If you suspect you or a loved one may be struggling with high-functioning alcoholism, know that you are not alone. Get in touch with us today to ask any questions or hear more about how our treatment options can help. It’s common for the person struggling to want to keep it hidden, too. They may feel shame about their drinking problem, be afraid that revealing it will hurt their work or family, or not know where to go for help.
Seeking Help and Finding Treatment
Psychotherapy, or “talk therapy,” is a popular counseling method for treating alcohol addiction. Both individual and group therapy sessions are offered at most alcohol treatment programs, both at the inpatient and outpatient levels. 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. The alcoholic is then presented with a plan of care, including a proposal of consequences if they decide to refuse. For instance, the alcoholic may be denied visitation rights or may be faced with a marital separation if he decides not to seek help. An alcoholic in denial may become extremely manipulative, tearful, angry or hostile when faced with the need for alcohol treatment.
Read More About Mental Health & Substance Use
Life feels like an everyday struggle right now, but it’s going to get better. Making the decision to get help for substance abuse is the first step in changing everything. High functioning alcoholics become so dependent on alcohol that it acts as a crutch for them. It may also be a way for them to self-medicate in order to cope with physical or emotional pain.
What’s the Difference Between High-Functioning Alcoholism and “Normal” Alcoholism?
High-functioning alcoholics often convince themselves—and others—that their drinking is not problematic. They might compare their habits to those who drink more excessively or argue that they do not have an issue because they hold a job and manage responsibilities. Statements like, “I only drink in social settings” or “I never drink at work” can be ways of minimizing the problem.
- Keep that idea in mind while you approach the topic of alcohol abuse and addiction.
- Broadly, the term alcohol use disorder can describe a spectrum of medical conditions characterized primarily by not being able to stop or control drinking.
- The difference is that they’ve developed strategies to hide or rationalize the extent of their drinking.
- Even if you consume small amounts throughout the day, it will cause your alcohol tolerance to build up slowly.
- A high-functioning alcoholic can go about daily life and take care of their obligations (like work or school) primarily undetected.
Powdered Alcohol: What It Is and Why It’s So Dangerous
Alcohol use disorder (AUD) is a medical condition often used to describe frequent or heavy alcohol consumption. It’s considered to be a progressive condition, meaning it starts gradually and eventually leads to the inability to stop drinking despite experiencing negative effects. However, even when there are no major crises in someone’s life caused by alcohol, it can still lead to significant underlying issues. This is why it’s important to understand the long-term effects of frequent alcohol consumption before it becomes a major issue. Alcohol use disorder high functioning alcoholic is the medical umbrella term used to describe all alcohol-related substance use disorders.
Signs and Symptoms:
However, as alcoholism progresses, it becomes more difficult to control drinking behavior. An alcoholic may start drinking more frequently or in larger quantities and experience physical and psychological withdrawal symptoms if they try to stop drinking. Even though high-functioning alcoholics may appear to be managing their lives well, they are not immune to the physical and psychological consequences of alcohol abuse.
For people with functioning AUD, seeking treatment as an outpatient may help them reduce disruptions to their work or family life. Instead, the DSM-5 has established AUD as the term alcoholism treatment to replace previous stigmatizing terms such as alcohol dependence, alcohol abuse, and alcoholism. One could argue, however, that highly-functioning alcoholism is even more dangerous since it’s difficult to spot. There is another level of alcohol use disorder referred to as non-high-functioning alcoholics. Taking action today by contacting Advanced Addiction Center could be the key to reclaiming control over your life.