The 4 Stages of Alcoholism for the Functioning Alcoholic

And remember too, I drove drunk nearly 15 years, almost every single day of my life, before I got a DUI. Fewer than 9% of the members of this group seek help for recovery; when they do, they tend to prefer 12 Step programs over rehab clinics or private, professional practices. Medical detox means that you will go through the withdrawal process under medical supervision, but it doesn’t necessarily require you to check in at a treatment facility. The NIH has also found that nearly half of all high-functioning alcoholics are smokers.

High Functioning vs Non-High Functioning Alcoholics

• A functioning alcoholic may feel anxious if something interrupts their usual drinking routine.
• It focused on 1,484 NESARC respondents who met all diagnostic criteria for alcohol dependence and included people who were in treatment for their AUD as well as people who were not.
• Some high-functioning alcoholics will even keep their alcoholism a secret or fail to recognize it themselves.
• These individuals may be staying away from alcohol, but they are not treating the underlying issues that had either led to their drinking in the first place or developed as their alcoholism progressed.
• Therefore, they are living with the risks and effects of alcoholism.
• The answer to this question might surprise one, but it is no, such people cannot, at least not all on their own.

You can add a little flavor with a squeeze of lemon or lime, and use an unsweetened flavored sparkling water in place of plain club soda. A traditional vodka soda may only contain about 4 ounces of bubbly water, but increase this amount to create a more hydrating drink. An average margarita can have over 30 grams of sugar, making it far from healthy. While there are many different margarita recipes out there, and some may have less sugar, others may have even more.

The 6 ‘Healthiest’ Types of Alcohol to Drink, According to Dietitians

Someone with alcohol use disorder may struggle to cut back on drinking or quit, either when trying to do so themselves or when asked by others to try. Below are some signs that you or someone you love may be living with alcohol use disorder. These signs don’t always affect a person’s ability to carry out their day-to-day responsibilities.

What is a Functioning Alcoholic? Signs of High-Functioning Alcoholism

I don’t want you to feel bad if you are playing some of these mind games with yourself. And I don’t want you to be confused about high-functioning and high bottom. My true rock bottom was happening for a couple of years as my drinking high functioning alcoholic increased and my self-esteem continued to plummet. But I couldn’t take it seriously until I was in a desperate situation. But it was the very moment that my denial and fear and inability to take action collided with reality.

Functioning Alcoholics in the Workplace

Support groups like Alcoholics Anonymous provide community and accountability. Medications can also assist in managing cravings and withdrawal symptoms. They may have stopped drinking, but their life may be exactly the same, leading them to be jealous of others who are drinking or to struggle with emotional or mental health issues. Unfortunately, high-functioning alcoholism, as a secret or undiagnosed disorder, can be more dangerous than obvious, debilitating alcoholism.

How to help a person with AUD?

• According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), 95,000 people lose their lives every year due to excessive alcohol use.
• Oftentimes, when people think about alcoholics you envision these lives and situations that are a real mess.
• They may not have been alcoholic in the first place, but instead are heavy or problem drinkers (see my past post on differences between social drinkers, problem drinkers, and alcoholics for more information).
• You’ve seen this alcoholic beverage type explode in popularity over the last several years.

I had a beautiful place to live, a $60k car in the garage, I always looked great and showed up for work and made a lot of money. I had a full life and social life, I dressed great, people loved having me around, and there were plenty of people who had no idea how much I drank. I never lost a home or a relationship, I was never homeless, and I blacking out isn’t a huge part of my story.

• For more information on the stages of alcoholism for functioning alcoholics, contact us today.
• While everyone may experience this progression differently, there are four common stages people go through when becoming a functional alcoholic.
• There is a huge difference between being high-functioning, and having a high bottom.
• This is because people can be skillful at hiding the signs of an issue with alcohol.
• Medications can also assist in managing cravings and withdrawal symptoms.

Participants were taught techniques to identify, challenge, and change “unhelpful” cognitions, and they participated in Sitting Mindfulness of Thoughts practice. The first two sessions also involved home practice outside of school. The techniques were applied first to general stress and negative emotions.

A Choice for Meaningful Treatment with Dignity

Some people who have alcohol use disorder are what are known as high-functioning alcoholics. While they have an AUD, they can usually go about their lives without their alcohol consumption having a noticeable negative impact. Despite appearing to have it all together, high-functioning alcoholics face significant challenges.

They manage to go about their lives, fulfilling work or school obligations, often without anyone realizing the extent of their drinking problem. When we think of the word functioning we may think of someone who probably has their life under control. But when we put functioning and alcoholic together, something different might come to mind. Is there a difference between a functioning alcoholic and someone who suffers from alcohol use disorder?