This is a guest post by chris scott about the perils of being a highfunctioning alcoholic. Jul 08, 2018 when you approach a high functioning alcoholic, make sure that he or she is sober first. Other addiction experts estimate that between 75 percentand 90 percentof alcoholics are highfunctioning. May 07, 2020 how to know if youre a high functioning alcoholic. The highfunctioning alcoholic will lose out on enjoying meals.
That number may be underestimated as other sources have indicated that as high as ninety percent of alcoholics are high functioning. Dec 14, 2017 addiction can sometimes seem to be a nebulous thing. But they may have a secret buried under the surface that theyre trying desperately to hide. Firstly, i am so sorry to read about some of your experiences so sincere apologies if it. A high functioning alcoholic is someone who habitually drinks an unhealthy amount of alcohol while maintaining some level of professional and personal success. The highfunctioning alcoholic hides their issues in plain sight, and loved ones are usually are not aware that problems exist because things appear normal. He can be wildly popular, make a lot of money and enjoy a wide circle of friends. The term high functioning alcoholic can be defined as a person who suffers from alcoholism but has yet to experience noticeable effects of alcohol. If you are a highfunctioning alcoholic, you may only drink certain kinds of alcohol or very expensive brands as a way of deluding yourself into believing you dont have a problem.
Answer the questions below to find out if you have signs of a problem. Highfunctioning addicts are masters of disguise whose struggles with drugs and alcohol may go unnoticed for years, often with increasingly severe consequences. Alcohol is the single greatest social ill in the united states. Jan 07, 2014 experts warn, however, that many people with addictions continue to perform at work. Sep 04, 2016 the highfunctioning alcoholic subtype in 2007, researchers at the national institute on alcohol abuse and alcoholism a division of the national institutes of health discovered that there are five distinct subtypes of alcoholism.
There are the clearcut cases, of coursethe users who sell everything they have to fund their use, the ones who are unable to leave the house without snorting a line, the ones who are overcome by nausea and pain when they go more than a few hours without shooting up. For alcoholics, withdrawal can look like anything from feeling depressed or anxious, increasing irritability, or feeling nauseous or tired for an extended period of time. She has a master of science degree from northeastern university and is a licensed mental health counselor at emmanuel college in boston. Also check out her blogs on psychology today and her interview and excerpt from the book on. Jeff herten was a highfunctioning alcoholic one who drinks every day, yet continues to lead a productive, successful life. The various ways highfunctioning alcoholics hit bottom. Friends and family of alcoholics entering a relationship with a high functioning alcoholic hi there, i tried to post a big rambling thread before but it didnt work so probably a sign to try to keep this more succinct. New bedford native sarah allen benton, 34, boasts an impressive resume in the field of mental health. A highfunctioning alcoholic might ask her husband to call in sick to work for her when shes struggling with a hangover, or borrow money from a friend to pay bills when shes spent too much on alcohol. For the quiz questions below, check the box next to the question if your answer is yes. Talking to a loved one when he or she is under the influence will be a useless exercise. Ask your doctor about getting help whether its from a therapist, psychiatrist, or other addiction specialist. Jul 08, 2017 the highfunctioning alcoholic will lose out on enjoying meals.
In reality, highfunctioning alcoholism is usually made possible through the enabling behavior of loved ones. The alcohol is interfering with their family, their friendships, their job, and their health. Indeed, a lot depends on whether your loved ones have cried uncle, says ann dowsett johnston, author of drink. The highfunctioning alcoholic in society many people who struggle with problem drinking, heavy drinking, or constant cravings for alcohol are considered functional alcoholics. I thought my productivity covered for the occasional overindulgence. That number may be underestimated as other sources have indicated that as high as ninety percent of alcoholics are highfunctioning.
If you experience these symptoms around the time of day that you usually start drinking, it is a sign that you are a highfunctioning alcoholic and need help. A functioning alcoholic is someone who abuses alcohol regularly but is still able to work, go to school, handle parenting or marital responsibilities, maintain their appearance and manage an assortment of daily tasks. Tweet this a functional alcoholic is likely middle aged and educated, with a successful career and married with a family instead of destitute, desolate and alone. They go to work or school, interact with their family and friends, manage a household and usually fulfill their responsibilities so how could they be an alcoholic. But its possible to treat the functioning addict before the facade crumbles, and addiction specialists say workplace health programs should take a more proactive approach. This is the case for people who are considered highfunctioning alcoholics.
Jan, 2015 a high functioning alcoholic doesnt fit within the stereotype of a drunk on a day to day basis. The results are confidential, so be honest about your drinking over the past year. It is a thorough and insightful discussion of an often misunderstood and mistreated clinical group that frequently does not respond wellto traditional psychotherapy, or psychopharmacology, or simply twelve step approaches. Understanding the highfunctioning alcoholic psychology today.
