There is a difference between someone who suffers from high-functioning alcoholism and someone who simply enjoys drinking alcohol. High-functioning alcoholics crave alcohol, develop tolerance to it over time, and experience withdrawal symptoms when they stop drinking. High-functioning https://www.glamourbox.co.za/site/2024/03/06/states-agree-to-7-4-billion-settlement-with-purdue/ alcoholics drink because they “need to drink,” not always because they want to drink. To find appropriate treatment options, it is advisable to consult with addiction specialists, therapists, or healthcare professionals. They can assess the situation, provide recommendations, and help navigate the available resources.
What Happens When an Alcoholic Starts Drinking Again?
Alcohol can impair cognitive function, leading to altered judgment and increased impulsivity, which can contribute to mood swings and complicate their relationships and professional life. They often appear “put together” on the outside but struggle internally with alcohol dependence. Moreover, the illusion of control can make it more difficult for friends, family members and colleagues to recognize a problem. Millions of Americans can drink socially without encountering too many negative consequences, other than the occasional hangover and acting like a fool on the rare occasions high functioning alcoholic they imbibe too much. Some, however, consider drinking so much a part of their life that they automatically think of ordering a drink when in a social situation or unwinding after a day at work or school. While they haven’t crossed the line into full-scale alcohol addiction, they may be well on their way.
Q2: Can High Functioning Alcoholics Recover?
Be patient and understanding, and try to avoid being confrontational or critical. High-functioning alcoholism is defined by the alcohol’s ability to work or function normally. These people appear successful and healthy despite a possible underlying alcohol use disorder. Alcohol interferes with the brain’s communication pathways and can affect the way the brain looks and works, impacting mood, behavior, clear thinking, and coordination. Alcohol misuse is linked to peripheral neuropathy, which can cause numbness in the arms and legs and painful burning in the feet. It can also lead to heart arrhythmias, postural hypotension, diarrhea, and erectile dysfunction.
- Various resources are available to assist those affected, including professional therapy, support groups, and outpatient programs.
- We have a long history of providing successful substance abuse treatment at our Palmer Lake, Colorado facilities.
- Medical professionals now use alcohol use disorder (AUD) as an umbrella term to describe all alcohol-related issues, including high-functioning alcoholism.
- Alcoholism can also leave a devasting impact on a person’s professional and personal life and relationships.
Hidden Consequences and Long-Term Risks
Let’s explore why interventions matter and the benefits of early intervention. Alcoholism can have devastating effects on a person’s physical health, emotional well-being, personal relationships, and professional life. While high-functioning alcoholics may be able to maintain a successful life and carry out daily tasks, they are still at risk of suffering severe psychological and emotional damage. 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.
People working in demanding fields like law, finance, healthcare, or high-level corporate positions show greater vulnerability. Long hours, performance pressures, and social culture around corporate events or business dinners lead to regular and sometimes heavy drinking patterns. High-functioning alcoholics develop elaborate rationalization systems that justify their drinking patterns. You might view alcohol consumption as a reward for achievements Sobriety or a necessary tool for managing stress. This perceived control creates a dangerous feedback loop where success becomes both protection and prison, delaying necessary treatment intervention.
Treatment Can Be Life Changing
- Ocean Hills Recovery provides aftercare planning, support groups, and individualized strategies to help clients maintain sobriety.
- Your mental health service provider can help you reach out to trained counselors and therapists experienced in treating AUD.
This approach prevents the high-functioning alcoholic from dismissing concerns as isolated opinions. Each participant shares specific examples of how the person’s drinking has affected them, creating a comprehensive picture of the addiction’s impact. Sleep patterns become disrupted, even though alcohol’s initial sedative effects create chronic fatigue and affecting your body’s ability to repair itself. Gastrointestinal problems, including ulcers, acid reflux, and digestive issues, develop as alcohol irritates the stomach lining and interferes with nutrient absorption.
