Nearly 15 million people in the United States struggle with alcohol abuse. The common stereotype of alcohol abusers is that they don’t have their lives together, that they’re sloppy, that they’re unhealthy-looking, and that they’re prone to committing egregious acts during social interactions.
But did you know that there’s another type of abuser — the functional alcoholic — who rarely exhibits any of these traits?
If you’re worried about your alcohol use but haven’t noticed your life scudding off the tracks, help is still an option.This article will walk you through five signs that you might be a functioning alcoholic, so you can get the help you need.
1. You Drink a Lot
There’s no problem with enjoying some alcohol at the end of the day. Many people use alcohol the opposite way as they use coffee — to calm them down at the end of the day.
However, there’s a recommended limit. If you find yourself taking more than four drinks a day, you may be a functional alcoholic. The keyword in the question what is a functional alcoholic? — is alcoholicafter all.
2. You’ve Lost Friends
Though your life may not be falling apart due to your alcohol use, it can still be decreasing in quality. Loss of friends is one of the most common social signs of alcoholism.
Functional alcoholics, in many ways, can be even more frustrating than non-functional alcoholics. Since their life is “okay” from a superficial point of view, it can be hard to convince them that they need help.
3. You Forget Things
The internet has made it easier to get through life with a shoddy memory. If you can’t remember that item you were searching for online yesterday, chances are it’s still in your search history. If you know you won’t remember the name of a website, you can bookmark it.
However, though it’s easier to combat in today’s society, a downward trending memory could mean a deterioration in your brain’s capacity.
Alcohol kills brain cells when abused. If you don’t want to kill your brain cells, learn how to treat alcoholism.
4. Mood Swings
Mood swings are hard to pin down because they mimic the inherent quality of emotions. Sometimes you’re up, sometimes you’re down.
These are especially dangerous for functional alcoholics. They may experience bouts of terrible moods, followed by a productive phase. Because they’re able to fulfill their duties, they can shove off the angry or depressive state to the back of their mind.
However, if you experience drastic mood swings, you may be a functional alcoholic.
5. You Use Alcohol as a Stimulant
Alcohol naturally works as a depressive. However, in one of the many types of alcoholism, an alcoholic could use alcohol to help them focus or to give them a boost of energy.
This most likely isn’t because the alcohol is operating on you differently; it’s because your body is so dependent on alcohol that alcohol keeps it from falling apart.
Know if You’re a Functional Alcoholic
A functional alcoholic is someone who can survive — and sometimes even thrive — while suffering from addiction. However, they can’t ride this wave forever, and if they don’t get treatment, they will feel the devastating consequences of alcoholism.
If you think you might be a functional alcoholic, it’s time to get yourself some help. For more information, contact us today.
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