The highfunctioning alcoholics story is largely one of appearance. He seems fine, even great, doing well at work and raising a wonderful family. Some experts prefer the term currently functioning alcoholic because odds are such people arent going to remain functional forever. A highfunctioning alcoholic is someone who habitually drinks an unhealthy amount of alcohol while maintaining some level of professional and personal success. Sarah allen benton, ms, lmhc, lpc, aadc, is the author of the book, understanding the highfunctioning alcoholic and has been featured frequently in the media including the new york times and has appeared on the oprah winfrey show, the today show, the cbs early show, npr and is a blogger for a licensed mental health counselor and coowner of benton. Only about oneinten drinkers, even hard drinkers become alcoholic. Understanding the highfunctioning alcoholic excerpt.
To help you separate fact from fiction, heres a look at five common myths surrounding the high functioning alcoholic. The alcohol is interfering with their family, their friendships, their job, and their health. For alcoholics, withdrawal can look like anything from feeling depressed or anxious, increasing irritability, or feeling nauseous or tired for an extended period of time. But they may have a secret buried under the surface that theyre trying desperately to hide. High functioning, but still alcoholics the new york times.
Highfunctioning alcoholics are highly skilled at leading double lives, ms. It is a thorough and insightful discussion of an often misunderstood and mistreated clinical group that frequently does not respond wellto traditional psychotherapy, or psychopharmacology, or simply twelve step approaches. However, if we do consume enough alcohol we will more than likely become alcoholic. Doctors hope that the new definition will help identify severe cases of alcoholism early, rather than when the. To help you separate fact from fiction, heres a look at five common myths surrounding the highfunctioning alcoholic.
Understanding this hidden class of alcoholics from a professional and personal view, by sarah allen benton, ms, lmhc. Sarah bentons book understanding the highfunctioning alcoholic is a gift to both clinicians and clients alike. A highfunctioning alcoholic hfa is a person who maintains jobs and relationships while exhibiting alcoholism statistics from the harvard school of public health indicated that 31 percent of college students show signs of alcohol abuse and 6 percent are dependent on alcohol. In reality, highfunctioning alcoholism is usually made. How can you tell whether regular drinking is actually problem drinking. The paperback was published in 2010 by rowman and littlefield publishers. However, the rest of your life looks pretty good, at least to the outside world. The most famous highfunctioning alcoholics infographic. This quiz is not intended to diagnose you for alcoholism. The various ways highfunctioning alcoholics hit bottom. Paperback book and kindle version available amazon.
You can also visit bentons website or pick up her book understanding the highfunctioning alcoholic. Once you finish, enter your email address in the box and click the submit button. Highfunctioning alcoholics have a tendency to lose interest in food and to those close to them, this is often very noticeable. Sometimes, they may start cooking but drink while they do so. Talking to a loved one when he or she is under the influence will be a useless exercise. The highfunctioning alcoholic subtype in 2007, researchers at the national institute on alcohol abuse and alcoholism a division of the national institutes of health discovered that there are five distinct subtypes of alcoholism. Six signs that you are a high functioning alcoholic. Alcoholics have a stereotype, so friends, family members and coworkers might not recognize high functioning alcoholics. Also check out her blogs on psychology today and her interview and excerpt from the book on. How to convince a functional alcoholic to attend treatment. Ask your doctor about getting help whether its from a therapist, psychiatrist, or. It is a thorough and insightful discussion of an often misunderstood and mistreated clinical group that frequently does not respond well to traditional psychotherapy, or psychopharmacology, or simply twelve step approaches.
This book is an indepth exploration of a hidden class of alcoholics. The results are confidential, so be honest about your drinking over the past year. A highfunctioning alcoholic might ask her husband to call in sick to work for her when shes struggling with a hangover, or borrow money from a friend to pay bills when shes spent too much on alcohol. Through my new book and this blog, i intend to increase awareness and to facilitate dialogue about highfunctioning alcoholics and the. If you experience these symptoms around the time of day that you usually start drinking, it is a sign that you are a highfunctioning alcoholic and need help.
Taking a functional alcoholic quiz can give you a better picture of yourself. They appear to the outside world to be managing life well and defy the alcoholic stereotype by being. My friend called me and said i finally feel like i belong. The highfunctioning alcoholic in society many people who struggle with problem drinking, heavy drinking, or constant cravings for alcohol are considered functional alcoholics. Professional views and personal insights, by sarah allen benton, a licensed mental health counselor. A functioning alcoholic is someone who manages to maintain a level of productivity, by keeping up with their responsibilities, work, and professional life, while still suffering from an addiction to alcohol. Understanding the highfunctioning alcoholic sheknows. But in reality, alex is just as much an alcoholic as your stereotypical homeless bum using beggars money to buy a bottle of rum.
