The Damaging Effects of High-Functioning Alcoholism
Key Takeaways
| Illusion of Control | Functioning alcoholics often believe they have control over their drinking because they manage daily responsibilities, but alcohol dependence is still a serious issue. |
| Health Impacts | Long-term alcohol use can cause significant physical (liver disease, cancer, heart issues) and mental health problems (depression, anxiety). |
| Strained Relationships | While functioning alcoholics might seem stable, alcohol can harm relationships through irritability, emotional distance, and breaches of trust. |
| Career Impact | Though functioning alcoholics may perform well at work or school, alcohol often affects productivity and decision-making and can eventually lead to job instability. |
| Progressive Nature | Functioning alcoholism is not static—it tends to get worse over time, potentially leading to full-blown alcohol use disorder. |
| Legal and Financial Risks | Functioning alcoholics face risks such as legal consequences from impaired driving and financial strain from alcohol-related costs. |
What Is Functioning Alcoholism?
It is common to hear the term “functioning alcoholic,” but what does it mean? It can also mean a person who drinks a lot but does not seem to have any problems in his or her life. They work, have partners, and fulfill roles in society. Nevertheless, the term can be quite ambiguous. Although they may appear to be ‘normal’ on the outside, the consequences of high-functioning alcoholism are severe, hidden, and often overlooked. This is what they don’t tell you.
The Illusion of Control
A functional alcoholic may justify his or her drinking by arguing that they are still able to meet their responsibilities in their day to day life. This is a false sense of control. Alcohol dependence is not about how good you are at hiding it; it’s about how much your body and mind have come to rely on alcohol. Some of the common things that people say include, ‘I only drink after work’ or ‘I don’t drink in the morning,’ and such statements make them feel that they are not addicted. The behavior of using alcohol to solve the issues is the actual sign of the problem.
Physical and Psychological Effects.
Although a functional alcoholic may look normal, alcohol slowly negatively affects the body and the spirit. Alcohol abuse affects almost every organ of the human body, and even if the changes are not apparent, they are still occurring. Alcohol consumption in moderation is known to cause liver diseases, heart diseases, high blood pressure, and some types of cancer. Alcoholism is a process where the body gets used to alcohol, and if one stops taking it, withdrawal symptoms occur; this is where the more one continues to take alcohol, the worse it becomes.
In the mind, alcohol can make anxiety and depression even worse. Some working alcoholics drink to reduce stress or to escape from their emotions, while alcohol is a depressant that can worsen the symptoms of other mental disorders. In the long run, alcohol consumption to deal with the problems only worsens the psychological problems instead of solving them.
The Strain on Relationships
The so-called ‘functional alcoholic’ may not openly admit the effects of his or her drinking on other people. Although they may not be physically or verbally violent, they can still cause damage to their relationships. Alcohol addiction can lead to aggressive behavior, mood swings, and emotional detachment, which makes it hard for people to bond. With time, partners, children, and friends may realize that alcohol becomes more important than the relationship.
There is also the question of trust. Families may observe certain behaviors, such as hiding alcohol or denying the amount of alcohol taken. Such violations of trust can lead to resentment, confusion, and, ultimately, detachment.
Performance at Work or School.
This is because functioning alcoholics can meet their responsibilities at their workplace or school, and thus they can sustain their drinking. But this does not mean that alcohol does not have a negative impact on their performance in some way or another. The effects of a hangover include; reduced focus, poor decision making, and poor judgment. Alcohol also affects the quality of sleep, which means that a functioning alcoholic is functioning sub-optimally most of the time, even if this is not always obvious.
In the process, as the alcohol dependence increases, it may become difficult to meet certain obligations. Late submissions, errors, or even lateness may start to appear in a once-steady job or academic performance. However, working alcoholics may not be willing to associate these issues with their drinking but may rather blame it on stress or fatigue, among other factors.
Higher Chances of Becoming an Alcoholic in the Future.
