While the term “functioning alcoholic” might sound innocent in a way, it should not be looked at as a good thing — and there is a wide range of mental and physical impacts that can come from long-term drinking, not to mention the drastic consequences it can cause in relationships and careers. Let’s begin by diving deep into what a functioning alcoholic is, the signs and symptoms that you can look out for, and so much more. Do not make the mistake of thinking that just because you can function means it is OK.
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What Is a Functioning Alcoholic?
A functional alcoholic is a term used to describe an alcoholic who can drink heavily and yet still maintain a normal life. Note that though the idea of alcoholism as a disease comes with many symptoms, functional alcoholics are harder to recognize. They may be able to go to work, pay bills, and look or behave normally. Many may even go days without a drink, but the criteria for alcoholism still apply as usual. In this case, just because the alcoholic is “functional” in daily life does not mean that it is not an alcohol abuse disorder.
Signs and Symptoms of a Functioning Alcoholic
You might be wondering about the differences between binge-drinking vs. alcoholism and how to spot these problems. There are a number of signs you can look for if you feel you or a loved one are a functional alcoholic. Defined by GoodRX.com, the following are signs of a functional alcoholic:
- Drinking more than two drinks a day.
- Having to hide or lie about your drinking habits.
- Noticing problems in daily life that did not exist prior to drinking more often.
- Less interest in things you once loved, as alcohol affects chemicals that cause this.
- Most importantly, physical issues such as liver damage or disease, or the development of anxiety.
The Impact of High-Functioning Alcoholism on Daily Life
A “high-functioning alcoholic” is someone who is incredibly hard to spot. They are someone who can maintain their daily responsibilities and perform even when under the influence. However, at the end of the day, even if you only drink two or three times a day, alcohol will reduce your ability to concentrate. This can affect your work routine as a functioning alcoholic and may also involve difficulty in social situations.
When we are under the influence of a drug (once again, yes, alcohol is a drug, despite most people’s perceptions), we often do not notice if our behaviors are different. Lastly, relationships may struggle, as you are still, by definition, an alcoholic. There is a false belief noted by AlcoholAwareness.org: because many consider substance use disorder a disease, it should therefore be considered a disability.
Wrong, especially when you are a functional alcoholic. This is because, under the American Disabilities Act, which protects the disabled from workplace discrimination, you are only “truly” disabled if you are unable to perform your work duties. In the case of a functional alcoholic, this plays a big role because you are not protected by any laws or regulations, as you suffer from SUD but are still able to perform your daily tasks. The point is that functional alcoholism is considered abuse, and this can put a strain on your relationships.
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Denial and Rationalization
“I don’t have a drinking problem,” someone might say after their fourth beer of the night. Denial and rationalizing your drinking is most likely the best warning sign you can have. This is when you try to defend yourself with excuses that minimize the truth. High-functioning alcoholism is no different. Some common excuses, aside from the above, are “I only drink socially,” or “I can stop whenever I want.” If you say you can stop whenever you want, but you truly cannot do so, then this is no longer a minor issue — it is a telltale sign that you are on the path to alcohol addiction.
When Casual Drinking Turns into Dependence
Many begin drinking to cope with stress or to cover up intense emotions that bubble under the surface. But over time, it continues to feed the “pleasure pathway,” which is a topic you may have read in other articles. Dopamine is a chemical in the brain that makes us feel good when we use substances and is even present when we receive money. If you turn to alcohol, even if just for social reasons (“I’m just going out with the guys,” or “I have a glass of red wine every night to help me fall asleep”), you may find that you like how it makes you feel.
Symptoms of high-functioning alcohol abuse can be harder to spot than the signs of alcoholism. Some functional alcoholics may experience a tolerance for alcohol, such as no longer feeling the same effects with one or two drinks. Others may be feeling withdrawals or a change in routine. Overall, even casual drinking can turn into functional alcoholism and may not even be as functional as you think it is. Alcohol clouds the mind, and that is what makes being a functional alcoholic so dangerous.
Physical Health Risks of Functioning Alcoholism
The same health risks apply to an alcoholic and a functional alcoholic. This includes blackouts, drowsiness, sleepiness, and, much worse than that, becoming a “non-functional” alcoholic. Just because you can drink and still function does not mean you are doing your body or brain any good. Alcohol is a dangerous substance, even in moderation or in small doses, and it can lead to chronic alcohol use, which leads to further complications such as liver disease.
Emotional and Mental Health Consequences
Long-term alcoholism, even when functioning normally, comes with the territory of depression, anxiety, and stress. This is because when you consume alcohol (or any substance, for that matter), the brain’s chemistry starts to change. This means some of the chemicals meant to keep us emotionally and mentally healthy are “rewired.” It is much like when you forget to turn the manual lights in your car off when you close the door: yes, the car is off, but the lights will still drain the battery. Other factors include reality, such as your own sense of regret or even sadness knowing that this is the person you have resorted to (such as missing your son’s football game or your daughter’s dance recital because you passed out).
The Importance of Early Intervention
While functioning alcoholics still need alcohol addiction treatment, it may be a bit easier to treat than chronic, full-blown alcohol use disorder. This is because if you can recognize the signs of using alcohol, even as a functional alcoholic, you can seek help before it becomes a chronic habit. If you have a loved one who you suspect is a functional alcoholic, you may want to follow the below advice.
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How to Approach a Functioning Alcoholic
The word “intervention” is one that is often necessary for many addicts, but because a functional alcoholic has the defense of “I still work and pay the bills,” and so on, it may be harder to convince them that they have a problem. One thing you can do is ask to sit down and chat. Pick a time when the individual in question is not under the influence of alcohol or any other substance; this will only make it worse. However, if you can express how you feel this is affecting not the functional alcoholic but rather his or her loved ones, you can start breaking down the defenses. Try to be compassionate and understanding, and if they do not take kindly to your words, do your best to continue trying to reinforce justification. In fact, it is a great idea to keep a small journal or use your phone to record moments of intoxication that are cause for concern. Read what you wrote, or show them what you saw, and though risky, it may assist.
Treatment Options for Functioning Alcoholics
At Muse Treatment, we understand the difficulties of dealing with alcoholism and substance abuse, and yes, this includes functional alcoholism. We have numerous inpatient addiction treatment, outpatient rehab options, and support group programs that allow for behavior modification, i.e., slowly but surely teaching more adaptive ways (known as coping skills) to deal with the underlying problems. We tailor our programs for each individual patient and have a wonderful staff at our Los Angeles drug rehab center that is capable of helping people overcome alcohol addiction. If you need help or you need help for a loved one, contact us online or call 800-426-1818. We’re ready to help you.
The post How to Know When a Functioning Alcoholic Needs Help appeared first on Muse Treatment.
source https://musetreatment.com/blog/functioning-alcoholic/
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