When many people think of someone they love being an alcoholic, they may picture someone who is drinking so much that their life seems to be falling apart. However, that image is not always accurate. Many people appear to be fine though they consistently abuse alcohol. These people are high-functioning alcoholics. On the outside, these individuals appear to be thriving, with a high-paying job, good friends, and a happy family. However, beneath the surface, they’re barely hanging on.
If someone you love is suffering from alcoholism or an alcohol addiction, there is help and hope available. When you contact Southworth Associates, we can help you convince your loved one to get the help they need through our professional intervention services. To learn about the services available, contact Southworth Associates today at 844.521.0523.
Signs of a Functioning Alcoholic
A functioning alcoholic is a person who drinks heavily multiple times a week. For a woman, that means that they require three drinks a day or seven drinks a week. For men, that number is slightly higher, with four drinks a day or 14 drinks a week. In any case, if your loved one is drinking more than that regularly, they may be a functioning alcoholic.
However, because those who drink often hide their drinking, it may be difficult to determine if they’re exceeding that limit. Therefore, you may need to keep an eye out for other red flags, such as:
- Joking about having a problem with alcoholism or saying they have a problem
- Letting certain major responsibilities slide at work, school, or home
- Struggling to maintain relationships due to their drinking habits, but being unable to stop drinking
- Having legal problems due to their drinking
- Requiring alcohol to feel confident or to relax
- Getting drunk in the morning or when they did not intend to do so
- Being unable to remember what they did while they were drinking
- Denying that they have a problem with drinking or hiding their drinking
- Causing you and your family to worry about their drinking
Risks of Becoming a Functioning Alcoholic
Though a functioning alcoholic may appear to be in control, in reality, they might be at a higher risk of endangering themselves due to their alcohol use. For instance, they may begin drinking and driving to keep up appearances. Furthermore, they may also start drinking until they blackout or engaging in risky sexual encounters.
Drinking heavily can also lead to a range of health complications, such as:
- Liver disease
- Cancer
- Pancreatitis
- Memory loss
- Brain damage
- High blood pressure
Sadly, addiction doesn’t just affect the person who is drinking. In fact, the person may begin abusing their romantic partner or children. If a woman drinks while she is pregnant, her baby may suffer from fetal alcohol syndrome.
Help Your Loved One Find Alcohol Addiction Treatment
If someone you love is a high-functioning alcoholic, helping them find alcohol addiction treatment is vital. However, they may not be willing to accept that they have a problem. In such cases, it may be necessary to host an intervention. With the help of a professional intervention program, you can ensure that your intervention stays on task and that tempers do not fly out of hand. In addition, we offer a range of other services to ensure that your loved one gets the support they need to stay sober, including:
Whether your loved one is a high-functioning alcoholic or they have a recognizable problem with alcohol, there is treatment available. Contact Southworth Associates today at 844.521.0523 to learn more about how you can help your loved one get the treatment they need.
