How to Recognize a Functional Alcoholic

Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsRisk FactorsSymptomsImpactCopingGetting Help

Table of ContentsView All

View All

Table of Contents

Risk Factors

Symptoms

Impact

Coping

Getting Help

If you or a loved one are struggling with substance use or addiction, contact theSubstance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) National Helplineat1-800-662-4357for information on support and treatment facilities in your area.For more mental health resources, see ourNational Helpline Database.

For more mental health resources, see ourNational Helpline Database.

While the term “alcoholic” was used in the past but is now viewed as outdated and stigmatizing. Today, healthcare professionals would say that a person has an alcohol use disorder (AUD).

A “functional alcoholic” (or “high-functioning alcoholic”) isn’t a formal medical diagnosis, but a term used colloquially to describe a person who is dependent upon alcohol but can still function in society. The term “currently-functioning" may be used since it’s not likely they will remain functional (and not misuse alcohol) indefinitely.

Drinking rarely causes them to miss work and other obligations (although it does happen occasionally). They are usually able to manage areas of life including jobs, homes, and families.

They often appear physically and mentally healthy. However, they are likely struggling with uncontrollable cravings, unsuccessful attempts at quitting, and obsessive thoughts about their next drink—all hallmarks of analcohol use disorder.

Risk Factors for Functional Alcoholics

According to the National Institutes of Health, functional alcoholics are typically “middle-aged, well-educated, with stable jobs and families.“While the causes are not known, there are risk factors that increase your chances of developing a problem with alcohol, including:

RecapCertain factors may increase your risk of developing an alcohol problem. Binge drinking, social pressures, family history, mental health issues, and excess alcohol use can all increase your risk of developing an alcohol use disorder.

Recap

Certain factors may increase your risk of developing an alcohol problem. Binge drinking, social pressures, family history, mental health issues, and excess alcohol use can all increase your risk of developing an alcohol use disorder.

Signs of a Functional Alcoholic

Could it be that you have an alcohol use disorder even though you continue to function well in society? Could your drinking have slowly increased to the point that you have become alcohol dependent without even knowing it?

Here are some red flags that signal you need help:

Self-Tests to Help Determine a Drinking Problem

Denial

One of the main reasons that people who misuse alcohol seek help is the eventual negative consequences of their alcohol consumption. When the pain or embarrassment gets bad enough, they can no longer deny that their drinking needs to be addressed.

For the functional alcoholic, the denial runs deep, because they have yet to encounter significant negative consequences. They go to work every day. They haven’t suffered financially. They have never been arrested.

They tell themselves that don’t have a problem. Listen for excuses:

Online Tests to Determine If You Have a Drinking Problem

Tolerance

A functional alcoholic often consumes as much alcohol as someone with an alcohol use disorder. However, they will not exhibit outward symptoms of intoxication.

This is because they have developed a tolerance for alcohol to the point that it takes more for them to feel the effects (including hangovers). Consequently, they must drink increasingly larger amounts to get the same “buzz” they want.

This slow build-up of alcohol tolerance means the functional alcoholic is drinking at dangerous levels that can result in:

Chronic heavy drinkers can display a functional tolerance to the point they show few obvious signs of intoxication even at high blood alcohol concentrations, which in others would be incapacitating.

How Does Increased Alcohol Tolerance Affect a Person?

Withdrawal

Unfortunately, even when functional alcoholics begin to recognize that they have a drinking problem, they still resist reaching out for help. By the time they admit the problem, their withdrawal symptoms—which can begin within a few hours after their last drink—can become more and more severe.

Symptoms of alcohol withdrawal include:

They may try to quit independently, but the withdrawals are too unpleasant or severe. Therefore, they continue to drink to keep the withdrawals at bay, and the cycle continues.

Usually, it is only when their continued drinking becomes more painful than the prospect of going through the pain of alcohol withdrawal, will they finally reach out for help. But it doesn’t have to be that way. Help is available.

What Helps With Alcohol Withdrawal?

Impact of Being a Functional Alcoholic

While a person who is high-functioning alcohol can still fulfill their obligations in many areas of life, that does not mean that their drinking does not take a toll on their health, relationships, career, and well-being.

In the short term, alcohol use increases the risk for alcohol poisoning, fetal alcohol syndrome, accidents, injuries, violence, and risky sexual behavior.

Alcohol intake also has long-term consequences, including an increased risk of:

In addition to the health effects of having an alcohol use disorder, it can also take a toll on relationships. Drinking doesn’t just affect the individual; it affects the entire family unit.

Family members may feel on edge and worried about their loved ones drinking. They may take steps to avoid the person while they are drinking, or they may experience feelings of guilt, shame, or self-blame.

