Signs That Someone is a High-Functioning Alcoholic and How To Get Them Help

After drinking alcohol, people are affected in different ways. Some people can go out with their friends, enjoy a glass of wine during happy hour, and go home to their families and live a normal life. Others abuse alcohol so frequently and in such large volumes that they are clearly intoxicated on most days, struggle to maintain employment, and have toxic relationships in their lives. These individuals are usually what people think of when they think about the typical alcoholic. However, there is another type of drinker who can drink just as much and as just as often, while still functioning at work, school, and home. This drinker may be referred to as a high-functioning alcoholic.

What is a High-Functioning Alcoholic?

Functioning alcoholics are those people who seem normal on the outside but are struggling with crippling alcohol abuse on the inside. These individuals are often middle-aged, highly educated, well-off financially, and able to maintain a successful career and home.

Since they are not battling financial instability, isolation, or legal issues, they generally don’t fit into the stereotype of an alcoholic. Functional alcoholics may also be less likely to seek treatment because they don’t experience the same struggles and consequences that average alcoholics do.

Signs and Symptoms of a Functioning Alcoholic

Since a high-functioning alcoholic is unlikely to seek alcohol rehab on their own, it is important for families and friends to understand how to spot the signs of alcoholism – even the most subtle ones. The first, and most obvious sign, is frequent heavy drinking.

According to the CDC, heavy drinking is defined as 8 or more drinks per week for women or 15 or more drinks per week for men. If someone drinks more than this, he or she may be at risk of developing an alcohol use disorder (AUD). However, functional alcoholics are often good at hiding their drinking or they have a high tolerance. They may be able to drink a lot in one sitting without appearing intoxicated. This can lead the people around him or her to think this person doesn’t have a problem when in all reality, the amount they are drinking is problematic in itself.

• Making jokes about having a drinking problem
• Declining performance at work or school
• Appearing jittery or angry when events run longer than they are supposed to because it means the person isn’t able to drink
• Needing to drink before going to work, school, or home
• Wanting to stop drinking but being unable to do so
• Trying to stop drinking on multiple occasions but being unsuccessful
• Experiencing withdrawal symptoms when not drinking
• Feeling the need to drink more after returning home from the bar or from dinner
• Needing a drink every day to get through work or school
• Hiding alcohol or empty bottles in one’s car or around the house
• Getting angry or defensive when confronted about alcohol use
• Drinking early in the day or before certain events
• Making up excuses to deny a drinking problem and justify alcohol abuse
• Experiencing worsening anxiety and depression due to drinking

A functioning alcoholic may appear healthy, happy, and successful, but they are usually battling a number of demons on the inside that need professional treatment.

Understanding The Power of Denial

When someone is unwilling to admit they have a problem and are in need of help, the next logical step is to consult with a professional drug and alcohol interventionist. An interventionist can help families stage an intervention that shines a bright light on just how dangerous a person’s drinking patterns have become.

Alcoholism isn’t all about drinking, either. People often abuse alcohol to cope with difficult emotions or an underlying health condition. It is essential to healing that people struggling with alcoholism get to the root of their problem. A drug and alcohol counselor can evaluate the functioning alcoholic and determine what his or her treatment needs are. This allows the person to obtain highly individualized care that meets his or her specific needs.

Alcohol interventions should never be attempted without the help of an addiction professional. Attempting to intervene without professional help may lead to failure as the subject may become defensive, angry, or upset due to a fierce sense of denial. Instead, our Massachusetts addiction specialists are here to help.

Start Alcohol Rehab in Woburn, Massachusetts Today

You do not have to reach a personal crisis or lose everything to benefit from professional addiction treatment. Alcohol use disorders affect individuals at many different stages of life, and help is available as soon as drinking begins to interfere with health, relationships, or daily functioning. At Woburn Addiction Treatment, our experienced clinicians provide compassionate care for individuals across the full spectrum of alcohol dependence, including those who may still appear high functioning.

Rehabilitation for alcoholism is tailored to address both the physical and psychological aspects of alcohol use. Treatment often includes relapse prevention planning, individual and group therapy, exploration of family dynamics, and practical life skills development. When combined with peer support and structured clinical care, these services help individuals build insight, strengthen coping strategies, and support long term recovery.

If you would like to learn more about our rehabilitation for alcoholism or explore treatment options for yourself or a loved one, contact Woburn Addiction Treatment today to speak with a knowledgeable admissions professional.

You can begin by contacting your insurance provider to confirm which treatment facilities are in network with your plan. Our admissions counselors are also available to verify insurance coverage and help guide you through the next steps toward care.