The high functioning
alcoholic
You may
or not be aware of these people around you. Reading and digesting this article
will not only make you aware but empower you as to what actions if necessary
you need to take. They are family, friends, co-workers or even acquaintances. These individuals, of either gender, struggle
with problem drinking, heavy drinking, or constantly crave for alcohol. A functional
alcoholic is defined by people who
have a dependence on, tolerance to, and intense cravings for alcohol, but who can they still maintain a job,
complete school, and have apparently healthy relationships. Despite the outward appearance of having
everything together, they have problems with drinking. Because they succeed in
society, high-functioning alcoholics are often very deeply in denial that they
have a problem. It is not until their health begins to suffer, they experience
major life issues (such as issues at work
or damaged relationships), or they reach an emotional tipping point that
they realize how bad their situation has become.
My Take
The death of my uncle from the twin
evils of lung cancer and alcoholism … specifically, forced my view of the world
and my sense of responsibility to take a dramatic turn. I now know he was a
high functioning alcoholic for a long time. His occupation as a taxi driver for
many years and his involvement in many projects belied a widespread belief he
could cope. I had already accepted my uncle’s debilitation and had watched
through the years as he experienced both prejudice and acceptance related to
his addiction. His wife over the years had played the dual role of chastiser
and supporter. During his numerous stays at various hospitals, she was known to
smuggle alcohol and cigarettes to him. Despite been caught and banned, she
would direct her children and other family members to do her bidding. At the
time I never understood the concept of dysfunction and wondered aloud why she
‘hated’ him and wanted him dead. The truth is they loved one another and giving
him what he wanted was her own way of showing she cared. She could not bear to
see him miserable whatever the risk, even death. The whole family ‘bought’ into
the notion of what I would call appeasement. The extended family, especially my
father, was angry at this ‘suicide’ mission. There was a lot of disquiet with
families pitted against one another. Unfortunately, the source of his addiction
is unknown. His family was all guilty of some form codependence whether
willingly or coerced. There was also compulsion on the part of the family to
maintain their homeostasis regardless of the location. Emotional issues were
raised in conflict from intervening families who disagreed with the sabotage of
the treatment process. This deep
experience has enabled me to recognize the adversity that accompanies the good
in life. But most importantly it made me the professional that I am today. With
compassion comes an even greater responsibility. LUKE 12.48 tells us “TO WHOM MUCH IS GIVEN, OF HIM MUCH IS REQUIRED”.
I have been opportune to be a social worker and have helped in the treatment of
addiction. I feel blessed and I can see people from two vantage points; theirs
and mine.
Signs of a functioning alcoholic
Consuming alcohol to cope: Alcohol should never be used as a means for
coping with emotions or stressful situation. When an individual has
their drinking habits under control, they may drink a couple of drinks once or
twice a week with family or friends. In contrast, drinking can begin to get out
of control when alcohol is used to reduce the stress of work, to feel happy
after feeling depressed, or to reduce anxiety about a relationship. Drinking
alone: This is perhaps one of the clearest signs of a
high-functioning alcoholic. One of the major signs of a high-functioning
alcoholic is when drinking is done alone, sometimes even in secret. Drinking
too much too often: there is
an objective measure for what consists of “heavy drinking” – that is, drinking
too much on a daily or weekly basis. Building alcoholic tolerance: Consistently finishing off a bottle of wine
after it is opened is not only a sign of high-functioning alcoholism but also
builds up your tolerance for alcohol, creating a cycle of dependence. Functional
alcoholics may seem to be able to keep control once they have been drinking,
but it can be difficult to exercise the same control after going too long
without a drink. For alcoholics, withdrawal can look like anything from feeling
depressed or anxious, increasing irritability, or feeling nauseous or tired for
an extended period of time.
Treatment
The good news, is, there is hope. Alcoholism is a
remediable disorder
with the right kind of treatment. The treatment for a high-functioning
alcoholic is making an appointment with the doctor about getting help. There
will be a referral to a therapist, psychiatrist,
or other addiction
specialist. The most in-depth care allows you to live full time at a treatment
facility. Also, a support group i.e. relating to other people with substance
abuse issues needing assistance may help one break through denial and
begin to recover.
Reference
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