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. But if they continue down this path without seeking professional help, their performance and health will gradually deteriorate as profound alcohol dependence develops. The answer to this question might surprise one, but it is no, such people cannot, at least not all on their own. Functional alcoholism can be overcome with time and treatment, but one cannot wish it away or take command of it through willpower alone. According to this study, even in highly-educated and high-functioning groups of men, alcohol abuse and dependence predicted the onset and cessation of alcohol-related problems.
- Some of these individuals may drink moderately or steadily throughout the day.
- The sooner chronic alcoholism is identified, the better it could be treated and managed.
- As previously mentioned, the term “functional alcoholic” is not a formal diagnosis or a medical condition.
- Medically-supervised detox followed by an inpatient treatment program can increase the likelihood of successful recovery and help people regain control.
Interestingly, while this group drinks less often than other alcoholics, they tend to “binge drink” more often and consume more alcohol during those binges. For example, on “binge days,” members of this group often consume up to 14 drinks. Although the average age of this group is 24, most have spent at least the last four years as an alcoholic. Express an openness to talk about their drinking, provide support and establish boundaries. Make it clear to him that you will not support their drinking or unhealthy behaviors, and you will not share in the consequences. For anyone who’s concerned about a loved one’s drinking, please find a community of support like Al-Anon.
Alcoholism, like any other mental health condition, doesn’t discriminate. It doesn’t matter our age, culture, level of education, nationality, or gender; it can target anyone in a vulnerable state of mind. On this page, we will look closely at high-functioning alcoholism – in other words, those whose drinking problems often go unnoticed by those around them and, in some cases, go unnoticed by themselves. Alcoholism is a disease that slowly develops over time, not all at once. While everyone may experience this progression differently, there are four common stages people go through when becoming a functional alcoholic. A functioning alcoholic, otherwise a high-functioning alcoholic, depends on alcohol but can function professionally, personally, and socially.
Symptoms of various stages of alcohol withdrawal include:
A detox may take place at a hospital or inpatient facility, such as rehab. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), 95,000 people lose their lives every year due to excessive alcohol use. Due to some people’s ability to mask their AUD, it is difficult to find research on those that are high functioning. If they are open and willing, they might enter into an inpatient rehab and begin a new chapter in life. If they are in denial, you will have to hold fast to your boundaries. But your value is not dictated by your loved one and their addiction.
High functioning alcoholic: What to know
An intervention from loved ones can help some people recognize and accept that they need professional help. If you’re concerned about someone who drinks too much, ask a professional experienced in alcohol treatment for advice on how to approach that person. A functional sober living houses alcoholic flies under the radar because of their ability to perform at an average or above-average level in society. In other words, this person is able to do their job, have relationships, and manage family obligations despite alcohol use that is harmful.
The conventional definition is that this would be an individual who needs their regular drink but can perform their duties without any problem. They consume alcohol regularly and rarely go to an event or get-together without alcoholic drinks. You know they depend on alcohol, but they might jokingly refer to themselves as “functioning alcoholics”. Speaking about the issues you’ve been facing may seem small, but it’s an important step towards bringing your addiction under control. A support network of loved ones around you will be very important during the recovery process. America’s National Institutes of Health estimate that as many as 20% of all people suffering from alcohol addiction are highly functioning.
Withdrawal symptoms can begin six hours after a person’s last drink. Consuming large amounts of alcohol over a long period is most likely to result in alcohol use disorder. However, the time it takes for the condition to develop is highly individual. “The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders” provides diagnostic criteria for identifying alcohol use disorder. For a person to be diagnosed with the condition, three of the following factors must have been present for at least twelve months. The longer you live with AUD, the higher your risk of developing complications that can lead to death.
Alcohol use disorder
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. 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. A “functional alcoholic” (or “high-functioning alcoholic”) 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.
Impact of Being a Functional Alcoholic
Alcohol use disorder can include periods of being drunk (alcohol intoxication) and symptoms of withdrawal. If you’re worried about addressing your alcohol problem in person (or reside in an area , you can participate in treatment, therapy, or mutual help/support groups online. Consider cutting back on your own alcohol consumption as a way supporting families through addiction with treatment without walls to encourage a friend or loved one to drink less. If you’re concerned about your own alcohol use or the drinking habits of someone you love, here’s what you can do. By Toketemu Ohwovoriole
Toketemu has been multimedia storyteller for the last four years. Her expertise focuses primarily on mental wellness and women’s health topics.
The signs of alcoholism
This includes information we publish on our website, which undergoes a thorough editorial process. They can assess your symptoms and offer next steps, be it treatment or other methods of support. Groups like Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) or Drinkline offer free, confidential, over-the-phone advice and support for people who are concerned about their drinking. The symptoms and risk factors above should help alcohol, headaches and hangovers give you an idea of whether you, or someone you know, may be a functioning alcoholic. 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.
High-functioning alcoholic is another way of describing this type of drinking. It’s best to refer to the person as someone who is suffering from alcohol use disorder (AUD). It’s not about the frequency of the alcohol consumption, but the nature of a person’s relationship with alcohol—and the way it impacts them physically and mentally—that makes it problematic. That’s not to say that some with this problem aren’t daily drinkers. James’ experience is unfortunately all too common, and there are many functional alcoholics across the UK who often don’t realise the extent of their drinking until it’s too late.
The term “functional alcoholic” is heavily debated in the addiction community, but it’s part of the social vernacular so it’s valuable to discuss the common misconceptions. Just because someone with an alcohol use disorder (the medical term for an alcoholic) is functioning doesn’t mean they’re functioning well or functioning in each aspect of their lives. Keep that idea in mind while you approach the topic of alcohol abuse and addiction.
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. Priory aspires to deliver the highest quality care in the UK across our range of services, which include acute mental healthcare, addiction treatment and low and medium secure facilities.