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What is a Functional Alcoholic?

what is a functional alcoholic

Defining a Functional Alcoholic: Understanding the Basics

You may have heard the term “functioning alcoholic” before, as it is a condition that affects millions of people throughout the US every year. The following article will answer the question “What is a functional alcoholic?” while providing more clarity on how alcohol use disorder can impact a person’s health, family, workplace, and overall well-being.

Functional alcoholism is a term that is used to describe the condition of being dependent on alcohol while being able to live a relatively normal life. Many people with alcohol use disorder do not behave in the stereotypical ways they have been depicted in the media, hiccupping, and falling in the streets. You may be in the presence of somebody with an alcohol use disorder daily, without noticing. They have good jobs and happy families, they are fit, they pay bills on time, attend school functions for their kids, and are well-liked, with a good group of close friends. This façade may hold up for months or even years, but eventually, the addiction will take over, and cracks will begin to appear.

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Recognizing the Signs of Functional Alcoholism

It can be hard to see the functional alcoholic signs at first, as functional alcoholism and social life are often conflated. They may just seem to know how to have a good time when drinking publicly, but for the most part, the drinking happens in secret. Common signs of functional alcoholism include:

  1. A high tolerance (they can ingest a significant amount of alcohol without showing signs of intoxication)
  2. Blacking out from drinking (forgetting what happened)
  3. Losing friendships or having relationship issues due to drinking, but continuing to drink anyway
  4. Experiencing health problems due to drinking
  5. Behavioral Patterns of a Functional Alcoholic

Common Functional Alcoholic Behavior patterns include:

  1. Avoiding any criticism or input about their drinking
  2. Drinking before or after an event to hide the amount being ingested
  3. Drinking alcohol in the morning, or when alone
  4. Lying to themselves and others about how much they are drinking, or how strong the drinks are
  5. Denying that there is an issue, because of the lack of serious consequences
  6. Drinking as a reward, or to relax and cope with stress
  7. Constantly planning the next drink
  8. Keeping alcohol around the office, the house, or on their person

The Impact on Family Dynamics: Living with a Functional Alcoholic

Close family members are almost always affected by a loved one’s substance use disorder. Family dynamics with a functional alcoholic can be unpredictable, stressful, and even frightening, especially to children. 

signs of functional alcoholic, Common Functional Alcoholic Behavior patterns

The odds of domestic violence and child abuse skyrocket when one or both partners in a relationship are using alcohol. Even in less extreme cases, individuals who drink often create an environment with higher levels of conflict, miscommunications, and neglect, affecting children’s ability to develop healthily. 

Families may also experience:

  • Financial hardship
  • Legal problems
  • Emotional distress and instability in the home
  • Internal conflicts about enablement and codependency

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Individualized treatment programs delivered in a comfortable, relaxed setting promote healing in your recovery journey.

Navigating Workplace Challenges with a Functional Alcoholic

Drinking in the workplace is a common occurrence when a person is hiding a substance use disorder. They need to work to earn a living but cannot stop drinking for the full 8+ hours they are on the clock without experiencing withdrawal symptoms.

For those needing to navigate workplace challenges with a functional alcoholic, it can be difficult. Workplace safety is paramount, and in some cases, mixing alcohol into a job site could be disastrous. Some signs to look for include:

  • Frequent tardiness or unexplained absences from work
  • Frequent “emergencies” they have to take care of away from work
  • Excessive sick leave use
  • Patterns of absences that correspond with weekends or paydays
  • Missed deadlines or quotas not being met
  • Submitting sloppy or careless work
  • Having strained relationships with coworkers
  • Having an argumentative or short-tempered attitude

While a work supervisor is not in charge of diagnosing a person’s alcohol use disorder, they must still monitor the employee’s conduct, decide whether to take disciplinary action, provide medical leave or time off, or refer the employee to an Employee Assistance Program (EAP).

