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. If you have ever asked yourself, am i a highfunctioning alcoholic. Drawing on the experience of highfunctioning alcoholics, including her own experiences, this book is both instructive and inspiring. 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. A high functioning alcoholic hfa is a person who maintains jobs and relationships while exhibiting alcoholism. Sarah bentons book understanding the high functioning alcoholic is a gift to both clinicians and clients alike. Jun 06, 2018 a highfunctioning alcoholic may look fine, but heavy drinking is damaging hisher health, work and life. They appear to the outside world to be managing life well and defy the alcoholic stereotype by being. Through my new book and this blog, i intend to increase awareness and to facilitate dialogue about highfunctioning alcoholics and the.
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. Another term for someone such as alex is highfunctioning alcoholic. There are certain behaviors that a highfunctioning alcoholic exhibits that are no different from any other type of alcoholic. For anyone who questions their relationship to alcohol, there are online addiction quizzes that can help you find the answers. Sep 04, 2016 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. 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.
An alcoholic even a highfunctioning one simply cannot drink with impunity. A functioning alcoholic is a person who abuses alcohol frequently, but they are still able to function in primary areas of life. Understanding the highfunctioning alcoholic psychology today. Similarly, if a person was diagnosed with diabetes 1 but appears to be managing their. Symptoms of a high functioning alcoholic before i became sober, i knew i had a problem but did my best to avoid confronting it. Understanding the highfunctioning alcoholic sheknows. 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.
You are successful at work, have good relationships with your family and friends, and as far as appearances go, youre doing fine. Jan 07, 2014 experts warn, however, that many people with addictions continue to perform at work. But they may have a secret buried under the surface that theyre trying desperately to hide. Six signs that you are a high functioning alcoholic. Apr 11, 2017 the high functioning alcoholic s story is largely one of appearance. Learn the traits and dangers of the highfunctioning alcoholic from addictions expert sarah allen benton, author of understanding the highfunctioning alcoholic. To help you separate fact from fiction, heres a look at five common myths surrounding the highfunctioning alcoholic. They often hold down a job, take care of financial issues, care. One thing is for certain addiction always catches up with the addict. High functioning alcoholics live in denial and point to their career successes. How to convince a functional alcoholic to attend treatment. Here are some signs that could indicate someone is a high functioning alcoholic.
Benton calls them, are in denial about their abuse of alcohol. The highfunctioning alcoholic is the master of compartmentalizing their life. Her drinking wasnt getting worse as time passed, but her alcoholinduced depression was becoming debilitating and deadly. But in private, the alcoholic behavior pattern is fully active. That number may be underestimated as other sources have indicated that as high as ninety percent of alcoholics are highfunctioning. 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. A high functioning alcoholic might hold down a job and have a family despite an underlying struggle with alcohol addiction. Get details on the functional subclass of alcohol use disorders, including misconceptions that lead to enabling or codependent relationships. 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. I knew my entire world would change and for years the thought of the upheaval was more frightening than the unhealthy behaviours i had.
May 05, 2009 high functioning alcoholics are highly skilled at leading double lives, ms. How to help a functioning alcoholic alcoholism treatment. Experts warn, however, that many people with addictions continue to perform at work. The results are confidential, so be honest about your drinking over the past year.
Identifying a high functioning alcoholic isnt easy. Some of the behaviors and symptoms described in the quiz may not seem serious, but they can be warning signs that a. 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. 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. Now he shares his firsthand knowledge of how alcohol can destroy lives as it nearly destroyed his. Highfunctioning alcoholics often hide the severity of their abuse from friends and loved ones. This book is an indepth exploration of a hidden class of alcoholics. Why highfunctioning alcoholics need help psychology today. Functioning alcoholic living with a functioning alcoholic.
Nonfunctioning alcoholism posted on 20140208 by mark macy editors note. It may also be harder to convince these people to seek treatment due to strong denial about their problems. 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. Here are some signs that could indicate someone is a highfunctioning alcoholic.
A highfunctioning alcoholic hfa is a person who maintains jobs and relationships while exhibiting alcoholism. You likely have questions about how to deal with an alcoholic, or how to help an alcoholic. Recognizing alcohol use disorder symptoms can help you identify whether you or someone you know is a functional alcoholic. High functioning, but still alcoholics the new york times. 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. He seems fine, even great, doing well at work and raising a wonderful family. Jeff herten was a high functioning alcoholic one who drinks every day, yet continues to lead a productive, successful life. The first step to helping a highfunctioning alcoholic is to stop denying that they need help. Alcohol is the single greatest social ill in the united states. There is no such thing as controlled drinking for an alcoholic. 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. Of the alcoholic subtypes above, the niaaa classifies 32% as being a functional or highly functional alcoholic.
