Characteristics of High-Functioning Alcoholics

Your doctor may also conduct imaging tests if other laboratory studies come back abnormal. For example, a computed tomography (CT) scan tests for liver enlargement, which can occur after years of chronic drinking. Your doctor may order this test if your blood tests indicate abnormal liver functioning. Although you might not hit all the criteria for the condition, and the impact on your life may appear minimal, AUD is a chronic and progressive condition.

• 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.
• If you or someone you know shows signs of high-functioning alcoholism, it’s essential to seek professional help .
• Alcoholism can take a devastating toll on a person’s physical health, emotional well-being, personal relationships and professional life.
• These people have jobs, active social lives, or happy families at home.
• The Recovery Village Atlanta offers comprehensive addiction treatment for drug and alcohol addictions and co-occurring mental health conditions.

Q5: What Is the Best Treatment for High Functioning Alcoholism?

The key difference lies in how well the individual can hide their addiction. Treatment options for substance abuse include therapy, alcohol rehab and detox programs, support groups, and medication. Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) can help address =https://ecosoberhouse.com/ underlying issues, while rehab programs offer structured support. Support groups like Alcoholics Anonymous provide community and accountability. Medications can also assist in managing cravings and withdrawal symptoms.

What Would a High-Functioning Alcoholic’s Drinking Look Like?

However, behind this facade of success lies a hidden struggle with alcohol abuse, which they may go to great lengths to conceal. Your doctor or another medical or mental health professional can provide you high functioning alcoholic with more information and guidance about alcoholism and suggest how to speak to your loved one. For the functional alcoholic, the denial runs deep, because they have yet to encounter significant negative consequences.

Does Tolerance Contribute to Alcoholism?

• 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.
• Some people struggle visibly with alcohol dependency, while others may appear to keep it all together and lead seemingly normal lives despite their addiction.
• BetterHelp offers affordable mental health care via phone, video, or live-chat.
• They might also isolate themselves from other people to spend time drinking alone.
• If you’re unsure where to begin, a primary care provider can be a good resource in the earliest stages of diagnosing an alcohol use disorder.
• A high functioning alcoholic is an informal term that refers to someone who appears to maintain a successful professional and personal life while drinking excessive amounts of alcohol.

Some people with AUD may attend an inpatient recovery program, in which they stay at a facility for at least 28 drug addiction treatment days to receive concentrated treatment in a controlled environment. Someone with alcohol use disorder may struggle to cut back on drinking or quit, either when trying to do so themselves or when asked by others to try. These criteria are often internal struggles, not observable to others. Someone can live with alcohol use disorder without anyone else noticing.

• If you’re trying to help someone you love, speaking to them openly and honestly can be one of the best things to do early on.
• Also, if you seek help for yourself or a loved one early on, outpatient rehab can be effective.
• People should note that the term “high functioning alcoholic” is no longer in use within the medical community.
• Certain factors may increase your risk of developing an alcohol problem.
• Unfortunately, even when functional alcoholics begin to recognize that they have a drinking problem, they still resist reaching out for help.

High-Functioning People with Alcohol Use Disorder

It should not be used in place of the advice of your physician or other qualified healthcare provider. The term “high functioning” refers to the fact that these individuals can maintain their daily lives without the typical disruptions seen in more severe cases of alcoholism. They may avoid the legal and social consequences that often come with heavy drinking, such as arrests for drunk driving or public intoxication. However, this ability to “function” should not be mistaken for an absence of problems. Over time, the toll on their physical and mental health becomes more evident, and their ability to manage life’s responsibilities may begin to erode.

• According to 2020 data by the CDC, nearly 30,000 people died that year from alcoholic liver disease (cirrhosis).
• It can also ultimately lead to relationship difficulties as well as legal and financial problems.
• A test recommended by the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) is the alcohol use disorders identification test (AUDIT).