When a person thinks about alcoholism and those who are caught up in alcohol abuse, a lot of the time, the scenes that are painted in their mind are bold and dramatic. Images of people who are destitute with no money, no work, and separated from their families come to someone’s mind. There are more drastic images that can come to mind such as poor health, living in the streets, jail, institutions and sometimes even death.

These outcomes can definitely occur because of alcoholism, although the definition of alcoholism itself isn’t so cut and dry. Alcoholism can be seen as existing like a revolving door and there can be those who struggle with alcohol abuse but appear to have it together on the surface.

Even though some alcoholics appear to be doing the right things, like working, taking care of their home, families, as well as taking their kids to school, attending different activities. However, there are things that aren’t adding up. You may notice that your friend or co-worker can’t seem to go a day without hitting up the happy hour after work. You may notice they seem to be preoccupied and talk about alcohol almost non-stop. No matter what the social or family function may be, they are always with a drink in hand. You might notice they are “sick” the same day each week, or something similar.

If you are noticing these signs (or many other), there is a chance that your friend may be a high-functioning alcoholic. The high-functioning alcoholic doesn’t fit neatly within the set stereotypes of a drunk. They are successful, well-adjusted and happy, but just beneath those first impressions they are waging a private struggle with alcohol, and they may be walking on the slimmest of threads.

The following are some of the most common symptoms seen in the alcoholic.

A Change in Friends

Much like others who struggle with alcohol or other drugs, the high-functioning alcoholic’s circle of friends may change. They may surround themselves with people who drink on a regular basis and will attend events in which alcohol is front and center. The high-functioning alcoholic may pride themselves on the fact they don’t drink during the day or don’t show up to work or family functions drunk, but in any social situation where there is alcohol present they are right in the middle of the action.

Alcohol Seems to Always Be On Their Mind

Some high-functioning alcoholics have a healthy obsession on when and where they are going to have their next drink. While at work, they may be counting down the hours and minutes until the work day is over and they can hit happy hour or get home and make a beeline to the liquor cabinet. They might tell others to “have a drink and relax.” They might have a cocktail with lunch, or even AS lunch.
Additionally, those who are high-functioning alcoholics may know in their mind how much they can actually drink before they appear drunk to others.

They Can’t Stop At Just One Drink

Another symptom that the high-functioning alcoholic displays is the fact they don’t have the capacity to stop after just one drink. You may often see them refuse drinks in a social situation, but they are more than likely waiting to get home where they can continue drinking without further scrutiny.

If they do have a drink, chances are pretty good  they won’t stop until the night is done. The high-functioning alcoholic is a pro at hiding their problem and will deny they even have a problem.

Guilt and Shame

For those who are high-functioning alcoholics, they will feel tremendous guilt and shame if their alcoholic behaviors become noticeable to others. They go to great lengths to conceal their issues, and when they act inappropriately as a result of drinking they feel remorseful. While this guilt and shame should provide the impetus for the high-functioning alcoholic to take a deeper look into themselves, they will instead try even harder to mask their issues with alcohol.

Living Two Lives

The high-functioning alcoholic is the master of compartmentalizing their life. On the one hand, they have their everyday normal life in which they are the model employee, spouse and parent. On the other hand, they have their drinking life where they can be a completely different person. They go to great lengths to ensure these two lives don’t intersect.

They Try to Quit On Their Own and Are Unsuccessful

Like others who struggle with alcohol dependence and abuse, the high-functioning alcoholic has more than likely made several attempts to quit drinking on their own. Left to their own devices, they return to drinking after a short period and they basically pick up where they left off.

Even though the fact they are contemplating quitting alcohol triggers at least some form of deeper thinking into their issues, the high-functioning alcoholic will continue to drink and rationalize their drinking by pointing out that it hasn’t affected their personal or professional life.

If you think a family member, friend or loved one has a problem, please don’t wait to see if it works itself out. It can be a matter of life or death…to them or someone else that has contact with them. I implore you to jump into some kind of action.