Signs and Symptoms of High-Functioning Alcoholism

A common misconception about drinking is that it’s easy to spot someone with an alcohol addiction. The reality is that many alcoholics can function effectively and lead relatively normal lives. However, it’s important to realize that just because someone is has high-functioning alcoholism, doesn’t mean that they aren’t in jeopardy of hurting themselves or others. In fact, regardless of how well an addict functions in day-to-day life, they are always risking negative long-term physical and mental effects due to their excessive drinking behaviors.

A person with high-functioning alcoholism is just as in need of professional help and treatment as others who might be showing more obvious signs of addiction (i.e. missing family and work obligations, regularly appearing drunk in public, etc). Some are just better at managing their addiction and hiding the issue – but it doesn’t make the addiction any less severe.

Friends and family of high-functioning alcoholics should still try to help these individuals realize the severity of their addiction and encourage them to seek treatment before it’s too late. 

What is High-Functioning Alcoholism?

A functioning alcoholic is someone who shows classic alcoholic behavior, just without the adverse repercussions across professional or personal areas of life that are typically associated with alcoholism. For the most part, high-functioning alcoholics can successfully carry out daily tasks with no adverse effects from drinking. For example, while they may still blackout or drink daily they don’t seem to have outward health issues, and can continue to hold down a job and maintain relationships. This looks very different from the stereotypical portrayal of alcoholics as unemployed, slovenly and lonely, with strained relationships with friends and family.

Why High-Functioning Alcoholism is Dangerous

Using the description “high-functioning alcoholic” can sometimes be harmful because it lessens the seriousness of frequent and excessive alcohol use. If an individual drinks dangerously but continues to maintain work and home life responsibilities, they don’t fit the “typical” alcoholic mold, and their behaviors and potential hazards might be overlooked. Often, the drinking will continue unchecked, and will spiral over time.

Because there are no clear indicators that alcohol use is negatively impacting life in high-functioning alcoholics, it can be challenging to identify someone with functioning alcoholism – read on for signs.

Signs and Symptoms of High-Functioning Alcoholism

If you look hard enough, you can see warning behavior in any high-functioning alcoholic. This may include:

1. Worrisome shifts in behavior – High-functioning alcoholics usually have behavior that changes significantly with drinking. For example, someone who is typically calm becomes aggressive, irritable or mean after consuming alcohol, or someone who is outgoing shuts down. They might become unrecognizable to friends and family when under the influence.
   
2. Inability to stop drinking – High-functioning alcoholics typically can’t have “just one drink,” however hard they try. They tend to use social events like parties or weddings as an excuse to drink heavily, and get anxious about last call at the bar or the idea of alcohol running out. Often, they’ve tried to quit drinking before but can never drop the bottle for long.
   
3. Frequent blackouts – They often can’t remember what happened the night before, and participate in activities while drunk that they can’t recall the next day (i.e. having sex, doing drugs, spending time with strangers). While they may not seem intoxicated at the time, they usually experience blackouts while drinking.
   
4. Hiding alcohol use – A hidden, secretive lifestyle is a huge red flag. Addicts frequently sneak drinks, drink alone, or have one at the bar by themselves before anyone else arrives. Because of the concealment involved, they often feel shame or “moral hangovers” after sloppy behavior due to drinking.
   
5. Keeping social circles separate – A high-functioning alcoholic often compartmentalizes different areas of life to keep drinking separate and hidden. The person they appear to be at work, home and with loved ones might be totally different from who they are when they drink.
   
6. Replacing eating with drinking – Losing interest in food and meals, using mealtimes as an excuse to imbibe, or replacing meals with a few drinks.
   
7. Explaining away their drinking – There’s always a reason for the drinking, such as job stress (“work hard, play hard”), home stress (“the kids are driving me bonkers”) or a packed and busy social calendar. Some high-functioning alcoholics might use denial or aggression when questioned about their drinking, but others will try to rationalize their drinking.

Other common signs may include:

• Drinking to excess, often daily
• Blacking out
• Concealing how much alcohol is consumed
• Denying an alcohol issue
• Defensive about drinking habits
• Increasingly high tolerance for alcohol
• Drinking in dangerous or appropriate situations

Effects of High-Functioning Alcoholism

Drinking too much always catches up with someone eventually – even a high-functioning alcoholic. The impact of alcohol addiction is very real, with mental and physical effects, and possibly long-term ailments. Besides these health complications, everyday responsibilities, friend and family relationships and career advancement also usually suffers. 

Mental and Physical Effects

The usual mental and physical effects of alcoholism still apply to high-functioning alcoholics. Excessive drinking can lead to depression, anxiety, high blood pressure, nausea or vomiting. Over time, severe liver damage may develop, including fatty liver, alcoholic hepatitis, fibrosis and cirrhosis. Weakened immune systems, brain pathway disruption and increased risk of stroke are other possible long-term symptoms.

Professional Effects

Even though a high-functioning alcoholic can usually hold down a steady job, over time, they may jeopardize employment by showing up late to meetings, becoming increasingly unreliable, displaying troubling or erratic behavior at the office, or not completing tasks by deadlines.

Relational Effects

Lying and hiding erode trust. Over time, a functioning alcoholic will become increasingly isolated from loved ones, secretive and lonely. They often blatantly lie about drinking habits and refuse to recognize any potential issues. These behaviors cause relationship issues that continue to build over time, often leading to an impasse.

What You Can Do To Help a High-Functioning Alcoholic

The first step in helping someone who you believe is a high-functioning alcoholic is to address their drinking habits. Confront your loved one and open up the discussion – try to come from a place of compassion and concern rather than inducing shame or casting judgment. Often, a professional interventionist will be helpful. 

Make it clear you want only the best for them, and ensure that you’ll be there to support them throughout their recovery if they accept help. Support groups, including Alcoholics Anonymous (AA), can also be helpful to recommend to someone with functioning alcoholism to remind them that they aren’t alone in their addiction. 

Finding Treatment High-Functioning Alcoholism

Depending on the severity of addiction, different inpatient and outpatient rehab options may be suitable. Each individual is different and has unique treatment needs. Typically, detox is always the first step with alcohol addicts to ensure a safe withdrawal from drinking. 

Find Alcohol Rehab in Georgia Today!

At North Atlanta Behavioral Health, we treat high-functioning alcoholics at our alcohol rehab in Georgia. We believe that lasting recovery from alcohol addiction, substance use and mental health disorders is possible. Recovery should be the norm – not the exception. Our experienced team develops individualized treatment plans to set up our patients for lasting sobriety and success.

We can also assist in providing resources and options, including Georgia detox recommendations and/or interventionists with years of experience assisting families and individuals. If you or a loved one needs help, call us at 770-230-5699 today.