Alcohol Rehab Centers in California - A glass of alcohol sits on a bar with a bottle next to it. In the background slightly out of focus is a woman with her arm laying on the bar and her head propped up against her other arm. Because of her alcoholism she needs to enroll in an alcohol rehab center in California.

Health Risks Associated with Functional Alcoholism

Functional alcoholism and health risks are synonymous because this type of alcohol use disorder can go on for years unchecked. A person who drinks alcohol every day is at serious risk of:

  • Accidental injury
  • Violent encounters
  • Liver disease
  • Pancreatitis
  • Some forms of cancer
  • Brain damage
  • Memory loss
  • High blood pressure

With medical care and a proper rehabilitation program, these risks are lowered significantly, especially if treatment begins right away. If you or a loved one is experiencing alcohol addiction, the best course of action is to speak with a doctor or addiction specialist.

The Intersection of Functional Alcoholism and Mental Health

Functional alcoholism and mental health go hand in hand. For some people, alcohol use disorder stems from trying to cope with a mental health issue, like drinking to quell anxious feelings or to try and suppress disturbing thoughts. Alcohol use can also affect those who have an underlying mental health disorder, as it affects dopamine levels and other brain chemicals. This can change moods, and behaviors while making it more difficult to think clearly.

Because these issues are often complex and connected, a rehab program that addresses the physical and mental health of the person in a holistic treatment plan is often the best way to address functional alcoholism.

How to Help a Functioning Alcoholic?

If a person has a substance use disorder, but things still seem to be in control for the most part, it may be a good time for an early intervention. The sooner the disease is addressed, the better the likelihood will be of preventing it from becoming severe or causing long-lasting serious health problems.

The following are some strategies you can use if you are wondering how to help a functioning alcoholic, or if you believe your loved one may be drinking in secret or otherwise using alcohol in an unhealthy way:

  • Have an open discussion, using “I” statements like “I feel” or “I have noticed,” and point out how alcohol use has been affecting you, the family, and others around them. They may not have realized anybody had noticed their alcohol use.
  • Suggest a treatment program. Several types of outpatient rehabilitation programs will allow them to continue going to work and living at home, while residential rehab programs can help them step out of unhealthy routines and gain new insight into their substance use disorder.
  • Peer support groups are another helpful step toward recovery. You may want to attend a meeting with your loved one if they are willing, so they can see that they are not alone. These groups offer full support while helping those with substance use issues to address their disorder head-on.

Resurgence Behavioral Health Treatments Can Help You Address Functional Alcoholism

Resurgence Behavioral Health is a place you can come for help with addressing any substance use disorder, offering support and care that comes in many forms. Not everybody needs full-time inpatient treatment after detoxing, but some may. At Resurgence Behavioral Health, we provide in-depth assessments as we get to know each potential patient individually, to create a personalized care program that will best help you regain your wellness and heal the underlying causes of substance abuse.

From long-term inpatient treatment for those with dual diagnosis to outpatient treatment plans with support groups for functional alcoholics, we can set you up for success in a way that best suits your preferences and health needs. Please call our team today at (951) 708-7961 to get started down your road to recovery. We are available day or night to answer any questions, or to start the admittance process. 

Patients can count on high-quality amenities and comforts, friendly, non-judgmental staff, and effective, safe care with full support every step of the way. If you are looking for help with a substance use disorder, or if you know somebody who may have an addiction and want more information regarding treatment or insurance, please call us today at 855-458-0050 to speak with an expert about your options.


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David Rofofsky
David Rofofsky
After growing up in New York, David chose to get help with substance abuse in California because of the state's reputation for top-tier treatment. There, he found the treatment he needed to achieve more than nine years of recovery. He's been in the drug and alcohol addiction rehab industry for eight years and now serves as the Director of Admissions for Resurgence Behavioral Health. David remains passionate about the field because he understands how hard it is to pick up the phone and ask for help. However, once the call is made, someone's life can be saved.


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