The longer you live with AUD, the higher 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). Sadly, according to the National Epidemiological Survey on Alcohol and Related Conditions, only 25 percent of alcoholics ever receive treatment—indicating a serious problem of denial on a societal level. Many are not viewed by society as being alcoholic, because they have functioned, succeeded and/or over-achieved throughout their lifetimes.

Starting Recovery from High-Functioning Alcohol Addiction

Alcoholics can go on to develop heart, respiratory and gastrointestinal disorders. There can also be declines in their mental and overall health, especially if they’re not eating healthy diets or engaging in physical activity. 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. Both residential and outpatient day treatment programs are available for those in recovery.

• Binge drinking is defined as having four or more beverages in one drinking episode for women and five or more beverages for men (a typical drinking episode is around two hours).
• Early intervention and treatment can help reduce the severity of the disease and prevent further physical or mental complications from developing.
• Below are some signs that you or someone you love may be living with alcohol use disorder.
• Recovery isn’t just about abstaining from substances—it’s about creating a life that you love.

Drinking Heavily and Excessively

Alcoholism can take a devastating toll on a person’s physical health, emotional well-being, personal relationships and professional life. However, many alcoholics manage to function effectively, holding down jobs and maintaining households. 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.. You may need to undergo medically supervised detox, depending on the severity of your alcohol use. During this time, a team of medical professionals will supervise you throughout the process and help ease your withdrawal symptoms.

Does Tolerance Contribute to Alcoholism?

Family members may feel on edge and worried about their loved ones drinking. They may take steps to avoid the person while they are drinking, or they may experience feelings of guilt, shame, or self-blame. Chronic heavy drinkers can display a functional tolerance to the point they show few obvious signs of intoxication even at high blood alcohol concentrations, which in others would be incapacitating. Lost friends, lost customers, lost thousands and thousands of dollars because of booze and work conditions deteriorating. This subreddit is a place to motivate each other to control or stop drinking. We welcome anyone who wishes to join in by asking for support, sharing our experiences and stories, or just encouraging someone who is trying to quit.

“Always approach a loved one from a place of support and desire to help them, instead of leading with judgment or anger,” says Omar Elhaj, MD, a senior medical director at LifeStance Health. “In some families, drinking too much is seen as comical, not a big deal, or a must during celebrations,” high functioning alcoholic she adds. Consequently, many people may not realize their drinking has become a genuine problem. “For starters, the media, our workplaces, and many social circles normalize drinking to excess,” says Ruby Mehta, a clinical social worker and director of clinical operations at Tempest.

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Characteristics of High-Functioning Alcoholics

• However, only a medical professional can diagnose someone with an AUD and determine the severity of their AUD.
• This is because people can be skillful at hiding the signs of an issue with alcohol.
• After you’ve completed treatment, you may choose to stay in a sober living home (also known as a therapeutic community) before transitioning to life back home.
• A functional alcoholic often consumes as much alcohol as someone with an alcohol use disorder.
• Organizations such as the American Society of Addiction Medicine can guide you to help, too.