The information we provide is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. It should not be used in place of the advice of your physician or other qualified healthcare providers. Alcoholism can take a devastating toll on a person’s physical health, emotional well-being, personal relationships and professional life.
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This can look like binge drinking (drinking a lot over a short period) or heavy drinking (drinking a lot over a more extended period). Below are some signs that you or someone you love may be living with alcohol use disorder. These signs don’t always affect a person’s ability to carry out their day-to-day responsibilities. Another major sign that someone is a high-functioning alcoholic is the fact that alcohol is an important part of their life. They frequently have alcohol, talk about it, and spend money on it. They drink alcohol with every meal and often carry alcohol with them.
But most high-functioning alcoholics have friends or loved ones who help them cover up the consequences of their drinking. These individuals may unconsciously encourage or enable the alcoholic’s behavior by allowing the alcoholic to avoid the drinking age map negative consequences of destructive drinking. Although you may still hear people talking about “alcoholism” or “alcohol abuse,” the official term is alcohol use disorder (AUD). And it’s all still problem drinking, even if you think it’s “mild.” If AUD goes unrecognized and untreated, it’s linked to risks in many aspects of your health and life. Unfortunately, even when functional alcoholics begin to recognize that they have a drinking problem, they still resist reaching out for help.
Signs of Alcohol Use Disorder
American Addiction Centers (AAC) is committed to delivering original, truthful, accurate, unbiased, and medically current information. We strive to create content that is clear, concise, and easy to understand. The incredibly important first step is to recognize your need for help and move past denial. 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).
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If people with high functioning AUD do not get treatment, the disease may progress to a point at which their dependence significantly impacts their day-to-day lives. 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. Functional alcoholics differ from those who struggle with alcoholism, primarily in how alcohol affects their lives.
There can also be declines in their mental and overall health, especially if they’re not eating healthy diets or engaging in physical activity. In the short term, alcohol use increases the risk for alcohol poisoning, fetal alcohol syndrome, accidents, injuries, violence, and risky sexual behavior. Sarah Allen Benton, M.S., LMHC., LPC, is a licensed mental health counselor and author of Understanding the High-Functioning Alcoholic.
Alcohol becomes a daily necessity, almost a part of who they are. They might also isolate themselves from other people to spend time drinking alone. Although they can live a perfectly normal life, they can still benefit from professional help. Without help, their AUD can worsen and cause long-term health and social problems.