When we imagine an alcoholic, we picture someone who sits at home on their own drinking all day. We assume they’ve lost friends and family, can’t hold down a job, are in poor health and that generally, their whole life has fallen apart.
Not only is this a stereotype, it’s a dangerous stereotype. We assume that alcohol abuse isn’t a problem until someone has hit rock bottom and its why alcoholism signs are often ignored for so long.
It’s estimated that one in five people who have a drinking problem are known as high-functioning alcoholics. This means that they’re maintaining a successful career, can hold down relationships, they appear to be perfectly healthy and believe it or not, they may not even drink every day.
The biggest danger of high-functioning alcoholics is that they are very good at hiding their drinking habits and thanks to the seemingly minimal consequences of their drinking, they and others are unlikely to see it as a problem.
Functional alcoholic symptoms
It’s very difficult to spot the signs of a functional alcoholic. Over time however, alcohol will have a negative effect on the brain and the person’s ability to function normally.
Signs that you or a loved one could be a high-functioning alcoholic include:
- Women who have more than two drinks a day or 10 a week and men who have more than three drinks per day or 15 in a week, are classed as ‘at-risk’ drinkers.
- You notice behaviors changing once alcohol has been consumed – for example, a person who is normally calm may become anxious or angry when they’ve had too much to drink.
- If someone regularly drinks more than they intended to or can’t stop drinking once they start, this could be a sign of a problem. Even a high-functioning alcoholic will struggle to have just the one drink and may even insist on finishing other people’s leftover drinks so they don’t go to waste.
- Relying on alcohol to relieve stress or relax.
- Suffering from memory lapses or blackouts when drinking.
- Drinking alone or in secret.
- Experiencing irritability, restlessness, agitation and mood swings when not drinking.
- Making jokes about alcohol consumption or alcoholism.
- Trying to justify drinking or how much they drink. They may often use excuses such as they’re stressed about work or the kids are driving them crazy. Regardless of what’s going on in this person’s life, they will always have a reason to drink.
Why being a functional alcoholic is so dangerous
Even when someone appears to have their life in order, there are many dangers associated with being a high-functioning alcoholic including:
- An alcoholic parent is less emotionally accessible and this is something that will become more apparent as children get older and their emotional needs become more complex.
- The psychological effect of living with a functioning alcoholic on children can be profound and can even carry on well into adulthood.
- If someone can hold down their job, fulfill family commitments and even get through a whole day without drinking, they are going to be in deep denial about the fact that they could have a problem.
- Despite still being able to function, at the end of the day, this person is an alcoholic and they have an addiction.
- When we’re under the influence of alcohol it affects our bodies and minds greatly. This can be incredibly dangerous if driving a car or operating machinery.
- It’s not uncommon for a high-functioning alcoholic to replace meals with a few drinks. They tend to lose interest in food and instead, use mealtimes as an excuse to start drinking again. Aside from the obvious dangers of excessive alcohol consumption, this can lead to you becoming malnourished.
- Because concealment is a huge part of addiction, high-functioning alcoholics will often experience shame or remorse about their behavior. Naturally, this can lead to feelings of stress, anxiety, loneliness and depression.
If you think that you or someone you know may be a high-functioning alcoholic or are displaying alcoholism signs, please feel free to contact Toronto Trauma & Addiction Counselling in the strictest of confidence and we will be more than happy to help.
