about your relationship with alcohol. The test helps give your doctor an idea of what treatment is best for you. Support from other people who struggle with alcohol use disorder is an integral part of recovery, alongside medical treatment. These behaviors are potential signs that a person is unable to control their cravings for alcohol or they’re trying to resolve withdrawal symptoms by drinking, both of which are symptoms of AUD. Drinking alone or being secretive about drinking can be another sign of alcohol use disorder.

A « functional alcoholic » (or « alcohol poisoning symptoms, causes, complications, and treatment« ) isn’t a formal medical diagnosis, but a term used colloquially to describe a person who is dependent upon alcohol but can still function in society. The term “currently-functioning » may be used since it’s not likely they will remain functional (and not misuse alcohol) indefinitely. Alcohol abuse can sometimes be confusing and difficult to spot, especially if an individual appears to be capable of doing everything they need to maintain core aspects of their lives.

By Sarah Bence, OTR/LBence is an occupational therapist with a range of work experience in mental healthcare settings. 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. Sarah Allen Benton, M.S., LMHC., LPC, is a licensed mental health counselor and author of Understanding the know the difference between ethanol and alcohol. Sometimes, a person’s personality can influence their tendency for denial. Certain traits, such as independence and perfectionism, can add to a person’s hesitancy or reticence to seek help, says Grawert. Even if you are aware that your drinking has become a problem, it’s common to worry about what others might think.

HFAs are less apt to feel that they need treatment or help for their alcoholism and often slide through the cracks of the health care system, both medically and psychologically, because they are not diagnosed. Sadly, according to the National Epidemiological Survey on Alcohol and Related Conditions, only 25 percent of alcoholics ever receive treatment—indicating a serious problem of denial on a societal level. It is not uncommon for individuals with AUD to experience conflict with family and friends, and have drinking negatively impact their job, schooling, and overall safety. For this reason, these factors are a part of the diagnostic criteria. America’s National Institutes of Health estimate that as many as 20% of all people suffering from alcohol addiction are highly functioning.

You could have AUD even if you are able to keep a relatively normal life if you fulfill at least two of the DSM-5 criteria for the condition. It is important to know that an AUD is a chronic but treatable disease. Early intervention and treatment can help reduce the severity of the disease and prevent further physical or mental complications from developing. Recovered.org provides an anonymous online evaluation tool to check if drinking has become problematic and provides further resources for help and support.

Drinking alcohol at unconventional times—such as early in the day or at gatherings where nobody else is drinking—is another hallmark of this disease. One sign that someone may have alcohol use disorder is that they consume excessive amounts of alcohol. This can look like binge drinking (drinking a lot over a short period) or heavy drinking (drinking a lot over a more extended period).

However, there are individuals that meet the criteria for AUD but do not experience these impacts. As with anyone who is struggling with an alcohol dependency, acceptance is an initial but significant step. From here, there are many things you can do to help get you on a path to recovery. You can also dispel some of the myths and stereotypes about alcoholics that I have written about in other blog posts on this site and in my book Understanding the High-Functioning Alcoholic.

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). Priory is currently offering 10% off private self-pay addiction inpatient treatment, for admissions until 31st August inclusive. Get a free initial assessment with a therapist, to help you take the first step towards recovery.

An HFA is an alcoholic who is able to maintain his or her outside life, such as a job, home, family, and friendships, all while drinking alcoholically. HFAs have the same disease as the stereotypical « skid-row » alcoholic, but it manifests or progresses differently. It can lead to liver disease, pancreatitis, some forms of cancer, brain damage, serious memory loss, and high blood pressure. It also makes someone more likely to die in a car wreck or from murder or suicide.