Is There Such Thing as a "Functioning Alcoholic?"

Everyone is a Little Different

Alcoholism is a complicated disease in that it can strike anybody, at any time and without warning. And when alcohol dependency hits, it is not always immediately recognizable to the outsider. As with many chronic health problems, the degree of severity related to alcohol addiction varies greatly depending on the individual's level of genetic predisposition as well as current environmental factors that may serves as triggers.

With so many variables thrown in the mix, it's no wonder that some alcoholics cannot even tie their shoes in the morning without taking a shot or two of hard liquor, while others manage for years on end without ever raising any eyebrows.

Some alcohol abusers argue that, as so-called functioning alcoholics, they are able to get on with everyday life just fine and thus have no need of rehabilitation measures. They feel they are perfectly capable of alcohol cessation at any time of their choosing. But is this true? Is there such a thing as a functioning alcoholic or is this merely an excuse addicted individuals tell themselves in hopes of drawing out that blissful period of denial and avoiding treatment altogether?

High-Functioning Alcoholism...Or Denial?

Often debated is whether any alcoholic can truly be considered high-functioning. After all, an individual suffering from an officially diagnosed case of alcoholism is naturally putting his or her body at great risk. Some negative symptoms of the disease manifest themselves early on, including forgetfulness, impaired thinking, decreased immune system functioning and diminishing motor functioning, among others.

However, through a combination of creativity, determination and desperation, many alcoholics are able to continue making the motions of everyday life despite suffering such harmful side effects. In fact, research (1) suggests that as many as one half of alcoholic individuals can be classified as high-functioning, meaning that they still are able to hold down jobs, complete academic work and remain in reasonably close relationships.

The problem with a seemingly high-functioning case of alcoholism is that it breeds intense feelings of denial. Individuals thought to have high-functioning alcoholism may not recognize problematic behaviors in themselves, or, if they do, may feel that they are able to continue getting away with such behavior at little to no risk of suffering any consequences. Some may even view indulging in alcohol as their just reward for working hard on a day-to-day basis. Thus, these individuals continue with their addictive behaviors, meanwhile entrenching themselves further and further within the trap of addiction.

Treatment For The High-Functioning Alcoholic

If there is one advantage to being labeled a high-functioning alcoholic, it is that, upon finally recognizing his or her problem, the patient may be able to complete the treatment process at an outpatient facility. This allows the individual to continue on with school, work or other facets or ordinary life while addressing the current symptoms of the addiction as well as the underlying issues that may have led to its development in the first place.

Unfortunately, some patients struggling with alcoholism may appear to be high-functioning at the time, but could very well be in a far worse state than friends, families or even medical professionals could ever predict. After all, denial and secrecy are core features of alcoholism. (2) If the sufferer wants to hide the problem, he or she will go to seemingly insane lengths to accomplish just that. Thus, it is better not to initially cast off a supposedly high-functioning patient as unworthy of higher-intensity treatments. Sometimes, those accomplishing the most in their personal lives are also those most on the verge of the worst alcohol-induced crashes.

Get the Recovery You Need

Ultimately, the conclusion of addiction researchers is that yes, there is a variety of alcoholism that can be referred to as functioning. However, even if the level of functioning is higher than that of other alcoholics, recovered individuals report that they feel happier, healthier, and ultimately, far more motivated to accomplish great things. The question then is not whether one is simply functioning, but whether that person is meeting his or her full potential. And if alcohol dependency is in the mix, the answer is likely a resounding no.