The longer you live with AUD, the higher drug addiction treatment your risk of developing complications that can lead to death. According to 2020 data by the CDC, nearly 30,000 people died that year from alcoholic liver disease (cirrhosis). If people with high functioning AUD do not get treatment, the disease may progress to a point at which their dependence significantly impacts their day-to-day lives. It can lead to liver disease, pancreatitis, some forms of cancer, brain damage, serious memory loss, and high blood pressure. It also makes someone more likely to die in a car wreck or from murder or suicide.
Support Your Recovery
A high-functioning alcoholic may hide their alcohol abuse for years without suffering any major losses. Under the surface, this form of alcoholism can cause severe psychological and emotional damage to the alcoholic and also their loved ones.. A high-functioning alcoholic is someone who maintains the appearance of normalcy while secretly battling alcohol dependence. These individuals are often able to excel in their careers, maintain social connections, and fulfill their responsibilities, making it difficult for others to recognize the depth of their problems.
Challenges in Marriages and Partnerships with High-Functioning Alcoholics
- It should not be used in place of the advice of your physician or other qualified healthcare provider.
- One sign that someone may have alcohol use disorder is that they consume excessive amounts of alcohol.
- The more a person drinks, the more at risk they are of developing severe alcohol use disorder.
- Whether you have an alcoholic spouse, partner or other loved one, you may be wondering how to help.
- Alcohol addiction is one of the most severe levels of an alcohol use disorder, but these disorders can also be mild or moderate.
It does not necessarily “treat” AUD but can help people with AUD cope. Unfortunately, being in denial will only prevent you from getting early treatment for alcoholism. These numbers do not include people who have died in alcohol-related accidents or violence, so the overall number is likely much higher. 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. It can also ultimately lead to relationship difficulties as well as legal and financial problems.
- However, there are individuals that meet the criteria for AUD but do not experience these impacts.
- Because of the nature of this branch of anxiety, therapy is something to look into if, and when, your coping skills, daily habits or behaviors become either too extreme or harmful to your life.
- Someone can live with alcohol use disorder without anyone else noticing.
- Sometimes, only the people close to them will notice their problematic drinking patterns.
- In contrast, non-high-functioning alcoholics exhibit more noticeable signs of their addiction.
High-Functioning Alcoholism, Explained
The first step for most people is detox, which means quitting alcohol. A detox may take place at a hospital or inpatient facility, such as high functioning alcoholic rehab. The NIAAA offers a range of assessment tools and strategies to help people understand their drinking patterns, reduce their drinking, or quit completely. It is important to note that these signs may not be obvious to a loved one or friend.
In this article, we’ll explore the definition, signs, and complexities of high-functioning alcoholism. Let’s dive deeper into what it means to be a high-functioning alcoholic and how to recognize the =https://ecosoberhouse.com/ signs. For example, you might imagine an “alcoholic” as someone who is constantly near-blackout drunk, and someone who’s unable to maintain a job or family life. However, this and other related misnomers such as “functional alcoholic” are no longer used because of the potential stigma that can prevent someone from seeking help.
The consequences of alcohol use aren’t as severe in someone with functioning alcoholism, at least not at the moment. When people talk about alcoholism, they are actually referring to someone who has an alcohol use disorder. Alcoholism is not an official diagnosis, but it is a commonly used term. There are also subtypes of alcoholism, one of which is functional alcoholism. People can have a varied reaction and tolerance to alcohol and that doesn’t necessarily mean they are alcoholics.
