What is a High Functioning Alcoholic? Definition & Signs

The term “currently-functioning” may be used since it’s not likely they will remain functional (and not misuse alcohol) indefinitely. ‘High-functioning alcoholics’, or ‘functioning alcoholic’, are colloquial terms for someone who’s dependent on alcohol but is still able to function relatively effectively in their daily life. They’ll be able to continue doing many of their daily tasks like going to work and looking after family members. The term high functioning alcoholic is no longer in use in the medical community. However, some people may use the phrase to refer to individuals who are experiencing an AUD but are still able to successfully function in their work and personal lives. While social drinking is a common part of some cultures, it’s different from “responsible drinking” which emphasizes moderation and safety.

1. They might also isolate themselves from other people to spend time drinking alone.
2. To learn more about addiction treatment and recovery resources, please contact a Recovery Advocate at The Recovery Village Atlanta Drug and Alcohol Rehab today.
3. 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.
4. In this article, learn more about why the term “functioning alcoholic” is outdated and the impact of living with untreated alcohol use disorder.
5. Someone with functioning alcoholism is still meeting most or all of their responsibilities and obligations at home and work.

For example, you may not be able to contact a loved one for a period of time. Later, you’re told they were “just with friends,” but they may have been binge drinking. Some suffer blackouts and miss blocks of time during their day as a result.

It’s a myth to believe that because they seem to be able to “control” their drinking, it’s not doing harm to them. While the appearance of their drinking may seem functional, there might be hidden consequences as a result of their alcohol use disorder. Although some well-known signs of addiction may not be present, for example a DUI or a lost job, those outcomes may yet happen. And there are other less obvious warning signals you can look for that indicate an alcohol use disorder. 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.

Non-high functioning signs

Alcohol becomes a daily necessity, almost a part of who they are. Alcoholism is a chronic, progressive, and lifelong disease that needs to be treated, whether the alcoholic is a lawyer or a homeless person. The face of the alcoholic needs to be changed and the walls of denial must be broken down in order that alcoholics everywhere can receive proper diagnosis and treatment. To cope with your stress, you may want to attend a support group for family and friends of people with alcohol use disorder (such as Al-Anon) or consider therapy.

High functioning alcoholic: What to know

People who are close to a person with AUD may need support to understand how to help their loved ones. However, a doctor should recommend the best type of treatment for each person since the severity and presentation can vary from person to person. If needed, your doctor may also order blood tests to check your liver function. Since you only need to fulfill 2 or more of the DSM-5 criteria within the last year to be diagnosed with AUD, you might still be fully contributing to your home life, job, and other areas of your life.

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Detox under medical supervision is a safer and more effective option than attempting to detox without help. By Sarah Bence, OTR/LBence is an occupational therapist with a range of work experience in mental healthcare settings. Consider speaking to your primary care provider about your concerns or attending a support group as a first step. Support from other people who struggle with alcohol use disorder is foaming at the mouth drugs an integral part of recovery, alongside medical treatment. 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. Drinking alone or being secretive about drinking can be another sign of alcohol use disorder.

Join our expert psychiatrist, Priory’s Dr Renju Joseph, as he discusses the key signs and symptoms of alcoholism – informed by years of experience treating people with addiction issues. You might hear the term ‘currently functioning’ used to emphasise that a person’s ability to function right now is unlikely to last. Alcohol addiction can have a devastating effect on someone’s life, but how long it takes someone’s drinking problem to affect their daily functioning will differ from person to person. Peer pressure and easy availability of alcohol can increase the risk of developing an AUD.

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. A doctor may also diagnose AUD by asking about your health history and drinking patterns. If you give permission, they may speak to your family or loved ones regarding how much you drink. 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.

Alcoholism affects everyone in a household— not just the individual who drinks. Alcohol abuse increases the risk of physical and emotional violence, as well as substance abuse in other family members. An addiction therapist can help you find positive ways to deal with the stress of living with a functional alcoholic.

Negative life experiences, such as grief, abuse, or living in poverty, can also increase the odds. High-functioning alcoholism is defined by the alcohol’s ability to work or function normally. These people appear successful and healthy despite a possible underlying alcohol use disorder. A high-functioning alcoholic will usually appear healthy despite consuming large amounts of alcohol.

Many people who suffer from alcohol use disorder struggle to acknowledge they’ve developed a dependence on the substance. Unlike some sufferers, whose lives have been severely damaged due to alcohol, high functioning alcoholics may not be able to see significant consequences for their drinking. American Addiction Centers offers a range of treatment services in facilities across the country to help treat alcohol use disorders.