To many people, the term “alcoholic” describes an unreliable, disheveled person who’s possibly lost a job and family. However, a functioning alcoholic can maintain the appearance of a normal person. Often, only close family members and friends will know there’s a problem.

Signs of a Functioning Alcoholic

How can you identify a functioning, or functional, alcoholic? People with alcoholism usually exhibit signs like:

  • Being unable to stop at one or two drinks
  • Getting angry and defensive when confronted about their drinking
  • Having to drink more alcohol to experience the same “high” over time
  • Planning days or vacations around drinking
  • Having marital or relationship problems due to the addiction
  • Expressing a “need” for alcohol to relax or unwind

How Functional Alcoholics Hide the Problem

People who fall into the functioning alcoholic category often hold down good jobs and seem to have a happy family life. Because of this, casual acquaintances usually won’t know when a person has a problem. Even though a high-functioning alcoholic may not drink every day, they make up for it when they start drinking. They drink heavily, sometimes to the point of blacking out or not remembering what they did or said under the influence of alcohol.

Whether someone drinks heavily every day or not, social drinking can quickly turn into alcohol abuse and addiction. When people try to hide how much they drink or feel irritable if they can’t have alcohol, this signifies a real problem. Alcohol addiction can have serious consequences, such as crumbling relationships and health issues.

Keep in mind that a functioning alcoholic is still an alcoholic—he or she may just be able to hide the problem better. If this sounds like you or someone you love, alcoholism treatment can be the key to achieving lasting sobriety.

We’re Here to Help

Maybe you’ve recognized you need help for your drinking or you have a loved one who does. At Ashley Addiction Treatment in Havre de Grace, Maryland, our facility helps people of all ages, and we offer treatment programs designed to work for your unique needs.

We provide an environment focused on innovative, integrated, and holistic care. We offer amenities such as yoga, massage, 24-hour food access, laundry service and more. Our facility also offers:

Alcohol addiction doesn’t have to control your life any longer. With assistance from the right rehab facility, you can beat your addiction for good. Ashley Addiction Treatment is ready to put you on the path to recovery. Call us today at 866-313-6307.