What is the difference between a functioning alcoholic and an alcoholic

This means that over time an individual will build a physiological tolerance to alcohol, resulting in them needing more of the substance over time to produce the same desired effect. Delay of treatment coupled with progression of alcohol abuse can result in more damage being done over an extended period of time, especially to relationships and their physical and mental health. They are excelling in their careers, taking care of their children, connecting with their spouse, etc.

While the consequences of their alcohol use may not be so apparent at the time, there is bound to be some area of their life that is indeed being impacted now or that will be impacted in the future. For example, interior physical damage caused by alcohol to the liver, pancreas, heart, and brain are often left unnoticed until it may be too late.

Or maybe an individual spent a night out drinking when they had to be up early the next day for work and woke up hungover and were unable to perform at their optimal potential that day, or perhaps they called off work all-together. So how and when does one know if they or a loved one has a problem with alcohol.

The term alcoholic is by nature very degrading and stigmatizing. Although some individuals in recovery find value in admitting that they are an alcoholic, it is something that many find difficulty in coming to terms with.

Suggesting that one is alcoholic is suggestive that one fits into a one-size-fits-all demographic, which stereotypically conjures up images of a low-functioning individual. The truth is that alcoholism is not a one-size-fits-all epidemic, and it looks different for every individual.

Mental health professionals and addiction clinicians prefer to use the term alcohol abuse than alcoholism. Clinically, for an individual to be diagnosed with alcohol abuse disorder they must meet certain criteria, or in other words, they must display certain symptoms. Furthermore, alcohol use disorder is classified by severity as mild the individual meets 2 or 3 of 11 criteria , moderate 4 or 5 of 11 criteria , or severe 6 or more of 11 criteria.

Furthermore, alcohol abuse may look different for different individuals. For example, some individuals may be a daily drinker while others may binge drink on weekends. Both cases can be problematic if the individual displays adverse symptoms. There is a difference between someone who drinks too much alcohol from time to time and someone who has a clinical diagnosis of alcohol use disorder.

While it is never appropriate to self-diagnose or to diagnose a loved one if you are not a mental health professional, there are certain questions you may ask which may indicate that there is a problem that a professional should look into further. We often say that if you believe there is a problem, there is likely a problem. And many of them go to great lengths to hide their alcoholism and never appear drunk.

A functioning alcoholic is the most successful at keeping his or her alcohol abuse under wraps. Read on to learn more about the difference between an alcoholic and a functioning alcohol and how The Ranch TN can help with treatment.

A functioning alcoholic consumes far more alcohol than doctors recommended. Having a few glasses of wine every evening to relax may seem more sophisticated than binge drinking beer at a bar. However, in terms of the amount of alcohol consumed, there is little difference. Functional alcoholics might not get drunk very easily.

In fact, it is a sign of tolerance to alcohol, which is a giant red flag for addiction. A functioning alcoholic may reach the point of feeling anxious if something interrupts his or her usual drinking routine. These cravings are another sign of addiction. But the problems may build slowly. They have never been arrested. They tell themselves that don't have a problem.

Listen for excuses:. A functional alcoholic often consumes as much alcohol as someone with an alcohol use disorder. However, they will not exhibit outward symptoms of intoxication. This is because they have developed a tolerance for alcohol to the point that it takes more for them to feel the effects including hangovers. Consequently, they must drink increasingly larger amounts to get the same "buzz" they want.

This slow build-up of alcohol tolerance means the functional alcoholic is drinking at dangerous levels that can result in:. Chronic heavy drinkers can display a functional tolerance to the point they show few obvious signs of intoxication even at high blood alcohol concentrations, which in others would be incapacitating.

Unfortunately, even when functional alcoholics begin to recognize that they have a drinking problem, they still resist reaching out for help. By the time they admit the problem, their withdrawal symptoms—which can begin within a few hours after their last drink—can become more and more severe. Symptoms of alcohol withdrawal include:.

They may try to quit on their own, but the withdrawals are too unpleasant or severe. Therefore, they continue to drink to keep the withdrawals at bay and the cycle continues. Usually, it is only when their continued drinking becomes more painful than the prospect of going through the pain of alcohol withdrawal, will they finally reach out for help. But it doesn't have to be that way.

Help is available. If you are having only mild to moderate withdrawal symptoms, your healthcare provider may recommend outpatient treatment, including medical detoxification that provides medication, vitamins, and diet to help ease the withdrawal process.

Your provider can also perform tests to see if you have developed any medical concerns from alcohol misuse and recommend counseling, rehabilitation, and support groups like Alcoholics Anonymous or SMART Recovery. For more mental health resources, see our National Helpline Database.

Learn the best ways to manage stress and negativity in your life. National Institute of Health. Researchers Identify Alcoholism Subtypes. National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism. Alcohol and tolerance. Updated