By Jim Campbell
March 9th, 2018
Having had first hand experience with alcoholism in my family, I can say with certainty than not only is it worse than a cancer diagnosis, as most cancers when caught early can be cured, but it’s far worse.
It’s a malignancy of it’s on making that will take the entire family and everything it its path down to the ground.
How to Recognize a High-Functioning Alcoholic
They’re often unrecognizable as alcoholics, walking among us, working alongside us, able to carry out (at least superficially) their responsibilities.
Perhaps they’re even members of our own families.
The high-functioning alcoholic is very adept at concealing their alcoholism – even from themselves. But the signs are there. You just have to look for them.
What is a High-Functioning Alcoholic?
To function is to be capable of carrying out a specific action or activity, to operate or to work. High-functioning alcoholics, then, are those people who are able to convincingly go through their prescribed roles and carry out their duties – yet who continues to drink alcohol.
The Addiction Primer: Everything You Need to Know to Get Help for a Loved One
They are able to maintain relationships with family, friends and colleagues, keep up with their job and home.
On the nails Ted Talk below.
In essence, they lead a double life: they are outwardly the successful, capable husband, wife, sibling, child or other relative, friend, or coworker, while inside they are alcoholics.
Below, Dr. Susan Fletcher differentiates between an alcoholic and alcohol abuse. If you are suffering or know someone who might be suffering; watch this video.
High-functioning alcoholics would never put themselves in the same consideration set as a skid-row drunk. In fact, while both have the same disease, with high-functioning alcoholics (HFAs) the progression is quite a bit different.
With their extraordinarily high level of denial, they often find it extremely difficult to admit that they even have a problem with alcohol. Through years of success and achievement – despite drinking – the HFA isn’t looked upon by others as an alcoholic.
In addition, due to the stigma and shame still associated with alcoholism, the HFA would be loath to admit to others, let alone himself, that he has a problem with alcohol. Such personal denial is also accompanied by denial of others. “He can sure handle his liquor,” some might say.
See the entire article below.
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