The stereotypical image of an alcoholic is somebody who always consumes too much alcohol, and whose life is a mess because of it. However, that is not the only picture. There are two broad categories of alcoholism: an individual who struggles to live a normal life due to booze addiction, and a functioning alcoholic. The fact is that some people appear to be just fine despite regularly abusing alcohol.
Statistically, for women, it is having more than three drinks in a day or seven a week. Alternatively, for their male counterparts, it is more than four per day or 14 a week.
If you are drinking more than the daily or weekly limit, you are at risk. Therefore, you can have a fantastic outside life, with a well-paying job, home, family, social circle, and still be a functioning alcoholic.
The Warning Signs of a Functioning Alcoholic
- The individual would often take alcohol instead of food.
- They will rarely get a hangover because alcohol is constantly in the blood of an alcoholic.
- Psychologically, a functioning alcoholic depends on alcohol and gets irritated upon its unavailability.
- Excessive consumption.
- Suffering from memory loss and weak brain function, as alcohol considerably affects the nervous system.
- The denial of reality.
- Senseless justifications of abusing alcohol.
- Hiding alcohol.
- Changed Behavior.
Coping Mechanisms
If the behavioral and health consequences of your functioning alcoholic friend have become overwhelming, and he or she is refusing to seek appropriate help, it is time to plan an intervention.
An intervention is a planned, systemized meeting in which the concerned parties confront the alcohol-addict about his or her erratic behavior. The objectives of intervention are:
- Getting the functioning alcoholic to see how drinking is damaging every relationship he or she ever made.
- Counseling the alcoholic with an action plan for recovery.
- Suggesting consequences, if the alcoholic refuses for a treatment.
- Assisting the functioning alcoholic to take proper steps towards an inpatient alcohol detox center.
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