Psychology today reports on other studies that puts the number of high functioning alcoholics as low as 20 percent to as high as between 75 and 90 percent of all alcoholics. A functioning alcoholic is someone who manages to maintain a level of productivity, by keeping up with their responsibilities, work, and professional life, while still suffering from an addiction to alcohol. But the extremities of addiction arent its totality. Generally, there are issues under the surface that become more apparent over time. May 26, 2017 highfunctioning alcoholics often go undetected because they dont fit the stereotype of the skidrow alcoholic. The paperback was published in 2010 by rowman and littlefield publishers. Friends and family of alcoholics entering a relationship with a highfunctioning alcoholic hi there, i tried to post a big rambling thread before but it didnt work so probably a sign to try to keep this more succinct. Recognizing alcohol use disorder symptoms can help you identify whether you or someone you know is a functional alcoholic.
Of the alcoholic subtypes above, the niaaa classifies 32% as being a functional or highly functional alcoholic. Highfunctioning alcoholics often go undetected because they dont fit the stereotype of the skidrow alcoholic. This person probably doesnt have a job and spends much of their day drinking alcohol or asking for money to buy it. Understanding the highfunctioning alcoholic provides a thorough description as well as bentons experience of working a twelvestep program, but also addresses many important issues, including the role of spirituality and the controversy of controlled drinking, so often part of the discussion about the hfa, by providing information and. High functioning alcoholics have an addiction as real as those of the people who get in car accidents, show up to work drunk or lose their family and friends. A hfa can have a good job and a family that adores him. Often, the families of the high functioning alcoholic are in denial right. This book is an indepth exploration of a hidden class of alcoholics. How to know if youre a high functioning alcoholic wikihow.
Destructively, substance abuse experts report, the feeling of losing control or of losing their edge then pushes the highfunctioning alcoholic to drink more and selfmedicate in an effort. If one regularly engages in alcohol abuse, it is inevitable that various areas of life suffer. Now he shares his firsthand knowledge of how alcohol can destroy lives as it nearly destroyed his. Jeff herten was a high functioning alcoholic one who drinks every day, yet continues to lead a productive, successful life. Drinking without food causes alcohol to be absorbed twice as quickly through the stomach. A functioning alcoholic is essentially able to maintain the appearance of an orderly or managed life. The treatment for a highfunctioning alcoholic is the same as for any other type of addict, benton says.
Socalled highfunctioning addicts exist across all sectors, and workplaces arent intervening early enough, which puts those who have addictions at a higher risk of physical and psychological harm, experts argue. Sometimes, they may start cooking but drink while they do so. High functioning, but still alcoholics the new york times. A high functioning alcoholic hfa is a person who maintains jobs and relationships while exhibiting alcoholism. Understanding the highfunctioning alcoholic excerpt. Some of the behaviors and symptoms described in the quiz may not seem serious, but they can be warning signs that a. Why highfunctioning alcoholics need help psychology today. Twothirds of these alcoholics seek help for their drinking problems, making them the most prevalent type of alcoholic in treatment. Also check out the highlyrecommended book, understanding the high functioning alcoholic.
I had a dominant personality, a steady job, and a serious drinking problem. Coworkers, relatives and friends often enable the abusive behavior to continue by. Kevin wandler, chief medical officer, advanced recovery systems. In 2007, a report by the national institutes of health identified a different type of alcoholic thats in conflict with most stereotypes. Doctors hope that the new definition will help identify severe cases of alcoholism early, rather than when the. Get details on the functional subclass of alcohol use disorders, including misconceptions that lead to enabling or codependent relationships. The most famous highfunctioning alcoholics infographic. Some of the behaviors and symptoms described in the quiz may not seem serious, but they can be warning signs that a more severe problem is developing. Ways to approach the highfunctioning alcoholic in your. A highfunctioning alcoholic often does such a good job of hiding their issues that other people dont know the issues exist. Am i a highfunctioning alcoholic, and do i need treatment. Another term for someone such as alex is highfunctioning alcoholic.
The high functioning alcoholic in society many people who struggle with problem drinking, heavy drinking, or constant cravings for alcohol are considered functional alcoholics. Highfunctioning alcoholics are highly skilled at leading double lives, ms. A highfunctioning alcoholic is someone who meets enough criteria to have a substance use disorder and is still able to maintain their personal life, work life and health. What percentage of alcoholics are functioning or high functioning alcoholics. You may also come up with excuses for excessive drinking, such as stress at work or rewarding themselves after a productive week. Highfunctioning alcoholics hfas defy these stereotype and often go undetected because they do not fit the image of the typical alcoholic. Functioning alcoholic living with a functioning alcoholic. The intimate relationship between women and alcohol and a former highfunctioning alcoholic. Benton calls them, are in denial about their abuse of alcohol. This quiz is not intended to diagnose you for alcoholism. Professional views and personal insights, by sarah allen benton, a licensed mental health counselor. But in reality, alex is just as much an alcoholic as your stereotypical homeless bum using beggars money to buy a bottle of rum. Sarah bentons book understanding the highfunctioning alcoholic is a gift to both clinicians and clients alike. Organizations like the american society of addiction medicine can guide you to help, too.
