What are the Signs of a Functioning Alcoholic?

Alcoholism, or Alcohol Use Disorder (AUD) as it’s known in medical terminology, is quite prevalent, affecting more than 28 million adults and 750,000 youth in the United States. The common impression of people suffering from an AUD is of a daily drinker who is always intoxicated, but AUD can manifest itself in many ways. Some people are what’s known as functional alcoholics, maintaining what may appear on the surface to be a “normal” life.

However, there are signs that you can look for if you think that a loved one, or you, may be a functioning alcoholic.

What Is a Functioning Alcoholic?

Many people drink socially on a regular basis, going out with friends on the weekends or having wine with dinner every night. Often, people can do this without developing an AUD, but for some people, this social drinking can get out of control, and they become a functioning alcoholic.

Functioning alcoholics often maintain a job or go to school and appear to live in a relatively normal way. They don’t necessarily show the signs that you might think an alcoholic would show, such as poor hygiene, obvious intoxication, or irresponsibility. Instead, they seem to have it all together. No one sees that inside they are struggling with their alcohol addiction. Often, they don’t even recognize that they have a problem.

Signs of a Functioning Alcoholic

While at first glance, functioning alcoholics may not appear to have a problem, you can look for certain signs.

High Tolerance to Alcohol

Often, alcoholics can drink more than the average person without experiencing the same effects. You may notice that the person consumes a lot of drinks in a short time but does not appear intoxicated.

Drinking to Cope with Stress

Drinking is a coping mechanism for many people with an AUD. You may notice that in stressful situations, the person says “I need a drink” or seeks a drink at the next opportunity.

Memory Lapses

Alcoholics often experience blackouts and may not remember what they did or said while drinking. For example, if you went out with a friend for the evening and the next day you tried to continue a conversation you were having the night before, they might not know what you’re talking about.

Work or School Issues

As alcohol addiction progresses, it can affect work or school performance. You might notice that the person is calling in sick or missing classes more often.

Isolation

Often, alcoholics begin to withdraw from family and friends because they want to drink like they want to without anyone knowing. You might notice that the person doesn’t want to go out or engage in activities that they used to do.

Denial

Functioning alcoholics are often in denial about their addiction, thinking that they don’t have a problem because drinking is not affecting their work or school performance. They may get defensive if you bring up their excessive drinking.

Secret Drinking

Functioning alcoholics may attempt to conceal how much they are drinking. For example, if you live with the person, they may hide or secretly dispose of liquor bottles.

Dangerous Behavior

Since functioning alcoholics have a high tolerance for alcohol, they may think that they are able to drive even if you’ve seen them consume many drinks.

Justifying Their Drinking

Functioning alcoholics may justify their drinking to you or to themselves by saying things like “I had a bad day, I need to drink”, or by comparing themselves to someone else who drinks more.

Physical Issues

Even functioning alcoholics can develop health problems. You may notice that the person has frequent hangovers, is fatigued, or complains of gastrointestinal issues.

Trying to Control Their Drinking

On some level, functioning alcoholics may know that they have a problem and try to control their drinking. They may decide to drink only on the weekends, or limit how many drinks they consume at a time. You’ll probably notice that these attempts don’t last long, or don’t work at all.

The Risks of Denial

Many functioning alcoholics deny that they have a problem, both to others and to themselves, so they do not seek treatment. The risk is that without treatment, their alcoholism will inevitably start to cause problems. Even though they may be functioning well now, drinking will likely start to affect their work, relationships, and responsibilities, and may cause legal or health problems. Most people can only function for so long as an alcoholic before they start to decline.

Help Is Available

If you know someone who you think is a functioning alcoholic, many organizations, such as Bridges of Hope, can provide resources and support to enable you to help the person. If you think you may be a functioning alcoholic, do not be afraid to reach out for help. The sooner you seek treatment, the less likely you are to start to suffer serious consequences.