Jan 28, 2009 why high functioning alcoholics need help. Learn the traits and dangers of the high functioning alcoholic from addictions expert sarah allen benton, author of understanding the high functioning alcoholic. It is true that high functioning alcoholics do not fit the popular stereotype of a down and out drunk. Am i a highfunctioning alcoholic, and do i need treatment.
High functioning alcoholics often hide the severity of their abuse from friends and loved ones. My wife was a highfunctioning alcoholic with no outward signs of calamity. The highfunctioning alcoholic in society many people who struggle with problem drinking, heavy drinking, or constant cravings for alcohol are considered functional alcoholics. Even though a loved one may not fit the mold, it doesnt mean he doesnt have a drinking problem.
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. 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. The paperback was published in 2010 by rowman and littlefield publishers. The term high functioning alcoholic can be defined as a person who suffers from alcoholism but has yet to experience noticeable effects of alcohol. The most famous highfunctioning alcoholics infographic. 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. 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. Jul 08, 2018 the first step to helping a highfunctioning alcoholic is to stop denying that they need help. Functioning alcoholics high functioning alcoholics individuals who struggle with living a normal life as a result of their alcoholism. A highfunctioning alcoholic is someone who habitually drinks an unhealthy amount of alcohol while maintaining some level of professional. Symptoms of a high functioning alcoholic sober julie.
Highfunctioning alcoholics are highly skilled at leading double lives, ms. Recognizing a highfunctioning alcoholic isnt difficult if you know what to watch for. A highfunctioning alcoholic might hold down a job and have a family despite an underlying struggle with alcohol addiction. 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. 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. Twothirds of these alcoholics seek help for their drinking problems, making them the most prevalent type of alcoholic in treatment. Understanding the highfunctioning alcoholic excerpt. To function is to be capable of carrying out a specific action or activity, to operate or to work. Jul 08, 2017 nobody confronts them on it because theyre getting things done in life. A highfunctioning alcoholic may look fine, but heavy drinking is damaging hisher health, work and life. 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.
The high functioning alcoholic is the master of compartmentalizing their life. Mar 05, 2020 how to know if youre a high functioning alcoholic. For the quiz questions below, check the box next to the question if your answer is yes. Doctors hope that the new definition will help identify severe. He or she may have quality relationships, a great career, and a stable financial situation all while drinking excessively. Oct 28, 2016 recognizing alcohol use disorder symptoms can help you identify whether you or someone you know is a functional alcoholic.
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. More than any other drug, alcohol presents a unique dilemma to those who drink it. Understanding the high functioning alcoholic benton. The paperback of the understanding the highfunctioning alcoholic. Sarah bentons book understanding the highfunctioning alcoholic is a gift to both clinicians and clients alike. 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. 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. Mental health professional and recovering alcoholic sarah allen benton shares her struggles in this excerpt from understanding the. How to know if youre a high functioning alcoholic wikihow. The highfunctioning alcoholics story is largely one of appearance. 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. What percentage of alcoholics are functioning or high functioning alcoholics.
Some individuals classify as functioning alcoholic. Coworkers, relatives and friends often enable the abusive behavior to continue by. Ask your doctor about getting help whether its from a therapist, psychiatrist, or. Breaking the cycle and finding hope by sarah allen benton at barnes.
They should then continue into a rehabilitation program to address the issues associated with alcohol abuse. By any definition functional alcoholics are true alcoholics. Mental health professional and recovering alcoholic sarah allen benton shares her struggles in this excerpt from understanding the highfunctioning alcoholic. The treatment for a high functioning alcoholic is the same as for any other type of addict, benton says. 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.
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. This person probably doesnt have a job and spends much of their day drinking alcohol or asking for money to buy it. Highfunctioning alcoholics do not fit the drunk stereotype. Setting the record straight about highfunctioning alcoholics. 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. This quiz is not intended to diagnose you for alcoholism. Ways to approach the highfunctioning alcoholic in your. Answer the questions below to find out if you have signs of a problem. Many high functioning alcoholics will deny their struggle with alcohol addiction. Jeff herten was a highfunctioning alcoholic one who drinks every day, yet continues to lead a productive, successful life. But in reality, alex is just as much an alcoholic as your stereotypical homeless bum using beggars money to buy a bottle of rum. 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. Many highfunctioning alcoholics will deny their struggle with alcohol addiction.