Most people wont even be aware that the person is an alcoholic. Symptoms of a high functioning alcoholic sober julie. A high functioning alcoholic doesnt fit within the stereotype of a drunk on a day to day basis. And because theyre functioning and achieving, theyre not seen by. In reality, highfunctioning alcoholism is usually made. Entering a relationship with a highfunctioning alcoholic. He seems fine, even great, doing well at work and raising a wonderful family. In recovery from alcoholism for the last five years, she has written an enlightening new book about. If given a choice, theyre more interested in having a few drinks than eating. Functional alcoholics may not even realize theyre actively concealing symptoms of their disorder. Sarah allen benton is hardly your stereotypical alcoholic. The professional high functioning alcoholic is able to use their success in life to justify their excesses, and this means that they may end up suffering worse because of their addiction.
Mental health professional and recovering alcoholic sarah allen benton shares her struggles in this excerpt from understanding the. The difficult part to recognise about becoming a high functioning alcoholic, is that i thought i was a high achiever. Understanding this hidden class of alcoholics from a professional and personal view, by sarah allen benton, ms, lmhc. A highfunctioning alcoholic hfa is a person who maintains jobs and relationships while exhibiting alcoholism statistics from the harvard school of public health indicated that 31 percent of college students show signs of alcohol abuse and 6 percent are dependent on alcohol. They appear to the outside world to be managing life well and defy the alcoholic stereotype by being. Understanding the high functioning alcoholic provides a thorough description as well as bentons experience of working a twelvestep program, but also addresses many important issues, including the role of spirituality and the controversy of controlled drinking, so often part of the discussion about the hfa, by providing information and. To help you separate fact from fiction, heres a look at five common myths surrounding the highfunctioning alcoholic. How to convince a functional alcoholic to attend treatment. The term highfunctioning alcoholic hfa had been an accurate description of me since i was 18. An hfa is an alcoholic who is able to maintain his or her outside life, such as a job. Revelations of a highfunctioning alcoholic jeff herten on. According to a government survey, about 20% of alcoholics in america are high functioning alcoholics. Six signs that you are a high functioning alcoholic.
The high functioning alcoholic hides their issues in plain sight, and loved ones are usually are not aware that problems exist because things appear normal. Highfunctioning alcoholics and relationships tips for. Addiction can sometimes seem to be a nebulous thing. Contact sober nations sponsored hotline if you are seeking drug and alcohol related addiction rehab for yourself or a loved one, the hotline is a confidential and.
However, it may be used to give you some insight about whether or not your current drinking habits are putting you on a path to alcoholism. How to overcome being a highfunctioning alcoholic cathy. Our traditional mental image of an alcoholic is of someone who simply cannot keep their life together. Setting the record straight about highfunctioning alcoholics. This term is defined by people who have a dependence on, tolerance to, and intense cravings for alcohol, but they still maintain a job, complete school, and have. Apr 11, 2017 the high functioning alcoholic s story is largely one of appearance. When you approach a highfunctioning alcoholic, make sure that he or she is sober first. Jan 28, 2009 why highfunctioning alcoholics need help. The highfunctioning alcoholic subtype in 2007, researchers at the national institute on alcohol abuse and alcoholism a division of the national institutes of health discovered that there are five distinct subtypes of alcoholism. The fact that this person is so good at hiding their problems means that their drinking can go unnoticed for a long time.
They are called highfunctioning alcoholics, and they have all the outward signs of success. The highfunctioning alcoholics story is largely one of appearance. Understanding the high functioning alcoholic benton. Learn the traits and dangers of the high functioning alcoholic from addictions expert sarah allen benton, author of understanding the high functioning alcoholic. The occasional hangover at work was merely something to push through. Alcoholism doesnt always mean a person cant hold down a job or maintain a family life. Even though a loved one may not fit the mold, it doesnt mean he doesnt have a drinking problem. A few family members, friends, or coworkers may suspect the truth, but for the most part, others are not aware of how serious. Learn the traits and dangers of the highfunctioning alcoholic from addictions expert sarah allen benton, author of understanding the highfunctioning alcoholic. May 05, 2009 high functioning alcoholics are highly skilled at leading double lives, ms.
1508 965 1399 26 19 167 18 424 786 1664 181 749 760 835 523 465 96 1452 307 539 394 1181 466 628 1487 1007 170 466 417 1340 599 1113 976 320 763 1135 812 1138 408 1060