Alcohol addiction takes many forms and is sometimes not as apparent as you may think. The reality of alcohol addiction is that you may not be falling over at the bar or see your life falling apart at home. But this doesn’t mean functioning alcoholism isn’t causing you and your life significant harm. Functioning alcoholics are often middle-aged and well-educated people with stable jobs and stable families. And yet, they have a dangerous alcohol addiction that’s masked by an ability to remain functional at work and home.
If you believe you may be a functioning alcoholic, reach out to Greater Boston Addiction Centers online today or call us at 877.920.6583 to learn how our Massachusetts alcohol rehab can help.
What Is a Functioning Alcoholic?
Functional alcoholism allows those afflicted to consume an unusually large amount of alcohol but not appear to be intoxicated. The risk of dependence, organ damage, and impairment is high because of the tolerance for alcohol they have developed. This means it will take more and more alcoholic drinks to get the buzz they are chasing and may require alcohol addiction treatment for Boston residents to get sober.
A functional alcoholic sometimes referred to as a high-functioning alcoholic, is not an actual medical term. Instead, these words are commonly used when describing a person who regularly abuses alcohol while remaining able to function in everyday life. If you are worried that you may be suffering from functional alcoholism, a Massachusetts alcohol rehab can help.
Here are 10 signs to watch for, the red flags of functional alcoholism:
- Do you have the urge to have a drink as soon as you get home from work or school?
- Do you make offhand remarks and jokes about how much you drink?
- Are your conversations often centered around alcohol or drinking?
- Is drinking now something you do alone?
- Are you engaging in high-risk behavior, like binge drinking or drinking while driving?
- Do you find yourself getting annoyed easily or nervous if you’re prevented from drinking?
- Are you denying or hiding your drinking?
- Do you get angry if your drinking habits are questioned by friends, co-workers, or family members?
- Are you having memory issues or trouble remembering things you do and say because you were drinking?
- Have you experienced withdrawal symptoms when you stop drinking?
The idea of being ‘functioning’ means that you will rarely miss work or other engagements and can outwardly manage your home and family life. If you are a functioning alcoholic, you may also look physically healthy and mentally happy. Still, beneath the surface, you could be struggling with obsessive thoughts, insatiable cravings, and an inability to stop drinking even if you want to because the withdrawal symptoms when you do try to quit are so severe. With professional alcohol rehab, Massachusetts functioning alcoholics can get help identifying their issues and receive the dedicated help necessary to overcome their addiction and recover.
Getting the Help You Need to Achieve Sobriety
Functional alcoholism can be scary because everything seems okay for considerable periods of time, but your addiction is likely causing harm to your body and cracks in your relationships. And sadly, because drinking is legal and not only socially acceptable but often celebrated in popular culture, many people with an alcohol use disorder never seek out the help they need. Thankfully, professional, compassionate care is available through Massachusetts alcohol rehab with Greater Boston Addiction Centers.
Learn More at Greater Boston Addiction Centers
If you are suffering from functional alcoholism, learn how our alcohol addiction treatment in Boston can help you get sober, heal your body and mind, and teach you how to live free of a dependency on alcohol. Contact us using our secure online form or call us at 877.920.6583 today.
