So it may look like you only had a few drinks, but in reality, you’d already had twice as much before arriving. This sneaky drinking avoids conversations about excessive alcohol use with friends and family members. When many of the classic signs of alcohol use disorder aren’t present, a high-functioning alcoholic may not get the help they desperately need. Learning the signs of high-functioning alcoholism can ensure you or your loved one find the professional help you need to get and stay sober. Despite saying they’re going to have “just one drink,” high-functioning alcoholics are unable to limit their alcohol consumption. They tend to drink heavily while at a party or bar, and when it comes time for last call, they quickly down their drink then run to the bar to order another.
Comprehensive Treatment Strategies for High-Functioning Alcoholism
It can also cause cirrhosis of the liver, kidney failure, stomach ulcers and heart disease, to name a few. 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. And any alcohol abuse raises the odds of domestic violence, child abuse and neglect, and fetal alcohol syndrome.
Denial of an Alcohol Use Disorder
The implementation of brief intervention sessions by occupational health professionals has shown promise in reducing alcohol-related issues at work. For people living with a functioning alcoholic, Al-Anon Family Groups provide support for those affected by someone’s drinking. These types of groups create safe spaces for loved ones to discuss their problems with alcohol in non-judgemental environment. It can be a great place to start if you’re finding opening up the discussion too difficult at home.
What are the complications of AUD?
Under the surface, this form of alcoholism can cause severe psychological and emotional damage to the alcoholic and also their loved ones.. High-functioning alcoholism, a subset of alcohol use disorders (AUD), presents unique challenges in identification due to the individual’s ability to maintain outward appearances of normalcy. However, professionals recognize several criteria indicative of this condition. A hallmark sign is the development of a functional high functioning alcoholic tolerance to alcohol, where individuals exhibit few signs of intoxication despite high blood alcohol concentrations, which would typically be incapacitating. This tolerance often leads to dangerous levels of consumption with significant health risks. For those who aren’t familiar with this disorder first-hand, when they hear the term “alcoholic,” they might picture someone unable to hold a job or maintain healthy relationships because of their drinking.
What Are the Signs?
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- A doctor may also diagnose AUD by asking about your health history and drinking patterns.
- Despite these patterns, they often maintain a semblance of normalcy in their job performance and social activities.
- With these interventions, people can find health and happiness in sobriety.
- There are comprehensive treatment programs available that can help you address the underlying causes of your addiction and develop healthy coping mechanisms.
- This can help you learn new coping skills so you can turn to other behaviors instead of drinking in order to live a healthier life.
- They tend to lose all interest in food, and instead, use mealtime as an excuse to start drinking again.