This type of drinker is known as a functional alcoholic, highfunctioning alcoholic, or currentlyfunctioning alcoholic, since its not likely that youll remain functional nor misuse alcohol forever. A highfunctioning alcoholic will display significant changes in behavior when under the influence. Highfunctioning alcoholics may not seem to need help at first. Am i a functioning alcoholic quiz northpoint recovery. Highfunctioning alcoholics might be one of the most dangerous types. The michigan alcoholism screening test mastis a very simple, selfscoring test that helps assess if you have a drinking problem. If given a choice, theyre more interested in having a few drinks than eating. Highfunctioning alcoholics and substance users pesi. And are you ready to learn how to fight inflammation and address autoimmune disease through the power of food. Mental health professional and recovering alcoholic sarah allen benton shares her struggles in this excerpt from understanding the.
How to help a highfunctioning alcoholic in denial psych central. The treatment for a highfunctioning alcoholic is the same as for any other type of addict, benton says. This book helps to bridge the gap between the stereotypical homeless, destitute alcoholic and everyone else. Following completion of treatment, for the highfunctioning alcoholic in recovery to maintain sobriety, participation in 12step or selfhelp groups is necessary. The highfunctioning alcoholic will lose out on enjoying meals. They are called highfunctioning alcoholics, and they have all the outward signs of success.
Some of the behaviors and symptoms described in the quiz may not seem serious, but they can be warning signs that a more severe problem is developing. Understanding the highfunctioning alcoholic psychology today. Most people wont even be aware that the person is an alcoholic. Even though a loved one may not fit the mold, it doesnt mean he doesnt have a drinking problem. A must read if you are wondering if you might have a problem. Once youve done so, youll be directed to your results. Just like, not all people that eat too much fat in their diets have heart disease or have an eating disorcer not all people who drink too much, or get in trouble while drinking are alcoholic. If constant drinking problems are affecting you or someone you love, this is a must read. Jeff herten was a highfunctioning alcoholic one who drinks every day, yet continues to lead a productive, successful life. Its best if they can recognize their problems before they get out of hand.
How to know if youre a high functioning alcoholic wikihow. Drinking without food causes alcohol to be absorbed twice as quickly through the stomach. Understanding the highfunctioning alcoholic by sarah allen benton is a life changing book in my opinion. The major drawback to the mast test is that it focuses on. In terms of family life and friends, there is also the problem of secondary denial that loved ones may have about an hfa by not believing that. Some of the behaviors and symptoms described in the quiz may not seem serious, but they can be warning signs that a. Our traditional mental image of an alcoholic is of someone who simply cannot keep their life together.
It is one of the oldest alcoholism tests having been developed in 1971. The term highfunctioning alcoholic is one that most people seem to understand or identify with, but ironically it has yet to be formally defined or examined. There are people who meet the criteria for a medical diagnosis for alcohol dependence who are highly functional in society and still have their jobs, homes, and families. Perhaps you believe you may be a functional alcoholic, but youre not sure. Setting the record straight about high functioning alcoholics. A book most of us high bottom, high functioning alcoholics can relate to.
Understanding the high functioning alcoholic benton. You may also come up with excuses for excessive drinking, such as stress at work or rewarding themselves after a productive week. Now he shares his firsthand knowledge of how alcohol can destroy lives as it nearly destroyed his. Benton concludes, hfas are putting not only their own health. A highfunctioning alcoholic has usually achieved or overachieved in their. This term is defined by people who have a dependence on, tolerance to, and intense cravings for alcohol, but they still maintain a job, complete school, and have. Also check out the highlyrecommended book, understanding the high functioning alcoholic. So many people are functional alcoholics, and a lot of them dont realize they have a problem. A highfunctioning alcoholic is a person who is able to maintain what appears from the outside a successful, normal life. However, it may be used to give you some insight about whether or not your current drinking habits are putting you on a path to alcoholism. Ways to approach the highfunctioning alcoholic in your life. Get details on the functional subclass of alcohol use disorders, including misconceptions that lead to enabling or codependent relationships. Functioning alcoholic living with a functioning alcoholic. Revelations of a highfunctioning alcoholic jeff herten on.
He can be wildly popular, make a lot of money and enjoy a wide circle of friends. Join our 5day inflammation video summit with mindbodygreen s top doctors. Benton calls them, are in denial about their abuse of alcohol. To take the quiz below, check each box if your answer is yes. The following are excerpts from my book understanding the highfunctioning alcoholic. A hfa can have a good job and a family that adores him. Answer the questions below to find out if you have signs of a problem.