Functioning alcoholism is not a static state, and it is not a state of being. It is a cumulative condition, which means it becomes worse as time goes on. With time, the level of tolerance to alcohol may rise, and this means that more alcohol will be taken. It may begin with a few drinks in the evening and progress to drinking at different times of the day as the body becomes dependent on alcohol to ‘work’ properly.
This gradual change is a problem because it is possible to overlook or justify it. The likelihood of developing an alcohol use disorder rises significantly the longer the behavior goes unaddressed. When a person moves from functional to non-functional alcoholism, the effects are more apparent and devastating, and this makes it difficult to treat the patient and help him or her recover.
Denial and Stigma
Another characteristic of the functioning alcoholic is that he or she is in complete denial of the problem. Since the individual continues to meet his or her social responsibilities, such as working, paying bills, and having a family, he or she may not think he or she has a problem. This denial can be supported by friends, family, or co-workers who only see the positive aspects of the person’s life, not the negative.
There is also the social aspect of alcoholism which is the stigma. Most working alcoholics do not go for alcohol treatment because they do not want to be categorized as alcoholics or they fear being stigmatized. This is a barrier to treatment since people with such a stigma do not seek treatment, and the problem persists and may lead to long-term complications.
Legal and Financial Consequences
Although the functional alcoholic may be able to hide the worst aspects of his or her condition for a while, legal and financial problems are never far away. Even occasional driving under the influence can result in an accident, an arrest, or loss of a driver’s license. It also affects the financial aspect since overindulgence is expensive. From the price of alcohol, medical expenses for diseases and injuries that are linked to alcohol consumption, and possible loss of employment due to poor performance, the economic impact of high-functioning alcoholism can be quite steep.
Challenges in Seeking Treatment
A functional alcoholic does not think that he or she has a problem, and therefore, he or she will not look for help. They may be apprehensive of the changes the treatment will cause in their daily routine, especially at work or home. There is also the issue of prejudice and the concern of being unable to control the environment that they have so meticulously constructed. However, if the person seeks help early enough, then they can be able to stop the development of alcohol use disorder and reduce the effects of the following long-term effects.
If you or someone you love is addicted to alcohol or drugs, call Ambience Recovery at 866-721-7470 today!
FAQ
Q: What is the difference between an alcoholic and a functional alcoholic?
A: Although both the heavy drinkers and the functioning alcoholics consume a lot of alcohol, the only difference is that the functioning alcoholic is physically dependent on alcohol, and it is affecting his health, but still, he can meet his work and family responsibilities. It is possible that heavy drinkers have not yet developed dependence.
Q: Is it possible for a functioning alcoholic to quit without the help of a professional?
A: Although some of the working alcoholics may be able to cut down or stop drinking on their own, this is not very common. Alcohol dependence is a combination of the physical and the psychological, and therefore, most individuals require professional help in the form of counseling or medical management to quit the drink.
Q: Why do functional alcoholics not consider their drinking as pathological?
A: The main reason is denial. This is because functioning alcoholics can meet their daily needs, and therefore they may not have the perception that they have a problem with alcohol use disorder. They may justify their actions or think they can continue their daily activities; therefore, there is no problem.
Q: Is functioning alcoholism a disease that lasts for the whole life?
A: No, functioning alcoholism is not an acute one; it is a progressive disease. If not treated, it usually results in a more severe alcohol use disorder, health problems, and poor performance in work or other activities. Prevention of this progression is crucial, and this can only be done with early intervention.
This type of alcoholism is referred to as ‘functional’ since the symptoms are not as evident as in severe cases, but this does not mean that it is any less hazardous. The longer a person stays in denial, the worse the effects.
Citations
Alcohol’s Effects on Health – NIAAA.NIH.Gov
https://www.niaaa.nih.gov/alcohols-effects-health/alcohols-effects-body
High-Functioning Alcoholics – Alcoholrehabguide.org
https://www.alcoholrehabguide.org/resources/high-functioning-alcoholics/
The High Functioning Alcoholic – DHHR.WV.Gov
