The person may offer excuses or attempt to explain away their addiction, but stay firm and offer to help the person start treatment. If possible, get other family member and friends involved and stage an intervention. 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.

People who are concerned about their drinking habits, and those who are showing signs of an AUD, may wish to reach out for help and support. According to the NIAAA, the majority of people with an AUD can benefit addiction group activities from some form of treatment. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), 95,000 people lose their lives every year due to excessive alcohol use. People should note that the term “high functioning alcoholic” is no longer in use within the medical community.

Whether you symptoms of roofied have an alcoholic spouse, partner or other loved one, you may be wondering how to help. 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. These include 24-hour hotlines, detox centers and rehab facilities. Unfortunately, even when functional alcoholics begin to recognize that they have a drinking problem, they still resist reaching out for help.

1. This is because high-functioning alcoholics are often in denial about their addiction, so they are less likely to seek treatment.
2. Reach out to a treatment provider for free today for immediate assistance.
3. That is why alcohol detox and alcohol withdrawal treatment is administered by medical professionals.
4. Many of the effects of drinking every day can be reversed through early intervention.
5. The signs and symptoms listed above should be a good indicator of high-functioning alcoholism.
6. They may try to quit independently, but the withdrawals are too unpleasant or severe.

What Are the Signs?

No matter how well high-functioning alcoholics conceal their addiction or maintain their careers and relationships, they are still alcoholics. Therefore, they are living with the risks and effects of alcoholism. Many high-functioning alcoholics in recovery have testified that someone can only live a normal life with alcoholism for so long until the disorder starts to affect their health and behavior. For example, high-functioning alcoholics are at greater risk for driving under the influence and committing other alcohol-related crimes.

Even if a high-functioning alcoholic never suffers any legal or professional consequences from alcohol abuse, their body will still suffer. Long-term, chronic drinking damages a person’s brain, heart, liver, and other vital organs. For this reason, all forms of alcoholism are potentially lethal. High-functioning alcoholics who drink for decades risks developing cirrhosis, cancer, and heart disease. We publish material that is researched, cited, edited and reviewed by licensed medical professionals. The information we provide is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment.

Alcohol withdrawal can begin within hours of ending what is a substance abuse counselor a drinking session. 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. Functional alcoholics differ from those who struggle with alcoholism, primarily in how alcohol affects their lives. If you’re the loved one of someone in either group, it’s important to know how to deal with an alcoholic effectively if you want to help them get well. Family members may feel on edge and worried about their loved ones drinking.

What Is a High-Functioning Alcoholic?

In fact, their families and friends might not even know they are alcoholics if they show no signs of having a substance use disorder. Some high-functioning alcoholics will even keep their alcoholism a secret or fail to recognize it themselves. The more a person drinks, the more at risk they are of developing severe alcohol use disorder. It can lead to liver disease, pancreatitis, some forms of cancer, brain damage, serious memory loss, and high blood pressure. It also makes someone more likely to die in a car wreck or from murder or suicide.

Getting Help As a Functional Alcoholic

An alcoholic in denial may become extremely manipulative, tearful, angry or hostile when faced with the need for alcohol treatment. An experienced intervention specialist can help the participants prepare for these reactions so they can respond effectively. Even though they may want to stop, many functioning alcoholics often won’t know where or how to begin the process. This is where family, friends and medical professionals can work together to create a plan to help end this cycle before they do more harm to themselves. High-functioning alcoholics will rarely admit that they have a problem.

Get Professional Help

When you’re ready to seek help, or if you have questions about how to live with an alcoholic, we’re here for you. There are many rehab centers and support groups, both online and in-person, for people who are working to achieve sobriety. If you’re ready to get started, contact a treatment provider today to learn more about your treatment options. This article explores the meaning of the term high functioning alcoholic, looks at the signs and symptoms of alcohol use disorder (AUD), how people can help friends and family, and more.