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In addition to supporting your own mental health, this serves as a role model to your loved one. Sometimes, a person’s personality can influence their tendency for denial. Certain traits, such as independence and perfectionism, can add to a person’s hesitancy or reticence to seek help, says Grawert.

1. You, too, might realize that your relationship with alcohol is negatively affecting your life.
2. These tests are provided by a healthcare professional and go in depth about your relationship with alcohol.
3. Many high-functioning alcoholics feel the same way until they experience the negative effects of their drinking.

The condition causes changes in the brain that decrease the ability to quit on your own. This makes it important to seek medical treatment and peer support in your recovery process. 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. These behaviors are potential signs that a person 3 ways to pass a urine drug test is unable to control their cravings for alcohol or they’re trying to resolve withdrawal symptoms by drinking, both of which are symptoms of AUD. Both binge drinking and heavy drinking patterns increase a person’s risk of AUD and are common behaviors among people with AUD. I think the secret, or perhaps not-so-secret, appeal of “high-functioning” is that it allows us to meet these twin demands.

Inpatient Treatment

Twenty years ago today, I woke up from a typical alcohol-induced blackout in an apartment I did not recognize in an unfamiliar Boston neighborhood. I stared at the ceiling with a pit in my stomach, a void in my soul, a dead cell phone battery, and an inner knowing that I would never let myself feel this way again. I gathered my few belongings from the night before and shamefully walked to the Boston “T” to get back home. When I arrived, reeking of booze from the evening before and makeup strewn down my face, I was confronted by two of my female roommates. Managing AUD is a lifelong process, so the earlier you or your loved one seeks help, the more likely you are to succeed in overcoming the disorder and limiting recurrence.

Alcohol Dependence

Instead, voice your concerns, share how their drinking is affecting others, and suggest ways that you can help them talk to a doctor or join a support group. 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. Sarah Allen Benton, M.S., LMHC., LPC, is a licensed mental health counselor and author of Understanding the High-Functioning Alcoholic. Alcoholism is a chronic, progressive, and lifelong disease that needs to be treated, whether the alcoholic is a lawyer or a homeless person. The face of the alcoholic needs to be changed and the walls of denial must be broken down in order that alcoholics everywhere can receive proper diagnosis and treatment.

Consequences of High-Functioning Alcoholism

High-functional alcoholism can lead to an alcohol use disorder. Express an openness to talk about their drinking, provide support and establish boundaries. Make it clear to him that you will not support their drinking or unhealthy behaviors, and you will not share in the consequences.

How to support your loved one in getting help and getting healthy

These issues can be insidious and increase as a person becomes more dependent on alcohol. Over time, these minor signs can snowball into more significant issues. You may believe you’re not doing anything wrong and are in control of your life. Many high-functioning alcoholics feel the same way until they experience the negative effects of their drinking.

Although they may appear to be healthy and functional, without treatment, their condition could get worse. Although a person with high-functioning alcoholism may appear fine, they are not. Without treatment, the cost of excessive alcohol use infographics online media alcohol their alcoholism can get progressively worse. Because of this appearance, their problem doesn’t seem as severe as other types of alcoholism. However, they usually meet the criteria of alcohol use disorder.

For the functional alcoholic, the denial runs deep, because they have yet to encounter significant negative consequences. While the term “alcoholic” was used in the past but is now viewed as outdated and stigmatizing. Today, healthcare professionals would say that a person has an alcohol use disorder (AUD).