Signs of a Functioning Alcoholic

Signs of a Functioning Alcoholic

Recognizing an addiction to alcohol means learning about the signs of a functioning alcoholic. At Serenity Lodge in Lake Arrowhead, California, we work with individuals struggling with an addiction to alcohol who are ready to start a path of sobriety. Our luxury rehabilitation facility provides clients with the comfort and support necessary to detox safely from alcohol in order to move forward with treatment. Alcohol addiction is not the same as social drinking. When you are not able to control your drinking and find yourself making poor choices because of alcohol use, it’s time to consider your options.

Common Signs of a Functioning Alcoholic

A functioning alcoholic is a person who is able to maintain an appearance of normalcy while living a life addicted to alcohol. While some people are able to drink socially and stop after a couple of drinks, a person who is addicted to alcohol can’t stop. Signs of a functioning alcoholic include:

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  • Relationship struggles because of alcohol but you don’t consider stopping
  • You joke about being an alcoholic but won’t make changes
  • Alcohol is required for you to relax and be social
  • You make bad decisions while drinking and don’t think it’s a problem

You might think that an alcoholic has a life that is falling apart. This is not the case when you are a functioning alcoholic. It is the amount of alcohol you drink and your inability to stop that identifies if you are abusing alcohol. Even when you have a job, pay your bills, and your housing is stable, this doesn’t mean you don’t have an alcohol addiction.

Alcohol Addiction Vs. Social Drinking

The line between having an alcohol addiction and social drinking can be blurry for some people. Social drinking can lead to alcohol misuse at times. A person with an addiction to alcohol does not seem to learn from their behavior. A person who has made poor choices while socially drinking often won’t make the same mistakes again.

Social drinking is having a few drinks and hanging out with other people. A social drinker can take or leave a drink, while a person with an addiction is always looking for opportunities to drink alcohol. If a party gets canceled, a social drinker moves on. An alcoholic gets angry if a party changes, and may drink home alone anyway.

Getting Help For an Alcohol Addiction

Once you recognize the signs of a functioning alcoholic, it is up to you to make changes in your life. If you have tried to stop drinking on your own without success, this is common. Withdrawing from alcohol is difficult and produces symptoms that can be difficult to manage. It is not safe to detox from alcohol at home alone. Help for an alcohol addiction can include:

  • Detox in a comfortable setting to physically remove alcohol from the body
  • Individual counseling to work on the emotional and behavioral impact of addiction
  • Short-term rehabilitation to build on your sobriety in a safe setting
  • Therapies such as motivational interviewing, and 12-step programs

Once you recognize that you need help for an addiction to alcohol, it is up to you to make the choice to do so. With the wide range of services available, you can begin the process in a safe setting.

Find Help For An Alcohol Addiction Today

It’s time to stop letting alcohol control your life. You can break free from an addiction to alcohol, but you have to make the choice to get help. Contact Serenity Lodge today at [Direct] and begin your journey of sobriety now.

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