Alcoholism and alcohol abuse present myriad of social, psychological and physical problems, particularly for socalled high functioning alcoholics. He or she may have quality relationships, a great career, and a stable financial situation all while drinking excessively. Sarah bentons book understanding the highfunctioning alcoholic is a gift to both clinicians and clients alike. For the quiz questions below, check the box next to the question if your answer is yes. Over the past 40 years its become obvious to me that world. More than any other drug, alcohol presents a unique dilemma to those who drink it. 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. The highfunctioning alcoholic is the master of compartmentalizing their life. Jul 08, 2017 nobody confronts them on it because theyre getting things done in life. Here are some signs that could indicate someone is a high functioning alcoholic. This book is an indepth exploration of a hidden class of alcoholics.
There are people who meet the criteria for a medical diagnosis for alcohol dependence who are highly functional in society and still have their jobs, homes, and families. The most famous highfunctioning alcoholics infographic. Functioning alcoholic living with a functioning alcoholic. A highfunctioning alcoholic might hold down a job and have a family despite an underlying struggle with alcohol addiction. Symptoms of a high functioning alcoholic sober julie. The highfunctioning alcoholic in society many people who struggle with problem drinking, heavy drinking, or constant cravings for alcohol are considered functional 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 apparently healthy relationships. Jan 07, 2014 experts warn, however, that many people with addictions continue to perform at work. Functioning alcoholics high functioning alcoholics individuals who struggle with living a normal life as a result of their alcoholism.
While this guilt and shame should provide the impetus for the high functioning alcoholic to take a deeper look into themselves, they will instead try even harder to mask their issues with alcohol. 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. It will help a highfunctioning alcoholic face their denial of alcoholism and help family and friends who witness it to better appreciate and understand it. Highfunctioning alcoholics do not fit the drunk stereotype. This person may be very worried about their reputation, but they need to know that there are options where they can get the help they need anonymously.
They should then continue into a rehabilitation program to address the issues associated with alcohol abuse. Jan, 2015 symptoms of a high functioning alcoholic before i became sober, i knew i had a problem but did my best to avoid confronting it. Revelations of a highfunctioning alcoholic jeff herten on. The paperback was published in 2010 by rowman and littlefield publishers. There is no such thing as controlled drinking for an alcoholic. Recognizing alcohol use disorder symptoms can help you identify whether you or someone you know is a functional alcoholic. To help you separate fact from fiction, heres a look at five common myths surrounding the highfunctioning alcoholic. Another term for someone such as alex is highfunctioning alcoholic.
Some individuals classify as functioning alcoholic. 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. One thing is for certain addiction always catches up with the addict. 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. The highfunctioning alcoholics story is largely one of appearance. Experts warn, however, that many people with addictions continue to perform at work. For anyone who questions their relationship to alcohol, there are online addiction quizzes that can help you find the answers. A functioning alcoholic is a person who abuses alcohol frequently, but they are still able to function in primary areas of life. Highfunctioning alcoholics often hide the severity of their abuse from friends and loved ones. It may also be harder to convince these people to seek treatment due to strong denial about their problems. He seems fine, even great, doing well at work and raising a wonderful family.
The treatment for a high functioning alcoholic is the same as for any other type of addict, benton says. Apr 11, 2017 the high functioning alcoholic s story is largely one of appearance. Sarah bentons book understanding the high functioning alcoholic is a gift to both clinicians and clients alike. It can be very helpful for this person to meet people in recovery who also experienced what it was like to be a professional high functioning alcoholic. 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.
The high functioning alcoholic is the master of compartmentalizing their life. That number may be underestimated as other sources have indicated that as high as ninety percent of alcoholics are highfunctioning. Understanding the highfunctioning alcoholic sheknows. Her drinking wasnt getting worse as time passed, but her alcoholinduced depression was becoming debilitating and deadly.
