Am I a Functioning Alcoholic?

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Do you struggle with controlling your alcohol consumption but still maintain a sense of normalcy and routine despite your alcohol use? Your loved ones may overlook your heavy drinking because you hide your behavior and can manage your life.  

Do you drink alone to help soothe your emotions and stressors? Do you become defensive when questioned about your drinking? Have a difficult time controlling your drinking? Experience regular hangovers? Experience withdrawals if you cut down or eliminate booze? Can you manage these behaviors so nobody around you assumes you are struggling with alcohol use?   

Society often views drinking as a social lubricant; maybe you are celebrating or out with friends or want a drink to relax after a hard day. Although drinking in moderation and with strict boundaries isn’t necessarily unhealthy, it is easy to cross that fine line into harmful drinking. Unhealthy drinking can turn into binge drinking, alcohol misuse, or an alcohol disorder.    

A functioning alcoholic misuses alcohol or has an alcohol use disorder but still maintains a relatively everyday or successful life. “Functioning alcoholic” is not an official clinical diagnosis but describes individuals who can maintain their work, relational, and social responsibilities despite their alcohol abuse. 

Note: Individuals with an alcohol use disorder are often referred to as “alcoholics.” This term is outdated as it is stigmatizing because it characterizes the individual solely by alcohol consumption. Individuals who are addicted to alcohol are not bad people and shouldn’t be labeled by their disorder. However, the term “functioning alcoholic” the word alcoholic, is still used in literature today. A better term would be “high-functioning individuals with an alcohol use disorder,” but that’s a mouthful!

Signs you may be a functioning alcoholic

1. You have a high tolerance for alcohol 
2. You drink in secret 
3. You experience mood swings 
4. You make consuming alcohol a priority 
5. You deny drinking or make excuses for your drinking 
6. You still maintain a professional presence despite experiencing hangovers or intoxication at work 
7. You rely on alcohol to regulate your emotions and stressors 
8. You camouflage your drinking behavior as a “social drinker.” 
9. You always have a reason to drink

Do you rationalize your drinking habits?

1. “I am a successful individual, so how can my drinking be out of control?” 
2. “I pay my bills on time, have lots of friends, and have a good job.” 
3. “I only purchase top-shelf alcohol.” 
4. “I have not endured hardships or damage due to alcohol.” 
5. “Everyone drinks as I do; it’s normal.”

What are my risks as a functional alcoholic?

High-functioning alcoholism may result in legal, relationship, work-related, and health issues. In late-stage alcoholism, many functional alcoholics can develop diabetes, hepatitis C, pancreatitis, and many other problems, possibly due to avoiding medical appointments. Consequences of functional alcoholism include the following:

1. Legal issues 
2. Domestic violence 
3. Relationship problems 
4. Memory loss 
5. Increased risk of suicide 
6. Health-related concerns

Seeking help

America’s National Institutes of Health estimate that as many as 20% of all people suffering from alcohol addiction are highly functioning. Most are described as well-educated with good incomes. You are not alone in your drinking habits, and just because you are successful and have your life together does not mean you are at risk for potential consequences or dangers in the near future. One of the first steps to seeking help is to speak with someone you trust. Maybe this is a family member or close friend, someone who has good insight, is a good listener, will not judge you, and will keep everything confidential. Having a support network of loved ones around you is very helpful during the early stages of your treatment journey.  

Speaking to a professional addiction therapist is the first step in seeking professional treatment. This person can help you work through underlying triggers that have caused you to abuse alcohol. Depending on your symptoms and severity, they may recommend a detox program or treatment at an addiction center.