For any of these conditions, it is important to talk to a counselor, interventionist, or therapist about your worries and to practice consistently healthy habits when you can create a baseline for your health. Aftercare and alcohol relapse prevention can help increase the opportunity for continued sobriety and abstinence. The criteria for alcohol use disorder, according to DSM-5, consists of the following 11 questions.

• Is there a difference between a functioning alcoholic and someone who suffers from alcohol use disorder?
• You can receive treatment in an individual, family, group, or couples setting.
• People with alcohol use disorder are dependent on alcohol, but that does not mean that they drink every day.
• Please note that functional alcoholics are hardworking, educated individuals who are successful at work and home.

How to Cope When a Loved One Has Alcohol Use Disorder

In fact, many individuals experience medical detox at an outpatient level, while individuals with more serious addictions may opt for an inpatient medical detox situation. While there is no known cause of any type of alcohol use disorder, including high-functioning alcoholism, some mitigating factors can play a role in developing an alcohol-related issue. According to the National Institutes of Health (NIH), the typical high-functioning alcoholic high functioning alcoholic is a middle-aged, well-educated person with a stable job and a family. “High-functioning alcoholic” is a term used to describe someone suffering from alcohol dependency or addiction but still able to function relatively normally. By Sarah Bence, OTR/LBence is an occupational therapist with a range of work experience in mental healthcare settings. Drinking alone or being secretive about drinking can be another sign of alcohol use disorder.

High Functioning Alcoholics

• In addition, these loved ones will report that while the HFA may provide for the family financially, that they are not able to be supportive emotionally.
• Alcoholism is a chronic, progressive, and lifelong disease that needs to be treated, whether the alcoholic is a lawyer or a homeless person.
• Alcohol abuse increases the risk of physical and emotional violence, as well as substance abuse in other family members.
• Generally, functioning alcoholics are convinced that they have everything under control and are often able to convince others of the same.

After all, they have managed to maintain the appearance of success despite their addiction. 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 negative consequences of destructive drinking.

When is someone considered high functioning?

• Loved ones and friends of HFAs can also seek support for themselves in order to learn how best to navigate their relationship with the alcoholic in their life, to detach emotionally and to heal.
• Key warning signs that people are alcoholics include always ordering alcohol when they go out or struggling to control how much they drink.
• With our help, patients don’t only appear to function normally, but feel and experience life to its greatest potential as a sober and recovering individual.
• A “functional alcoholic” (or “high-functioning alcoholic”) isn’t a formal medical diagnosis, but a term used colloquially to describe a person who is dependent upon alcohol but can still function in society.
• Your conversation should happen when the person you are trying to help is sober.

Alcoholics, they may be, but their ability to function and manage life and relationships regardless of their condition makes them high-functioning alcoholics. People should note that the term “high functioning alcoholic” is no longer in use within the medical community. This is due to the potentially stigmatizing language around the word “alcoholic”, which may also prevent someone from seeking help and support. They may put themselves and others at risk by secretly driving under the influence with children in the car. Even though they think they’re being good parents, high-functioning alcoholics can’t be fully committed to their children’s well-being when alcohol is also a major part of their life. On the outside, high-functioning alcoholics may appear to be great parents.

If you’re suffering from the effects of codependency, it may be time to take a break or distance yourself from the relationship. Treatment programs at The Recovery Village include a full spectrum of alcohol recovery services, from alcohol detox to rehab, aftercare and sober housing. When you’re ready to seek help, or if you have questions about how to live with an alcoholic, we’re here for you.

• An intervention is a planned meeting where you, the concerned person along with others, talk to the alcoholic.
• For the functional alcoholic, the denial runs deep, because they have yet to encounter significant negative consequences.
• The book Co-Dependent No More by Melody Beattie is a resource for the loved ones of alcoholics that is highly recommended by many therapists.
• It is also possible to detox as part of an outpatient program, which features varying levels of support and treatment.
• While there is no known cause of any type of alcohol use disorder, including high-functioning alcoholism, some mitigating factors can play a role in developing an alcohol-related issue.

Ask about their support needs

An individual who is suffering from addiction is more likely to socialize with others who drink and attend social events where drinking is encouraged (i.e., at bars, clubs, or cocktail parties). When drinking socially or with colleagues, one drink often leads to several. This happens every time or frequently enough that drinking seems to become out of control and raises questions. Enter your phone number below to receive a free and confidential call from a treatment provider. Making sure you‘re healthy and safe can make you a better support system for your loved one with AUD, however you chose to be there for them. You could steer them to the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA) for general education on alcohol misuse or the NIAAA Alcohol Treatment Navigator tool to find local treatment options.

Treatment for High Functioning Alcoholism

What are the risk factors for high-functioning AUD?