Helping a High-Functioning Alcoholic in Denial

Since alcoholism is a progressive disease and can worsen over time without treatment, early intervention is essential. Being able to recognize the warning signs of a functional alcohol use disorder can help you take the next steps toward treatment, or you might be able to help someone you love. The term “functional alcoholic” is heavily debated in the addiction community, but it’s part of the social vernacular so it’s valuable to discuss the common misconceptions. Just because someone with an alcohol use disorder (the medical term for an alcoholic) is functioning doesn’t mean they’re functioning well or functioning in each aspect of their lives. Keep that idea in mind while you approach the topic of alcohol abuse and addiction. Left unmanaged, compulsive drinking behaviors can get progressively worse, with their negative impact on your life becoming ever more apparent.

I sat down with Dan Lynch, a board registered interventionist, to learn more. Instead, she recommends seeking more formal support with Al-Anon or therapy to help you create boundaries and care for yourself. Anger and frustration can be tough emotions when supporting someone with AUD.

Their Behavior Changes Significantly While Drinking

Broadly, the term alcohol use disorder can describe a spectrum of medical conditions characterized primarily by not being able to stop or control drinking. When you lose control over drinking patterns, it can create negative consequences in different areas of your life. Alcohol addiction is one of the most severe levels of an alcohol use disorder, but these disorders can also be mild or moderate. Alcoholism affects everyone in a household— not just the individual who drinks. Alcohol abuse increases the risk of physical and emotional violence, as well as substance abuse in other family members.

High-functioning alcoholics may begin to show up for work with a headache, digestive issues, other illness, unusual grumpiness, or appear “worse-for-wear,” especially on Monday mornings. To cope with your stress, you may want to attend a support group for family and friends of people with alcohol use disorder (such as Al-Anon) or consider therapy. Alcoholism is a chronic, progressive, and lifelong disease that needs to be treated, whether the alcoholic is a lawyer or a homeless person.

“Mental health care is critical for achieving long-term success in overcoming AUD,” says Elhaj. “In some families, drinking too much is seen as comical, not a big deal, or a must during celebrations,” she adds. Consequently, many people may not realize their drinking has become a genuine problem. “For example, you may notice your spouse drinking more beers at dinner, sleeping less and less, and increasingly on edge well before they start missing workdays,” Grawert adds.

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.

How Does an Alcoholic or Other Substance Abuse Affect the Household?

Spithoff, Sheryl, MD CCFP, et al. “Primary care management of alcohol use disorder and at-risk drinking.” NIH National Library of Medicine, June 2015. The development of tolerance can occur when someone regularly uses alcohol. Tolerance is one of the signs used to diagnose an AUD, and it may be one of the earliest apparent symptoms. The term tolerance refers to a lowered effect of alcohol with repeated exposure. You might drink the same amount of alcohol as usual, but there’s less of an effect. A person with a tolerance may need to drink more to get whatever their desired effects are.

How to Treat High-Functioning Alcoholism

Usually, it is only when their continued drinking becomes more painful than the prospect of going through the pain of alcohol withdrawal, will they finally reach out for help. There is a cumulative impact that can lead to an increase in stress that builds up over time. So, when supporting your loved one, it can be beneficial to lead with love, compassion, and understanding.

High-Functioning Alcoholics

1. Outpatient programs offer more flexibility regarding the schedule but provide the support and recovery resources needed.
2. Detox under medical supervision is a safer and more effective option than attempting to detox without help.
3. Functional alcoholics differ from those who struggle with alcoholism, primarily in how alcohol affects their lives.
4. These achievements often lead to an increase in personal denial as well as denial from colleagues and loved ones.
5. Self-help organizations, church groups, and 12-step programs like Al-Anon and Alateen offer advice, hope and encouragement to people involved with functioning alcoholics.
6. The information we provide is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment.

An intervention is a planned meeting in which the concerned parties confront the alcoholic about their behavior. Nearly20% of alcoholics are highly functionaland well-educated with good incomes. Because these types of users appear stable and mostly unaffected by their drinking, the steps to effectively confront a functioning alcoholic and work with them on their behaviors can be even more difficult. The most in-depth care allows you to live full time at a treatment facility. These setups can also work along with 12-step programs such as Alcoholics Anonymous.

Our online health insurance verification system will estimate your in-network and out-of-network deductibles, coinsurance percentages and out-of-pocket maximums. Within 5 minutes, you’ll receive an email with these details – free of charge. Many alcoholics use denial or aggression as their chosen mode of avoidance, half life of soma but others have a seemingly rational explanation for their behavior. Many alcoholics take part in activities that they have no recollection of the next day – such as dancing on bars, going home with strangers, doing drugs, having sex, and more. At the time, they may not seem extremely intoxicated, but when asked about their behavior the next day, they’re unable to remember what happened.