“I’m stressed, so I need a drink,” or, “I’ve had such a hard day I need a drink,” are phrases you may hear often from a partner struggling with alcoholism. Saying these excuses to preface their drinking as if to receive validation in their excuse, means that on some level, subconsciously or not, they know they have a problem. Your partner may have even convinced you that these excuses are valid, when in fact they’re a sign someone needs high functioning alcoholic help. The treatment for a high-functioning alcoholic is the same as for any other type of addict, Benton says. Ask your doctor about getting help — whether it’s from a therapist, psychiatrist, or other addiction specialist. Organizations like the American Society of Addiction Medicine can guide you to help, too. It can lead to liver disease, pancreatitis, some forms of cancer, brain damage, serious memory loss, and high blood pressure.

Department of Health and Human Services calculated that functioning alcoholics make up almost 20% of the alcoholic population. You should not put yourself at risk, even if you feel like you need to take care of yourself. If you are distancing yourself from loved ones and are only hanging out with someone who may be an alcoholic, chances are this could also cause you to start drinking. There are a few major ways that dating a functional alcoholic can affect you that you must be aware of. Of course, having parents that are alcoholics does not mean that their children will necessarily develop a drinking problem. Alcoholism can run in families, so if your partner has a parent or parents that are alcoholics, this may be an indication that they are too.

Denial & Secrecy

Professional interventions allow family members to communicate constructively in a safe environment. Treatment for addiction takes many forms and depends on the needs of the individual. In accordance with the American Society of Addiction Medicine, we offer information on outcome-oriented treatment that adheres to an established continuum of care. In this section, you will find information and resources related to evidence-based treatment models, counseling and therapy and payment and insurance options. This website’s content is solely for residents of California or residents of the United States or Canada who have a family law matter in California.

For example, contacting the local chapter of AA to specifically find a group for partners of functional alcoholics is key. No devious implications about their drinking addiction, especially when you’re dating a functional alcoholic. So, passive-aggressive comments won’t make them suddenly deal with their issues.

Alcohol Intervention for a Non-Family Member

Before defining what a functional alcoholic is, it’s vital to understand the impact of alcoholism on the lives it touches. A functional alcoholic can drive a marriage to its breaking point, spiral a life into chaos, or ruin a career. https://ecosoberhouse.com/ Even though functional alcoholics’ lives seem to be together, the harm can happen fast or gradually. When faced with the challenges of living with a functional alcoholic spouse, we suggest seeking professional guidance.