The classic image of an alcoholic is someone who relies on drinking heavily and who is suffering because of it - but this is not always the case.
For some, abusing alcohol will not result in losing everything they hold dear as a result of their drinking, though it may just be a matter of time.
Time varies from person to person and for some people, they are able to function for many years - these are called functioning alcoholics - but they are not always easy to spot.
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According to the NHS, alcohol misuse is when you drink in a way that's harmful, or when you're dependent on alcohol.
Delamere Health said women are more vulnerable to alcohol’s effects and tend to suffer the negative physical aspects of alcoholism at a faster pace than men but many can still work, look after family and enjoy activities despite suffering from alcoholism.
For many functioning alcoholics, they will often deny they have a problem as it differs to how they perceive an alcoholic to be.
Denial is a common symptom and is a result of a cognitive brain dysfunction. It is also the brain's way of protecting the disease of addiction and enabling it to continue.
The signs and symptoms of a functioning alcoholic according to Delamere :
- Frequent intoxication and smelling of alcohol
- Loss of control around alcohol use
- Hiding alcohol in strange places such as their garage, at the office, in bushes or in their car
- Drinking between work times or appointments, or drinking just enough to keep their alcohol levels topped up if they are alcohol dependent
- Frequent binge drinking after daily responsibilities are taken care of
- Justifying their drinking as a way of unwinding after work, a busy day with the kids or as a reward
- Becoming irritable, anxious, restless and unable to sleep if they are unable to drink
- Regularly drinking in the morning before going about their day, or at odd times of the day such as lunch time in order to avoid alcohol withdrawal symptoms
- Always drinking at social events and ‘preloading’ prior to attending a social event
- Avoiding social events or activities that do not involve alcohol
- Alcohol has become a problem at home, with them either drinking excessively alone at home or disappearing to a pub or bar straight after work for hours
- Becoming defensive or flippant when challenged over their drinking
- Denying they are an alcoholic, reasoning that they still hold down a job or take the kids to school on time
- Alternating alcohol and prescription pills in order that they can function
- They may become erratic, spontaneous, angry or change their character completely whilst intoxicated
- Difficulty in recalling events that took place whilst heavily intoxicated – experiencing alcoholic blackout
- Risk taking, they may well drive to work or drive children to school whilst still over the limit from the previous night or from taking a morning drink
The NHS website states you could be misusing alcohol if:
- you feel you should cut down on your drinking
- other people have been criticising your drinking
- you feel guilty or bad about your drinking
- you need a drink first thing in the morning to steady your nerves or get rid of a hangover
Someone you know may be misusing alcohol if:
- they regularly drink more than 14 units of alcohol a week
- they're sometimes unable to remember what happened the night before because of their drinking
- they fail to do what was expected of them as a result of their drinking (for example, missing an appointment or work because they're drunk or hungover)
No two people who suffer from alcohol addiction are the same. Delamere offers treatment of alcoholism in its many forms.
Delamere has shared some tips on helping a functioning alcoholic, which includes talking to them when they are sober and share the common signs and symptoms with them.
More common tips can be found online.
Alternatively, people can contact their GP or a number of charities and support groups across the UK.
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