Coping With a Functional Alcoholic

If you are concerned about your loved one’s drinking, it can be helpful to join a support group such as Al-Anon. Such groups can offer valuable support, encouragement, advice, and information.

While a functional alcoholic can still function in daily life, family members and loved ones are often aware and concerned about the individual’s alcohol use. Some steps you can take to help include:

Getting Help As a Functional Alcoholic

If you are having only mild to moderate withdrawal symptoms, your healthcare provider may recommend outpatient treatment, including medical detoxification that provides medication, vitamins, and diet to help ease the withdrawal process.

Your provider can also perform tests to see if you have developed any medical concerns from alcohol misuse and recommend counseling, rehabilitation, and support groups likeAlcoholics AnonymousorSMART Recovery.

10 SourcesVerywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism.When it comes to reducing alcohol-related stigma, word matter.National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism.The cycle of alcohol addiction.National Institute of Health.Researchers Identify Alcoholism Subtypes.National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism.Alcohol use disorder.National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism.Alcohol and tolerance. 1995; 28:356.Mirijello A, D’Angelo C, Ferrulli A, et al.Identification and management of alcohol withdrawal syndrome.Drugs.2015;75(4):353-65. doi:10.1007/s40265-015-0358-1Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Alcohol use and your health.National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism.Treatment for alcohol problems: Finding and getting help.Hellum R, Nielsen AS, Bischof G, et al.Community reinforcement and family training (CRAFT) - design of a cluster randomized controlled trial comparing individual, group and self-help interventions.BMC Public Health. 2019;19(1):307. doi:10.1186/s12889-019-6632-5National Institute on Aging.How to help someone you know with a drinking problem.

10 Sources

Verywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism.When it comes to reducing alcohol-related stigma, word matter.National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism.The cycle of alcohol addiction.National Institute of Health.Researchers Identify Alcoholism Subtypes.National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism.Alcohol use disorder.National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism.Alcohol and tolerance. 1995; 28:356.Mirijello A, D’Angelo C, Ferrulli A, et al.Identification and management of alcohol withdrawal syndrome.Drugs.2015;75(4):353-65. doi:10.1007/s40265-015-0358-1Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Alcohol use and your health.National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism.Treatment for alcohol problems: Finding and getting help.Hellum R, Nielsen AS, Bischof G, et al.Community reinforcement and family training (CRAFT) - design of a cluster randomized controlled trial comparing individual, group and self-help interventions.BMC Public Health. 2019;19(1):307. doi:10.1186/s12889-019-6632-5National Institute on Aging.How to help someone you know with a drinking problem.

National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism.When it comes to reducing alcohol-related stigma, word matter.National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism.The cycle of alcohol addiction.National Institute of Health.Researchers Identify Alcoholism Subtypes.National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism.Alcohol use disorder.National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism.Alcohol and tolerance. 1995; 28:356.Mirijello A, D’Angelo C, Ferrulli A, et al.Identification and management of alcohol withdrawal syndrome.Drugs.2015;75(4):353-65. doi:10.1007/s40265-015-0358-1Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Alcohol use and your health.National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism.Treatment for alcohol problems: Finding and getting help.Hellum R, Nielsen AS, Bischof G, et al.Community reinforcement and family training (CRAFT) - design of a cluster randomized controlled trial comparing individual, group and self-help interventions.BMC Public Health. 2019;19(1):307. doi:10.1186/s12889-019-6632-5National Institute on Aging.How to help someone you know with a drinking problem.

National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism.When it comes to reducing alcohol-related stigma, word matter.

National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism.The cycle of alcohol addiction.

National Institute of Health.Researchers Identify Alcoholism Subtypes.

National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism.Alcohol use disorder.

National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism.Alcohol and tolerance. 1995; 28:356.

Mirijello A, D’Angelo C, Ferrulli A, et al.Identification and management of alcohol withdrawal syndrome.Drugs.2015;75(4):353-65. doi:10.1007/s40265-015-0358-1

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Alcohol use and your health.

National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism.Treatment for alcohol problems: Finding and getting help.

Hellum R, Nielsen AS, Bischof G, et al.Community reinforcement and family training (CRAFT) - design of a cluster randomized controlled trial comparing individual, group and self-help interventions.BMC Public Health. 2019;19(1):307. doi:10.1186/s12889-019-6632-5

National Institute on Aging.How to help someone you know with a drinking problem.

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Risk Factors for Functional Alcoholics#

Recap#

Signs of a Functional Alcoholic#

Denial#

Tolerance#

Withdrawal#

Impact of Being a Functional Alcoholic#

Coping With a Functional Alcoholic#

Getting Help As a Functional Alcoholic#