Binge drinking, social pressures, family history, mental health issues, and excess alcohol use can all increase your risk of developing an alcohol use disorder. The key to overcoming functional alcoholism lies in recognizing the problem, seeking help, and committing to positive change. Whether through individual therapy, support groups, or a combination of these methods, there is hope for recovery and the opportunity to lead a healthier and more fulfilling life, free from the grip of alcohol misuse. Functional alcoholics can regain control over their lives and find the support they need to thrive in sobriety.
- They don’t experience the typical consequences of alcoholism, such as drunk driving arrests, financial problems or blackout episodes.
- Other alternatives include group or individualized therapy, consulting educational resources and books, or attending online support groups.
- And there are other less obvious warning signals you can look for that indicate an alcohol use disorder.
- As the condition progresses, cognitive effects such as memory loss, impaired decision-making, and reduced mental clarity become more pronounced.
Risk Factors for Functional Alcoholics
One such lesser-known yet widely prevalent form is functional alcoholism, a term that conjures images of individuals maintaining a seemingly normal life while struggling with alcohol dependence. Unlike the stereotypical portrayal of alcoholics, a single dose of kudzu extract reduces alcohol consumption in a binge drinking paradigms often lead successful, outwardly stable lives, making it challenging for outsiders to recognize the signs. This duality casts a shadow not only on their health and well-being but also on their personal and professional relationships. Identifying the early stages of alcoholism can help prevent dependence and addiction. Some individuals may need additional help breaking their addiction to alcohol. No matter what stage of alcoholism someone is currently experiencing, there is hope to get through their alcohol addiction.
Effects of Alcoholism on the Body
If you feel that you sometimes drink too much alcohol, or your drinking is causing problems, or if your family is concerned about your drinking, talk with your health care provider. Other ways to get help include talking with a mental health professional or seeking help from a support group such as Alcoholics Anonymous or a similar type of self-help group. Perhaps the safest method of approaching someone with a suspected substance use disorder is to perform a substance use disorder intervention. A substance use disorder intervention is a method of attempting to get an individual into treatment, orchestrated by the person’s family members and close friends. One of the five subtypes of alcoholism (alcohol dependence) that was identified in the model was the johns hopkins scientists give psychedelics the serious treatment class. Consciously or unconsciously, the codependent may help the alcoholic to continue drinking to maintain the status quo.
Living with a High-Functioning Alcoholic: Signs and Support
If cravings and withdrawal have become severe, it’s important to consult medical professionals. Alcohol withdrawal can produce a withdrawal effect known as delirium tremens that can prove life-threatening. Detox under medical supervision is a safer and more effective option than attempting to detox without help. This is why psychological counseling, such as talk therapy, is important if you’re recovering from AUD. This can help you learn new coping skills so you can turn to other behaviors instead of drinking in order to live a healthier life.
High-functioning alcoholics can benefit from having an at-home support system before, during and after any form of treatment for their addiction. There are hundreds of resources all over the country designed to address the issue of alcohol abuse and addiction. The first stage of alcoholism is a general experimentation with the substance. Individuals in this stage may not be familiar with different types of alcohol, so they are more likely to test their limits. This stage of alcoholism is often defined by the goal of “drinking to get drunk.” People who use alcohol often use it to self-medicate and escape negative thoughts and feelings. Usually, people in the first stage of alcoholism are not drinking every day, and they are still able to perform daily activities.
This means the negative impact on your life will likely grow, and the condition will not get better on its own without treatment. The classic picture of someone with alcohol use disorder is someone who always drinks too much and whose life is falling apart because of it. As their reliance on alcohol increases, you may begin to notice that your loved one downplays the role alcohol has in their lives and makes excuses for their actions, especially their drinking. You may begin to notice that a couple of beers after work has turned into a six-pack or even a case.
Alcohol poisoning occurs when the body has consumed more alcohol in a short period of time than it can process. The toxic effects of alcohol overwhelm the body and can lead to impairment and some even more serious medical side effects, including death in severe cases. While the term “alcoholic” was used in the past but is now viewed as outdated and stigmatizing. Today, healthcare professionals would say that a person has an alcohol use disorder (AUD). These groups give people affected by someone else’s alcoholism a safe environment to talk about the impact that the person has on their life. Group members include peers who provide comfort and advice to one another.
Too much alcohol affects your speech, muscle coordination and vital centers of your brain. This is of particular concern when you’re taking certain medications that also depress the brain’s function. The intervention typically occurs after significant planning has taken place. The group plans and rehearses what they will say to the individual, and has a list of potential treatment providers for the individual to consider. The person with the suspected substance use disorder is asked to go to treatment immediately (during or after the formal intervention) or specific consequences will be put in place. The notion that an individual who meets the research classification of a functional alcoholic does not have a serious disorder is a myth.
There can also be declines in their mental and overall health, especially if they’re not eating healthy diets or engaging in physical activity. They may also withdraw from social situations and find excuses to miss events or optional commitments where drinking is not available or possible. There may also be new legal issues arising for them, like driving under the influence or making other poor decisions. 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. Someone can live with alcohol use disorder without anyone else noticing.
Sometimes, people with alcohol use disorder don’t recognize their drinking is an issue, especially if they meet their work and home life responsibilities despite their alcohol dependence. As such, they may justify their drinking as a normal part of life—even though it isn’t. 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. Your doctor or another medical or mental health professional can provide you with more information and guidance about alcoholism and suggest how to speak to your loved one.
Here’s how we can face our triggers with less reactivity so that we can get on with our lives. If they are open and willing, they might enter into an inpatient rehab and begin a new chapter in life. As the condition progresses, cognitive effects such as memory loss, impaired decision-making, and reduced mental clarity become more pronounced. These cognitive impairments can lead to feelings of frustration, decreased self-esteem, and a sense of isolation. In addition, since the impact of AUD may not be as obvious, the person may be unable to recognize the severity of their condition in these early stages. 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.
The way people with alcohol use disorder present in their day-to-day lives varies significantly. Media portrayal of people with alcohol use disorder is often stereotypical and does not accurately reflect the complexity alcoholic eyes of alcoholism as a disease. In addition to the health effects of having an alcohol use disorder, it can also take a toll on relationships. Drinking doesn’t just affect the individual; it affects the entire family unit.
