What is a Functioning Alcoholic? Signs of High-Functioning Alcoholism
What is a High-Functioning Alcoholic?
While some of the criteria used to diagnose an AUD include an inability to control drinking even after it has caused issues at their job or in their personal life, someone who is a “high-functioning alcoholic” may not demonstrate this diagnostic criteria. However, they may meet other criteria that leads to a diagnosis of AUD.2
Many people use the term “alcoholic” when referring to someone who is struggling with compulsive alcohol use. However, the proper way to address such a person is to say they have an alcohol use disorder. An alcohol use disorder is a treatable chronic medical disorder that causes long-term changes in the brain that make it difficult to control drinking without leading to clinically significant impairment or distress.2
Alcohol use disorder occurs along a continuum of severity with symptoms manifesting differently in different people.2 Some people may demonstrate AUD symptoms that develop more rapidly or prove to be more severe than others’ symptoms (and vice-versa). However, only a medical professional can diagnose someone with an AUD and determine the severity of their AUD.
The current dietary guidelines for Americans from the federal departments of agriculture and health and human services recommend limiting alcoholic beverages. They also state that a person should consume alcohol in moderation if they are going to drink at all. Moderation is defined in the guidelines as being no more than 1 drink daily for women or 2 drinks daily for men. Someone who is a functioning alcoholic likely drinks more than this suggested amount or engages in periodic episodes of excessive drinking.3
Functional Tolerance
Many people who abuse alcohol develop a tolerance to its effects.5,6 Alcohol tolerance develops as the body adapts to compensate for the disruption caused by alcohol, and a person must drink a larger amount of alcohol to produce the same effect.2,5,6 Tolerance is one of the criteria that can be used to diagnose an alcohol use disorder.2,7 However, tolerance (like other diagnostic criteria for alcohol use disorder) can decrease or disappear if you don’t drink for periods of time.7
Functional tolerance refers to a phenomenon where a person can ingest significant amounts of alcohol – either at once or slowly over time – and not appear to be intoxicated.2,6 A person who has developed a functional tolerance to alcohol may be under the influence of alcohol without it being noticeable, thus allowing them to participate in certain daily activities in a manner that appears normal to others.2,5,6
Are You or a Loved One a Functioning Alcoholic? Know the Signs
High-functioning alcoholism (or alcohol use disorders in general) can be hard to identify. There are certain behaviors that may indicate that someone has a problem with alcohol use. The diagnostic traits of an alcohol use disorder often overlap with behaviors displayed by a so-called “functioning alcoholic.”.1,2
If you or someone you love is exhibiting behaviors of high-functioning alcoholism, consider getting the advice of your doctor or another medical professional to discuss objectively whether or not your drinking habits are problematic.
Early Intervention: Why it Matters
Intervening early to diagnose and subsequently receive treatment for an alcohol use disorder can help someone prevent further progression in the severity of their disease. Early intervention may also prevent the development of further alcohol-related physical or mental health complications.2,9,10
Substance use treatment for a mild alcohol use disorder can often be provided in a minimally intensive outpatient environment vs. an inpatient or residential facility, and may even be offered through your primary care doctor.10
Treatment interventions for AUDs include behavioral therapy and medications. Screening for AUD and providing these early treatment interventions is becoming more frequent in the practice of primary care physicians. Primary care physicians are also facilitating earlier patient education about AUDs, and helping patients effectively manage cravings, cope with stressors in healthier ways, and prevent a return to unhealthy alcohol use.11 Should a primary care physician think a higher level of care is required, they may make referrals to more intensive methods of treatment.10
If you are living with a high-functioning alcoholic, you may be more likely than someone living outside of the household to notice their seemingly benign drinking habits. Consider having an open and honest discussion with your loved one about their alcohol use and encourage them to discuss it with a counselor or their primary care doctor.
Your loved one may deny having an issue with alcohol use, pointing out the ways they are functional in their daily lives and haven’t experienced the negative consequences typically associated with alcohol addiction.
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.
How to Help a High-Functioning Alcoholic
It can be difficult to watch someone you care about struggle with alcohol use. If you are related to or in a relationship with a functional alcoholic, there are resources that can help them recover. These resources may be as close as their doctor’s office or it may include treatment facilities or peer support groups – all may be effective in someone’s aim to reduce or cease their unhealthy drinking behaviors.10
Alcohol addiction treatment is offered in a variety of settings, with the setting dependent on the unique needs and preferences of each individual.10 Inpatient or residential alcohol rehab is provided in a setting where the person stays in a facility for the entire duration of treatment and staff offers frequent monitoring and care.10,12
Outpatient care allows a person to continue to live at home not having to take time away from school or work, while receiving treatment that can range in intensity depending on the person’s needs.10,12
Peer support or self-help groups can also be helpful in reducing or stopping problematic drinking behavior. Alcoholics Anonymous is a 12-step fellowship that has meetings around the world to help people stop drinking using a spiritual-based program.13 SMART Recovery is a peer support group that encourages abstinence by applying evidence-based principles in meetings.14 Women for Sobriety encourages women to address emotional issues associated with alcohol use, along with contributing factors to alcoholism with the help of supportive relationships within the group.15
American Addiction Centers offers a range of treatment services in facilities across the country to help treat alcohol use disorders. With multiple facilities providing a full range of care from detox to outpatient treatment, American Addiction Centers can help your loved one overcome their unhealthy relationship with alcohol and co-occurring disorders such as depression. With our help, patients don’t only appear to function normally, but feel and experience life to its greatest potential as a sober and recovering individual.
Take Our “Am I an Alcoholic?” Self-Assessment
Take our free, 5-minute “Am I an Alcoholic?” self-assessment below if you think you or someone you love might be struggling with an alcohol use disorder (AUD). The evaluation consists of 11 yes or no questions that are intended to be used as an informational tool to assess the severity and probability of an AUD. The test is free, confidential, and no personal information is needed to receive the result.
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