Whats A Functioning Alcoholic

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What Is A Functioning Alcoholic

If you or a loved one seems to be struggling with heavy drinking, you may be wondering: “What is a functioning alcoholic?” This is an important question, because sometimes, functioning alcoholics believe they do not need rehab or treatment for alcohol abuse, because they are still generally doing well in life.

Even if someone is technically a functioning alcoholic, they are still at risk of negative consequences from alcohol abuse, so treatment is important to help them recover.

Understanding the signs of functioning alcoholics can help you to determine whether you or someone in your life might be in need of treatment for alcohol abuse.

Signs Of What Is A Functioning Alcoholic

In general, a functioning alcoholic is someone who abuses alcohol and places their health at risk, but is still able to maintain relationships, keep a steady job, and pay bills. A functioning alcoholic may even be quite successful, which is beneficial on the one hand, but on the other hand, can lead people to mistakenly believe there is no problem.

To understand the definition of a functioning alcoholic, it is helpful to know what alcohol abuse looks like.

According to the National Institutes of Health, moderate alcohol consumption, defined as up to one drink per day for women and two drinks per day for men, is safe and appropriate. Binge drinking, which involves four or more drinks in one sitting for women and five or more drinks for men, constitutes alcohol abuse and can lead to an alcohol addiction.

The government defines heavy alcohol use as binge drinking at least five times per month. Given this fact, someone who goes out drinking once or twice every weekend and has a little too much to drink may meet the criteria for an alcohol addiction, but still be able to go to work on Monday morning, keep up with bills, and fulfill the duties expected of a spouse and parent.

Signs Of A Functioning Alcoholic Based on Diagnostic Criteria

Another part of understanding what functioning alcoholism is knowing the diagnostic criteria for an alcohol addiction. As the National Institutes of Health explains, an alcohol use disorder is the clinical term for an alcohol addiction, and when someone has an alcohol use disorder, they lose control over drinking and will continue to drink, despite negative consequences. For example, someone with an alcohol use disorder may continue to drink, even when it causes or worsens a health condition or makes it difficult to fulfill duties at work or home. Other signs of an alcohol use disorder include having strong cravings for alcohol, drinking larger amounts than intended, or spending a significant amount of time drinking. Someone with an alcohol use disorder may also develop a tolerance for alcohol, so that greater quantities are needed to achieve the same effects. Another fact about an alcohol use disorder is that a person can be classified as having a mild, moderate, or severe disorder.

Someone who meets only a few diagnostic criteria may be labeled as a functioning alcoholic. For instance, the answer to what is a functioning alcoholic could be that it is someone who meets some diagnostic criteria, placing them in the mild to moderate range for an alcohol use disorder, but still manages to function. Someone who is a functioning alcoholic may have a tolerance for alcohol and may drink larger amounts than intended, but since they are functioning, they do not show symptoms like continuing to drink even when it causes difficulty fulfilling duties at work or home.

Does A Functioning Alcoholic Need Rehab?

Some people may think that a functioning alcoholic does not need rehab, because they are still able to maintain jobs and relationships and care for their families. While they may technically be functioning in daily life, functioning alcoholics do, by definition, abuse alcohol, and as such, they meet some diagnostic criteria for alcohol use disorder.

For instance, someone who binge drinks once or twice per weekend likely has a tolerance for alcohol, drinks larger amounts than intended, and may place themselves in danger because of alcohol abuse. A functioning alcoholic who shows the aforementioned symptoms would at least meet the criteria for a mild alcohol use disorder, which is still considered a medical condition.

Rehab can help people to overcome alcohol abuse and reduce their likelihood of suffering from serious consequences from drinking. Entering a rehab program when an alcohol use disorder is still mild can also prevent a person’s alcoholism from becoming worse. Given the fact that functioning alcoholics are likely to have stable housing and steady jobs, they may be able to complete alcohol rehab on an outpatient basis, but the best treatment plan will vary based upon each person’s unique needs.

Other Considerations for Functioning Alcoholics

The best course of treatment for alcohol addiction will vary based upon a person’s individual situation, and one consideration is whether a person also has a mental health condition. According to the National Institutes of Health, alcohol can affect the brain in ways that create psychiatric symptoms. In some cases, a person may develop temporary psychiatric symptoms or mood disturbances because of alcohol abuse, and in other cases, they may have a mental illness, such as depression, that occurs alongside alcohol addiction.

If a person has both an alcohol addiction and a mental illness, they are considered to have a dual diagnosis. What this means is that they will need to receive treatment from a dual-diagnosis rehab that is qualified to treat both addiction and mental illness. If underlying mental illness is not treated, a person may continue to drink in order to cope with mental health symptoms. This is why dual-diagnosis treatment is so important.

California Alcohol Rehab

If you or a loved one is seeking California alcohol rehab, Resurgence is located in Orange County and is a premier dual-diagnosis rehab. We are qualified to treat alcohol addiction as well as co-occurring mental health conditions, and we offer a thorough psychological evaluation to everyone who comes through our doors. We also pride ourselves upon creating an individualized treatment plan for each person, to ensure that their rehab program is tailored to their specific situation.

We offer a range of services, including detox, inpatient care, and outpatient rehab. Those who enroll in our inpatient services will complete their rehab journey in a home-like setting, with close access to area amenities like beaches, waterfalls, outdoor shopping, and pools. During a stay at Resurgence, our patients receive a variety of treatments, including individual and group therapy, educational workshops, therapeutic outings, and yoga and meditation sessions.

Free Insurance Verification for Rehab

Paying for California Alcohol Rehab

People may think that alcohol rehab is unaffordable, but at Resurgence California, we do not want finances to stop you or our loved one from getting treatment for alcoholism.

We offer a free insurance verification program to help you determine what services your insurance plan covers.

Simply stop by our website or give us a call, and one of our team members will be able to tell you how much you can expect to pay under your insurance plan.

If you do not have insurance, we will work with you to develop a private payment plan.

If you are asking the question, “What is a functioning alcoholic?” you likely recognize that there may be a problem.

Now is the time to reach out and make the changes necessary to live a life that is free from the grips of alcohol addiction.

Sources:

1) https://www.niaaa.nih.gov/alcohol-health/overview-alcohol-consumption/moderate-binge-drinking
2) https://www.niaaa.nih.gov/alcohols-effects-health/alcohol-use-disorder
3) https://pubs.niaaa.nih.gov/publications/arh26-2/90-98.htm