If needed, your doctor may also order blood tests to check your liver function. However, there are individuals that meet the criteria for AUD but do not experience these impacts. By Buddy TBuddy T is a writer and founding member of the Online Al-Anon Outreach Committee with decades of experience writing about alcoholism.

• 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.
• That could mean going on early morning hikes, taking up painting, or learning how to cook.
• We believe everyone deserves access to accurate, unbiased information about mental health and addiction.
• Although some well-known signs of addiction may not be present, for example a DUI or a lost job, those outcomes may yet happen.

Starting Recovery from High-Functioning Alcohol Addiction

When a loved one has a drinking problem, it’s hard to know how to help, especially if they are in denial. Consider speaking to your primary care provider about your concerns or attending a support group as a first step. It can be hard to stop enabling someone you care about once you’ve recognized it. Try to talk openly to the person about your concerns, and encourage them to seek help from resources like Alcoholics Anonymous (AA).

What is a High-Functioning Alcoholic?

• If you or someone you know has been caught lying about how much they had to drink, or you’re finding empty bottles in strange locations, you should seek help.
• This is why psychological counseling, such as talk therapy, is important if you’re recovering from AUD.
• Other free support groups, like SMART Recovery,9 are available for people who prefer a more scientific approach.
• And you might find that you feel healthier and happier without it.
• All experts agree that when talking to your loved one, it’s best to be patient and compassionate.
• Alcohol misuse has a negative effect on mental health,13 and increases your risk for depression and anxiety.

Consider not drinking yourself (at least temporarily), says Kennedy. You, too, might realize that your relationship with alcohol is negatively affecting your life. And you might find that you feel healthier and happier without it. “Functioning alcoholic” is an outdated term that in the past was used to describe people with alcohol use disorder who appear to meet their everyday responsibilities. However, alcohol use disorder is diagnosed based on a set of criteria that aren’t always seen by others. One sign that someone may have alcohol use disorder is that they consume excessive amounts of alcohol.

• Certain factors may increase your risk of developing an alcohol problem.
• And even in casual settings, friends may unintentionally enable you to drink more than you should.
• Functional alcoholics are often intelligent, hardworking and well-educated.
• However, this condition can have just as many negative effects as more recognizable alcohol misuse.
• Depending on your exact needs, your relapse prevention plan may include personal relationships, ongoing therapy, a rehab alumni network, and in-person or online support groups.
• They may not recognize the signs of high-functioning alcoholism at first—and as a result, you may not immediately get the support you need.

What Makes Dealing with High-Functioning Alcoholics so Challenging?

If your loved one is in denial or doesn’t want to seek treatment, they’re not alone. According to the 2019 National Survey on Drug Use and Health,about 14.5 million people have an AUD, and yet only 7% received treatment that year. There are empathetic, actionable ways to support someone with an alcohol use disorder (AUD) who may be stuck in denial.

This entails living with others in recovery, which will allow you to exchange mutual support and build relationships with people at a similar stage of their journey. These behaviors are potential signs that a person is unable to control their cravings for alcohol or they’re trying to resolve withdrawal symptoms by drinking, both of which are symptoms of AUD. In this article, learn more about why the term “functioning alcoholic” is outdated and the impact of living with untreated alcohol use disorder. Many people with AUDs decide to have further treatment and support, such as attending group therapy, individual counseling, or support groups.

While the appearance of their drinking may seem functional, there might be hidden consequences as a result of their alcohol use disorder. Although some well-known signs of addiction may not be present, for example a DUI or a lost job, those outcomes may yet happen. And there are other less obvious warning signals you can look for that indicate an alcohol use disorder. Issues with work, school, and relationships are common among people living with AUD. These issues can be insidious and increase as a person becomes more dependent on alcohol. Over time, these minor signs can snowball into more significant issues.

Unfortunately, even when functional alcoholics begin to recognize that they have a drinking problem, they still resist reaching out for help. By the time they admit the problem, their withdrawal symptoms—which can begin within a few hours after their last drink—can become more and more severe. A person with high functioning alcoholism, or “alcohol use disorder,” often portrays a healthy lifestyle and drinking doesn’t seem to be an issue, when it, in fact, is.

Mental Health Services

My denial was deeply rooted and was reinforced not only by my loved ones but by society as a whole. These are just a few of the stereotypes about alcoholics that are pervasive throughout society. These stereotypes increase denial and prevent many alcoholics from getting proper diagnosis and treatment. High-functioning alcoholics (HFAs) defy these stereotypes and often go undetected because they do not fit the image of the “typical” alcoholic. Just because someone can function in their lives and not appear to have a problem doesn’t mean that they aren’t a borderline alcoholic or functioning alcoholic. Looking for the signs and symptoms in this article can bring an issue into light that wasn’t noticed before.

While cirrhosis scars from excessive drinking are irreversible, quitting alcohol and leading a healthier lifestyle can help your liver heal from alcohol-related liver disease. For the functional alcoholic, the denial runs deep, because they have yet to encounter significant negative consequences. Recognizing that you have a problem is one of the first steps high functioning alcoholic to overcome alcoholism. A high functioning alcoholic can appear to be successful, happy, and problem free but their drinking still consumes them. During an IOP, you’ll live at home and attend therapy and other treatments during the day. You may be onsite for several hours a day, several days a week; the time commitment is similar to that of a job.