Since many people view drinking alcohol as a social activity, it can sometimes be difficult to identify when it goes from just being social to a major problem. While many people believe that an alcoholic is someone who drinks every day, has serious financial issues and has possibly lost their job or family, a functioning alcoholic is still an alcoholic.
The truth is that anyone can develop a drinking problem by abusing alcohol and not being able to control their intake. People who are functioning alcoholics may lead seemingly normal lives because they spend all of their time at work or socializing, but they are still drinking heavily.
Although many people view alcoholism as a self-inflicted disease, it is not something that anyone wants to suffer through. Alcoholics need help in order for them to stop drinking and take their life back.
Are you or someone you love a functioning alcoholic? If so, call us today at 866.262.0531 for help with alcohol abuse.
Habits of a Functioning Alcoholic
What does it mean when someone is a functioning alcoholic? These types may not present themselves as the stereotypical alcoholic. They often hold down good jobs and their lives seem fine. Sometimes, only close family members and friends know there’s a drinking problem.
People who are functioning alcoholics may work as a doctor, a teacher or a lawyer just to name a few. Functioning alcoholics drink every day and will tend to deny the fact that there is anything wrong with their drinking habits. Many people have a problem with labeling a person as an alcoholic because they believe that it could never happen to them.
Typical signs and habits of a functional alcoholic include:
- Routinely drinking to relieve stress
- Needing alcohol to feel confident
- Spending a lot of time drinking alone
- Hiding their drinking
- Getting drunk even when they don’t intend to
- Denying or getting angry when confronted about their drinking
- Inability to control the amount they drink once they start
It’s not always easy to recognize if you’re a functioning alcoholic. People struggling with alcohol addiction are often in denial about how it affects their lives. Because you’re able to get up every day and go to work, you may feel you don’t have a problem. In some cases, family and friends may enable you by either encouraging you to drink or ignoring the negative consequences that result from your drinking.
Problems You May Encounter
The longer you deny your addiction, the more serious your issues may become. If you continue on this path, you may end up suffering health problems. When people are suffering from advanced alcoholism, their livers become damaged and the sudden onset of alcohol withdrawal can cause seizures or death.
It’s not just your physical health that suffers. Your relationships with family and friends can suffer as well. The more entrenched you become in addiction, the more you find yourself planning your days and activities around alcohol. Instead of drinking as a recreational activity, it can slowly become the only part of your day you look forward to.
An Alcohol Rehab Center in Portland Can Help
Instead of battling addiction on your own, consider addiction treatment programs that can help you beat the problem.
Crestview Recovery offers:
- A scenic location in the Pacific Northwest
- Individual, group and family therapy
- outpatient rehab programs
- Partial hospitalization programs
- Intensive outpatient programs
- 90-Day Extended care treatment
- Aftercare
We’ll help you learn how to enjoy life while sober. You can enjoy your life without the influence of drugs and alcohol. Additionally, we understand that everyone is different, so we’ll tailor your treatment with our master level therapists to your unique needs.
You no longer have to let addiction control you. Start your recovery with one of our off-site alcohol detox partners. Then, let our quality drug and alcohol rehab programs will help you overcome your addiction. Call 866.262.0531 today to get on the road to recovery and reclaim your future.
Since 2016, Dr. Merle Williamson, a graduate of Oregon Health Sciences University, has been the Medical Director at Crestview Recovery, bringing a rich background in addiction medicine from his time at Hazelden Treatment Center. He oversees outpatient drug and alcohol treatments, providing medical care, setting policies, detox protocols, and quality assurance measures. Before specializing in addiction medicine, he spent 25 years in anesthesiology, serving as Chair of Hospital Pharmacy and Therapeutics Committee and Chief of Anesthesia at Kaiser Permanente. This experience gives him a unique perspective on treating prescription drug addiction.
