Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsDiagnosing AUDSigns of AUDRisks and ImpactsCopingGetting HelpNext in Alcohol Use Disorder/Alcoholism GuideSigns of Alcoholism in Other People (or Yourself)
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Diagnosing AUD
Signs of AUD
Risks and Impacts
Coping
Getting Help
Next in Alcohol Use Disorder/Alcoholism Guide
The term “functioning alcoholic” is not a medical term. Instead, it is an outdated term that was used to describe a person withalcohol use disorder(AUD) who presents as though their alcohol use has no adverse impact on their life or the lives of those around them. “Functioning” is subjective and limiting when describing a person living with alcohol use disorder.
In this article, learn more about why the term “functioning alcoholic” is outdated and the impact of living with untreated alcohol use disorder.
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Do People With Alcohol Use Disorder Drink Every Day?
The way people with alcohol use disorder present in their day-to-day lives varies significantly. Media portrayal of people with alcohol use disorder is often stereotypical and does not accurately reflect the complexity of alcoholism as a disease.
People with alcohol use disorder are dependent onalcohol, but that does not mean that they drink every day.
A person only has to meet two of the below criteria to be diagnosed with AUD:
These criteria are often internal struggles, not observable to others. Someone can live with alcohol use disorder without anyone else noticing.
Why Does Alcohol Make Me Sleepy? Exploring the Science Behind Drowsiness
Signs of Alcohol Use Disorder
Below are some signs that you or someone you love may be living with alcohol use disorder. These signs don’t always affect a person’s ability to carry out their day-to-day responsibilities.
Drinking Heavily and Excessively
Onesignthat someone may have alcohol use disorder is that they consume excessive amounts of alcohol. This can look likebinge drinking(drinking a lot over a short period) or heavy drinking (drinking a lot over a more extended period).
Both binge drinking and heavy drinking patterns increase a person’s risk of AUD and are common behaviors among people with AUD.
Drinking Alone, Secretly, or at Unconventional Times
Drinking alone or being secretive about drinking can be another sign of alcohol use disorder. Drinking alcohol at unconventional times—such as early in the day or at gatherings where nobody else is drinking—is another hallmark of this disease.
Justifying Drinking as Being a Normal Part of Life
Sometimes, people with alcohol use disorder don’t recognize their drinking is an issue, especially if they meet their work and home life responsibilities despite their alcohol dependence. As such, they may justify their drinking as a normal part of life—even though it isn’t.
Trouble Quitting Drinking
The refusal to abstain can become more apparent in certain situations. This includes times when many people give up alcohol, such as “dry January” or the period of fasting and penitence in the Christian calendar leading up to Easter known asLent. It may also cause an individual to refuse to travel to areas where alcohol access may be limited.
Frequent Performance Issues at Work or Other Functions
Issues with work, school, and relationships are common among people living with AUD.However, these issues are not always apparent to outsiders. These issues can be insidious and increase as a person becomes more dependent on alcohol. Over time, these minor signs can snowball into more significant issues.
Seek HelpIf you or someone you know is struggling with excessive alcohol use, contact theSubstance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) National Helplineat800-662-4357for information on support and treatment facilities in your area.
Seek Help
If you or someone you know is struggling with excessive alcohol use, contact theSubstance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) National Helplineat800-662-4357for information on support and treatment facilities in your area.
Risks and Impact of Living With Alcohol Use Disorder
Being able to carry out regular responsibilities with AUD is not the same as being free of the disease. Alcohol use disorder can still have a significant impact on a person’s life, even if they appear to be coping from the outside.
Physical and Mental Health
There are long-term health consequences of alcohol abuse, including an increased risk of:
Just because a person can still go to work while dependent on alcohol does not mean that they are immune to the health consequences associated with the disease.
Relationships and Social Life
Alcohol use disorder also negatively affects a person’s relationships and social life. As a person becomes and remains dependent on alcohol, they can struggle with:
How to Cope When a Loved One Has Alcohol Use Disorder
If someone you are close to is living with alcohol use disorder, you may be looking for ways to help them cope with the impacts of their disease on your own life.
An excellent first step is to stop enabling their drinking. For many people, enabling can be second nature. Some ways you may be enabling someone with alcohol use disorder include:
It can be hard to stop enabling someone you care about once you’ve recognized it. Try to talk openly to the person about your concerns, and encourage them to seek help from resources likeAlcoholics Anonymous (AA).
To cope with your stress, you may want to attend a support group for family and friends of people with alcohol use disorder (such asAl-Anon) or consider therapy.
How to Get Help for Alcohol Use Disorder
Recovering from AUD is possible. The incredibly important first step is to recognize your need for help and move past denial.
Medications
In the United States, there are currently threemedicationsapproved to treat AUD.These include:
Therapy
Behavioral therapy can help people recovering from AUD.There are multiple types of therapy, and one may work better than others, depending on the individual. Types of therapy for AUD include:
These therapies are available one-on-one or in small groups in an inpatient or outpatient setting. Some people with AUD may attend aninpatient recovery program, in which they stay at a facility for at least 28 days to receive concentrated treatment in a controlled environment.
Self-Help Groups and Counseling
Support groups and counseling services can help treat AUD. The most well-known support group is Alcoholics Anonymous, but there are many other12-step programs.
Support from other people who struggle with alcohol use disorder is an integral part of recovery, alongside medical treatment.
Summary
Treatment and support for alcohol use are available. Consider speaking to your primary care provider about your concerns or attending a support group as a first step.
7 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.American Psychiatric Association.Alcohol use disorder.National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism.Alcohol use disorder: a comparison between DSM-IV and DSM-V.American Psychiatric Association.Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition,DSM-5.National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism.Drinking levels defined.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Alcohol use and your health.National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholics.Alcohol’s effects on health.Patel AK, Balasanova AA.Treatment of alcohol use disorder.JAMA. 2021;325(6):596-596. doi:10.1001/jama.2020.2012
7 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.American Psychiatric Association.Alcohol use disorder.National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism.Alcohol use disorder: a comparison between DSM-IV and DSM-V.American Psychiatric Association.Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition,DSM-5.National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism.Drinking levels defined.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Alcohol use and your health.National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholics.Alcohol’s effects on health.Patel AK, Balasanova AA.Treatment of alcohol use disorder.JAMA. 2021;325(6):596-596. doi:10.1001/jama.2020.2012
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
American Psychiatric Association.Alcohol use disorder.National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism.Alcohol use disorder: a comparison between DSM-IV and DSM-V.American Psychiatric Association.Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition,DSM-5.National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism.Drinking levels defined.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Alcohol use and your health.National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholics.Alcohol’s effects on health.Patel AK, Balasanova AA.Treatment of alcohol use disorder.JAMA. 2021;325(6):596-596. doi:10.1001/jama.2020.2012
American Psychiatric Association.Alcohol use disorder.
National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism.Alcohol use disorder: a comparison between DSM-IV and DSM-V.
American Psychiatric Association.Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition,DSM-5.
National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism.Drinking levels defined.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Alcohol use and your health.
National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholics.Alcohol’s effects on health.
Patel AK, Balasanova AA.Treatment of alcohol use disorder.JAMA. 2021;325(6):596-596. doi:10.1001/jama.2020.2012
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