High-functioning alcoholics may go to great lengths to hide their drinking or make excuses, further intensifying these negative feelings. Unfortunately, shame is another significant barrier to seeking help and support. This ability to function at a seemingly normal level can make recognizing the severity of their alcohol problem challenging.
What are the complications of AUD?
I gathered my few belongings from the night before and shamefully walked to the Boston “T” to get back home. When I arrived, reeking of booze from the evening before and makeup strewn down my face, I was confronted by two high functioning alcoholic of my female roommates. So, when supporting your loved one, it can be beneficial to lead with love, compassion, and understanding. If they’re not receptive, keep trying — and set boundaries to protect your own well-being.
Difference Between High Functioning Alcoholism and AUD
Functional alcoholics are often intelligent, hardworking and well-educated. Their professional status or personal success can make it hard to approach them about having a “problem” with alcohol. My understanding of HFAs is also from a personal perspective—I have been in recovery from alcoholism for almost five years. I, too, struggled to see that I could be accomplished academically and then professionally while drinking alcoholically. My image of the alcoholic was always an individual who could not hold his or her life together, and I certainly did not fit that description. My denial was deeply rooted and was reinforced not only by my loved ones but by society as a whole.
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- People with mild or moderate alcohol use disorder may perform poorly at work and put their jobs at risk.
- High-functioning alcoholics work hard to maintain a facade of normalcy by compartmentalizing their alcohol consumption and keeping it separate from their everyday activities and responsibilities.
- On the day Hunter Biden purchased the firearm, Cleveland said that he told Hunter Biden to take his time when filling out the Form 4473 for the purchase.
- But while the season may be fun for some, you may begin to spot someone you’re close to consuming a lot of alcohol.
- This month is relevant for everyone because mental health is just as important as physical health but is more often overlooked.
Binge drinking, social pressures, family history, mental health issues, and excess alcohol use can all increase your risk of developing an alcohol use disorder. Many people who suffer from alcohol use disorder struggle to acknowledge they have developed a dependence on the substance. Unlike some sufferers, whose lives have been severely damaged due to alcohol, high functioning alcoholics may not be able to see significant consequences for their drinking. Drinking excessive amounts of alcohol can impact short- and long-term physical and mental health. Getting help early on can reduce the risk of developing alcohol addiction.
We also record the authors and medical reviewers who contributed to previous versions of the article. These numbers do not include people who have died in alcohol-related accidents or violence, so the overall number is likely much higher. If you have AUD but are not connected with treatment, the risk of progressing to more severe AUD is much greater. 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. People who are close to a person with AUD may need support to understand how to help their loved ones. However, a doctor should recommend the best type of treatment for each person since the severity and presentation can vary from person to person.
- You may also suggest that they visit the “Rethinking Drinking” online assessment by the NIAAA and if necessary, try to set low-risk drinking limits for themselves through this online program.
- 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.
- Peer pressure and easy availability of alcohol can increase the risk of developing an AUD.
- To the outside world, someone who is a high-functioning alcoholic often does not show many signs and symptoms of AUD.
- If you believe you are struggling with an alcohol use disorder, consider reaching out for professional guidance.
But maybe they drinka few glasses of wine each night to help them fall asleep. Or, they get bombed every weekend but don’t skip a beat at their demanding job. We regularly update the articles on ChoosingTherapy.com to ensure we continue to reflect scientific consensus on the topics we cover, to incorporate new research into our articles, and to better answer our audience’s questions. When our content undergoes a significant revision, we summarize the changes that were made and the date on which they occurred.
In short, “there’s not a single image of AUD,” points out Sabrina Spotorno, a clinical social worker and alcoholism and substance abuse counselor at Monument. Choosing Therapy strives to provide our readers with mental health content that is accurate and actionable. Acceptable sources include government agencies, universities and colleges, scholarly journals, industry and professional associations, and other high-integrity sources of mental health journalism. If you think that you or someone you know may be drinking too much, ask your doctor about getting help – whether it’s from a therapist, psychiatrist, or other addiction specialist. Organizations such as the American Society of Addiction Medicine can guide you to help, too. 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.
