Finally, social factors such as peer pressure and the availability of alcohol can also contribute to someone’s continued drinking. While there is no cure for alcoholism, treatment options like counseling and medication can help people struggling with this disease to abstain from drinking and live healthy lives. No matter how well high-functioning alcoholics conceal their addiction or maintain their careers and relationships, they are still alcoholics. Many high-functioning alcoholics in recovery have testified that someone can only live a normal life with alcoholism for so long until the disorder starts to affect their health and behavior. For example, high-functioning alcoholics are at greater risk for driving under the influence and committing other alcohol-related crimes. Even if a high-functioning alcoholic never suffers any legal or professional consequences from alcohol abuse, their body will still suffer.
- This free helpline is available 24/7 and can help match you to programs, treatments, and support groups in your area if you live in the United States.
- This makes helping a challenge, especially if you are nervous about confrontation or easily persuaded that the person has everything under control.
- Alcohol dims down how we see the world and can cause cognitive delays.
- Being dismissive can be off-putting for loved ones when they are trying to help you.
How to Help an Alcoholic in Denial Navigate Recovery
Our treatment approach is multi-faceted, clinical, rooted in the 12-step program, and full of community. If you’re able to drink in moderation on most days but find yourself unable to stop once you start drinking in the evening, this may be a sign of high functioning alcoholism. This pattern of drinking is often referred to as “binge drinking.” While it’s not necessarily indicative of alcoholism, it can be a warning sign.
When someone we love is struggling, it’s normal to want to help them and make things as easy as possible for them. However, when you’re dealing with an alcoholic in denial, this can be even more damaging in the long run and can actually enable their destructive behaviour. Enabling an alcoholic in denial may consist of things like making excuses for their drinking or calling in sick to work for them if they’re hungover. This allows them to avoid taking any responsibility for their drinking, meaning that it can continue to get worse. Their drinking can also have a real and lasting impact on you and other people in the household. That’s why it’s also a good idea to have some expectations and boundaries in place.
Next steps
Certain traits, such as independence and perfectionism, can add to a person’s hesitancy or reticence to seek help, says Grawert. People who are high functioning with a drinking problem “seem to have everything together,” says Matt Glowiak, PhD, LCPC, a certified advanced alcohol and drug counselor. They’re able to successfully manage tasks around their work, school, family, and finances, he says. When a loved one has a drinking problem, it’s hard to know how to help, especially if they are in denial. The road to recovery is often paved with professional guidance and the decision to seek professional support from recovery support groups.
If you are looking for premier care and an understanding team, reach out to Avenues Recovery to help your loved one start their journey to recovery. There are many rehab centers and support groups, both online and in-person, for people who are working to achieve sobriety. If you’re ready to get started, contact a treatment provider today to learn more about your treatment options. If you suspect someone you know is struggling with high-functioning alcoholism, it’s important to seek help and support as early as possible. When it comes to alcoholism, it’s important to recognize that it can manifest in different ways. One such manifestation is high-functioning alcoholism, which may be less apparent compared to the stereotypical image of someone struggling with alcohol addiction.
Learn about Alcoholism
It’s important to remember that progress is not always linear, and there may be setbacks along the way. Encourage your loved one to stay committed to treatment and offer support throughout the process. Approaching them may feel foreign or uncomfortable, which is why some choose to reach out to mental health or addiction specialists for guidance.
What Percentage of Alcoholics are Functioning or High Functioning Alcoholics?
It’s important to approach the situation with empathy, compassion, and a willingness to seek professional help. Encouraging treatment and providing a supportive environment are crucial in helping high-functioning alcoholics embark on the path to recovery. While high functioning alcoholics may be able to hold down jobs and keep up appearances, they often struggle to manage their alcohol consumption. They may continue drinking even after it begins to impact their health or personal lives. High functioning alcoholics often deny they have a problem and may be in denial about the severity of their drinking. But alcoholism is a progressive disease, and it is only a matter of time before it catches up helping a high-functioning alcoholic in denial with them.
Coping with Denial in People with Alcoholism
Life feels like an everyday struggle right now, but it’s going to get better. Making the decision to get help for substance abuse is the first step in changing everything. Drinking in the morning is called “eye-opener” drinking, and it’s a sure sign you have a problem with alcohol. Drinking first thing in the morning means you’re using alcohol to cope with alcohol withdrawal symptoms from the night before. This is a dangerous pattern of drinking, and it’s a major red flag for alcoholism.
How to Help a High-Functioning Person with Alcohol Use Disorder
Nearly 20% of alcoholics are highly functional and well-educated with good incomes. Addressing how to deal with alcohol abuse requires a comprehensive approach, which should include therapy, building a strong support system, and possibly medication. Key steps involve setting attainable goals, fostering a supportive environment, and developing strategies for managing triggers. Lifestyle adjustments, such as avoiding alcohol-centric social settings and engaging in healthy activities, are also important.
For some people, this can be a pleasant feeling that enhances social interactions and makes them feel more confident. For many people who struggle with functional alcoholism, alcohol becomes a way to self-medicate and cope with negative emotions. Drinking to feel happy or confident can be a way to avoid dealing with difficult life issues or stressful situations. High-functioning and functioning alcoholics are the most likely group to show serious signs of denial. Denial is a serious mental health issue which can lead to severe self-harm, destructive behaviour and neglect. The risks of alcoholism are well-documented and understood by most of the population, yet addiction continues.
- An alcoholic in denial is not a bad person – they are very sick people who need firm but compassionate guidance to help them realize that they have a serious issue that will not go away.
- It is important to recognize that just because you have realized that your loved one may be in need of an alcohol addiction treatment program, that does not mean they will agree.
- The difference is how their drinking affects their personal, work, and social life.
- “For example, you may notice your spouse drinking more beers at dinner, sleeping less and less, and increasingly on edge well before they start missing workdays,” Grawert adds.
When approaching a loved one about their addiction, it’s important to start the conversation in a non-judgmental way. Be patient and understanding, and try to avoid being confrontational or critical. One of the most important ways to support a high-functioning alcoholic is by educating yourself about the condition. Familiarize yourself with the signs and characteristics of high-functioning alcoholism to better understand the challenges they may be facing. By learning about the condition, you can gain insight into their struggles and develop empathy towards their situation.
Try to keep your emotions out of it, or the conversation can quickly spiral out of control. Explain to the alcoholic how recovery works and offer to help the addict look after their children, etc. while they enter recovery. Assure your loved one that your goal is not to criticize them or cause them any pain. You will support the alcoholic so they can enter recovery and get their life back together again. Start the conversation, and connect with a treatment provider who can help. Treatment programmes at Priory can be on a residential, inpatient basis at one of our leading hospital sites across the UK, allowing you to receive round-the-clock expert treatment.
It is hard to deny your addiction if you have lost your job or home and are physically struggling. It is much easier to pretend everything is fine if the essentials aren’t falling apart. You could also look to join some support groups, such as Al-Anon or Families Anonymous, to share your experiences and receive support from other people who may be going through the same as you. Book a free, confidential chat with one of our support team members to explore how we can help.