Breaking the cycle and finding hope by sarah allen benton at barnes. Now he shares his firsthand knowledge of how alcohol can destroy lives as it nearly destroyed his. Learn the traits and dangers of the highfunctioning alcoholic from addictions expert sarah allen benton, author of understanding the highfunctioning alcoholic. Dec 14, 2017 if you have ever asked yourself, am i a highfunctioning alcoholic. Ask your doctor about getting help whether its from a therapist, psychiatrist, or. There are certain behaviors that a highfunctioning alcoholic exhibits that are no different from any other type of alcoholic. Finding resources in advance, like a rehabilitation program that fits the needs and personality of the highfunctioning alcoholic, can also help them make the choice to overcome their addiction. If you have ever asked yourself, am i a highfunctioning alcoholic. Through my new book and this blog, i intend to increase awareness and to facilitate dialogue about highfunctioning alcoholics and the.
The intention of the high functioning alcoholic blog is to increase awareness about this hidden class of alcoholics and to provide information and resources to readers. Nobody confronts them on it because theyre getting things done in life. High functioning alcoholics live in denial and point to their career successes. Drawing on the experience of highfunctioning alcoholics, including her own experiences, this book is both instructive and inspiring. But in reality, alex is just as much an alcoholic as your stereotypical homeless bum using beggars money to buy a bottle of rum. Understanding the highfunctioning alcoholic psychology today. Similarly, if a person was diagnosed with diabetes 1 but appears to be managing their. To function is to be capable of carrying out a specific action or activity, to operate or to work. A highfunctioning alcoholic is someone who habitually drinks an unhealthy amount of alcohol while maintaining some level of professional. Highfunctioning alcoholics, then, are those people who are able to convincingly go through their prescribed roles and carry out their duties yet who continues to drink alcohol.
Doctors hope that the new definition will help identify severe. A high functioning alcoholic hfa is a person who maintains jobs and relationships while exhibiting alcoholism. Alcohol is the single greatest social ill in the united states. It is true that high functioning alcoholics do not fit the popular stereotype of a down and out drunk. 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. But they may have a secret buried under the surface that theyre trying desperately to hide. A high functioning alcoholic might hold down a job and have a family despite an underlying struggle with alcohol addiction.
Jan 28, 2009 why high functioning alcoholics need help. Sep 04, 2016 so how can you help someone who is a highfunctioning alcoholic. How to know if youre a high functioning alcoholic wikihow. Many high functioning alcoholics will deny their struggle with alcohol addiction. Just because someone is able to function at work or in life despite their dependence on alcohol does not mean that they are immune to its effects. Jeff herten was a highfunctioning alcoholic one who drinks every day, yet continues to lead a productive, successful life. Six signs that you are a high functioning alcoholic. Of the alcoholic subtypes above, the niaaa classifies 32% as being a functional or highly functional alcoholic.
Understanding the high functioning alcoholic benton. Setting the record straight about highfunctioning alcoholics. Finding resources in advance, like a rehabilitation program that fits the needs and personality of the high functioning alcoholic, can also help them make the choice to overcome their addiction. This quiz is not intended to diagnose you for alcoholism. Mental health professional and recovering alcoholic sarah allen benton shares her struggles in this excerpt from understanding the highfunctioning alcoholic. Mental health professional and recovering alcoholic sarah allen benton shares her struggles in this excerpt from understanding the. But in private, the alcoholic behavior pattern is fully active.
A highfunctioning alcoholic hfa is a person who maintains jobs and relationships while exhibiting alcoholism. Ways to approach the highfunctioning alcoholic in your. By any definition functional alcoholics are true alcoholics. Twothirds of these alcoholics seek help for their drinking problems, making them the most prevalent type of alcoholic in treatment. How to convince a functional alcoholic to attend treatment. 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.
