What Is a High-Functioning Alcoholic? by Rehab Recovery Centers

The way that an alcoholic appears isn’t always reflective of what’s happening on the inside. Some individuals can suffer intensely from alcoholism, all while appearing normal and going about their day without much outward cause for concern.

A person like this is considered a high-functioning alcoholic. We’re going to take a look at high-functioning alcoholism today, giving you some insight into what it is, how to recognize it, and when to take action.

Let’s get started.

What Makes a High-Functioning Alcoholic?

There are a variety of ways that high-functioning alcoholics can handle their situation. In all cases, they’re seemingly in control of themselves when they’re drinking.

They might appear to be totally sober after drinking a good deal of alcohol. Their blood alcohol level might be through the roof as they keep a relatively level head throughout the day and night, all while consuming alcohol.

In some cases, these individuals might go about normal situations and days with their loved ones, only to find that they remember nothing when they wake up. This is a manifestation of alcoholism that can come about for a number of reasons.

Why Some People Can Function While Intoxicated

The reasons that a person can manage to sustain this lifestyle for a period of time are varied. In most cases, the ability to “perform” normally while intoxicated comes as a result of that person’s genetic makeup.

As things progress, alcoholics will develop a certain tolerance and require more alcohol to experience the same effect. The combination of tolerance and genetics often leads high-functioning alcoholics to be able to remain inconspicuous while others might appear blatantly drunk.

Other factors might be your height, weight, and body fat percentage.

Signs of High-Functioning Alcoholism

Those who defer their life’s responsibilities in order to consume alcohol are likely suffering from alcoholism. When life without alcohol begins to feel too difficult to manage, individuals begin to drink progressively more throughout the day.

Financial responsibilities might be skirted in favor of buying alcohol, and this can lead to the collapse of many meaningful aspects of an individual’s life. In this way, alcohol soaks up the person’s ability to maintain their home, vehicle, diet, and whatever else is impacted by a person’s finances.

Consequently, that individual might have a difficult time maintaining their job and performing well when they’re working. This can lead to the further collapse of the person’s financial, emotional, and personal well-being.

Interpersonal well-being is another factor that’s greatly impacted by alcoholism. It’s far more difficult to make and manage relationships with loved ones when alcohol is ever-present in one’s life.

When we look at high-functioning alcoholics vs normal alcoholics, though, we might find it a little more difficult to notice these things. It’s important to remember that alcoholism is insidious, and will gradually erode the factors above in one way or another.

If a person is able to manage to remain intoxicated and still take care of all of the responsibilities above, they’re likely a high-functioning alcoholic. The appearance of normality while a person is actually intoxicated is an indication that they’re an alcoholic, only high-functioning.

Is High-Functioning Any Better?

It might be a point of pride for a lot of people that they’re able to manage their alcoholism. In some situations, it may even appear that the individual isn’t an alcoholic and that justifies them to continue living the way they do.

It’s important to remember that alcoholism doesn’t go away when it has a different face, though. Just because a person isn’t belligerent or outwardly different, doesn’t mean that they’re not suffering and dependent.

There is a host of potential psychological reasons that a person might turn to drink that is still present in high-functioning alcoholics. Additionally, as a person’s body goes through the beating of alcoholism, their ability to maintain a cool appearance may go away.

Beyond that, appearances don’t change the fact that intoxication strongly impacts an individual’s state of mind. For example, a high-functioning alcoholic’s ability to drive while intoxicated isn’t any better than someone who appears as intoxicated as they really are.

The confidence instilled by the appearance of sobriety is actually very dangerous in this regard. It makes people feel as though they’re “good to drive,” and others aren’t questioning them because they might seem that way.

Signs That You or a Friend are Suffering

It’s important to note that the development of tolerance or the ability to drink and appear sober aren’t always signs that you’re an alcoholic. Alcoholism requires dependency and extreme difficulty when trying to stop.

If you find that you drink to excess every time you’re out, or that you’ve slowly inched toward drinking more and more throughout the day, those are indications that an issue could be creeping up.

You might also find that you experience symptoms of withdrawal when you’re not able to drink. These are irritability, anxiety, depression, sweats, tremors, increased heart rate, a state of confusion, and potentially more.

Alcoholism also might make you avoid the activities that you used to love in favor of going to the bar or staying at home to drink. You may also find that you have actual cravings for alcohol when it’s not around, when before you just had the inclination to drink at times.

Further, alcoholism might make you risk your life or the lives of others in order to drink. For example, drinking while driving is a clear indication of this.

Finally, if you know that you would be much better off not drinking and continue to do so despite your best interest, you might be having an issue that requires attention.

Think There Might Be an Issue?

Noticing the signs of a high-functioning alcoholic is the first step to getting them help. Whether you or someone you love is displaying these signs, it’s important to start with a conversation and see what your options for recovery are.

We’re here to help. Contact us to learn more about how you can get help and what can be done to effectively treat alcoholism.

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