Nonfunctioning alcoholism posted on 20140208 by mark macy editors note. Highfunctioning alcoholics are highly skilled at leading double lives, ms. Coworkers, relatives and friends often enable the abusive behavior to continue by. The first step to helping a highfunctioning alcoholic is to stop denying that they need help. This type of drinker is known as a functional alcoholic, highfunctioning alcoholic, or currentlyfunctioning alcoholic, since its not likely that youll remain functional nor misuse alcohol forev. They have the highest rates of other psychiatric disorders including depression, bipolar disorder, and anxiety disorders as well as high rates of smoking, and marijuana, cocaine, and opiate dependence. Jun 06, 2018 a highfunctioning alcoholic may look fine, but heavy drinking is damaging hisher health, work and life. Jeff herten was a high functioning alcoholic one who drinks every day, yet continues to lead a productive, successful life. They might reason that because they go to work and school, interact with their family, manage a household, and fulfill their everyday responsibilities, they cant possibly have an alcohol problem. Some of the behaviors and symptoms described in the quiz may not seem serious, but they can be warning signs that a. If someone close to you is a highfunctioning alcoholic, its just as important to seek support for yourself as it is to get help for your loved one. 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 excerpt. That number may be underestimated as other sources have indicated that as high as ninety percent of alcoholics are high functioning. So how can you help someone who is a highfunctioning alcoholic. If youre the loved one of someone in either group, its important that you know how to deal with an alcoholic effectively, with consideration to their symptoms and lifestyle, if you want to help them get well. The paperback of the understanding the highfunctioning alcoholic. I knew my entire world would change and for years the thought of the upheaval was more frightening than the unhealthy behaviours i had. The results are confidential, so be honest about your drinking over the past year. Why highfunctioning alcoholics need help psychology today. Answer the questions below to find out if you have signs of a problem. Jul 08, 2018 the first step to helping a highfunctioning alcoholic is to stop denying that they need help. High functioning, but still alcoholics the new york times. Here are some signs that could indicate someone is a highfunctioning alcoholic. They appear to the outside world to be managing life well and defy the alcoholic stereotype by being. An alcoholic even a highfunctioning one simply cannot drink with impunity.
While this guilt and shame should provide the impetus for the highfunctioning alcoholic to take a deeper look into themselves, they will instead try even harder to mask their issues with alcohol. Meanwhile, the high functioning alcoholic is well respected at work and at home, is a family man, oh yeah, a real pillar to the community. Recognizing a highfunctioning alcoholic isnt difficult if you know what to watch for. A highfunctioning alcoholic may look fine, but heavy drinking is damaging hisher health, work and life.
The term high functioning alcoholic can be defined as a person who suffers from alcoholism but has yet to experience noticeable effects of alcohol. Symptoms of a high functioning alcoholic before i became sober, i knew i had a problem but did my best to avoid confronting it. What percentage of alcoholics are functioning or high functioning alcoholics. 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. Oct 28, 2016 recognizing alcohol use disorder symptoms can help you identify whether you or someone you know is a functional alcoholic. Many highfunctioning alcoholics will deny their struggle with alcohol addiction. You can also dispel some of the myths and stereotypes about alcoholics that i have written about in other blog posts on this site and in my book understanding the high functioning alcoholic.
May 05, 2009 high functioning alcoholics are highly skilled at leading double lives, ms. High functioning alcoholics often hide the severity of their abuse from friends and loved ones. Learn the traits and dangers of the high functioning alcoholic from addictions expert sarah allen benton, author of understanding the high functioning alcoholic. Mar 05, 2020 how to know if youre a high functioning alcoholic. This person probably doesnt have a job and spends much of their day drinking alcohol or asking for money to buy it. I hope the high functioning alcoholic doesnt forget to pat himself on the back as he seeks help and goes back to being a high functioning, high powered earner. The intention of the highfunctioning alcoholic blog is to increase awareness about this hidden class of alcoholics and to provide information and resources to readers.
Even though a loved one may not fit the mold, it doesnt mean he doesnt have a drinking problem. Identifying a high functioning alcoholic isnt easy. You likely have questions about how to deal with an alcoholic, or how to help an alcoholic. My wife was a highfunctioning alcoholic with no outward signs of calamity. 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. Benton calls them, are in denial about their abuse of alcohol.
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