This following is a guest post by Jane Smith from background check . She is a Houston based freelance writer and blogger. Questions and comments can be sent to: janesmth161@gmail.com
The term ‘alcoholic,’ can often bring to mind a stereotypical image of a haggard, sloppy person, surrounded by bottles or passed out on the floor. While this is sometimes the case, it is not an accurate depiction of the majority of alcoholics. Even those of us who are knowledgeable about alcoholism and able to detect signs of alcohol abuse or addiction in others can often jump to a distorted image of what an alcoholic looks like. The reality, however, is that many people suffering from alcoholism are able to lead normal lives that, unless closely scrutinized, would not indicate a drinking problem.
According to the New York Times , there are millions of Americans who are a part of the job force and work for years as functioning alcoholics. The article mentions even those in higher professions, such as dentists, doctors, professors, teachers, lawyers, judges, journalists, authors, firemen, and C.E.O.’s, have been found to be suffering from alcoholism, and by not seeking help, have put the public health and safety in jeopardy. Even public figures, such as Mary Tyler Moore and Robin Williams, astronaut Buzz Aldrin, and even former President George W. Bush have had problems with alcoholism unbeknownst to the general public. And the rate of functioning alcoholism is high.
According to a recent article in Psychology Today , a 2007 study by the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism classified alcoholics as falling into one of 5 types. According to the study, “20% are the ‘functional’ subtype, 32% are the ‘young adult’ subtype, 21% are the ‘young antisocial’ subtype, 19% are intermediate familial subtype (middle-aged with mental illness), and only 9% are of the ‘chronic severe’ subtype, fitting the stereotype of the low-bottom alcoholic.” The article also includes estimations by experts that put the percentage of high-functioning alcoholics at 75-90% of all alcoholics.
High functioning alcoholics are able to maintain their everyday responsibilities. They typically function fine on the job, at home, and with family and friends, but still make time for the other part of their life that includes drinking to the extreme. “Many are not viewed by society as being alcoholic, because they have functioned, succeeded and/or over-achieved throughout their lifetimes,” reads the Psychology Today article. “These achievements often lead to an increase in personal denial as well as denial from colleagues and loved ones.” It is often just as much a personal problem as it is a social allowance. “Surgeons have been known to operate with shaking hands,” reads the Times article, “yet colleagues who knew or suspected that alcohol abuse was the cause failed to confront the doctor. Employees who suspect a problem often cover up for their bosses.”
This is a major societal problem, and everyone could become more aware of the issue, especially those of us who have gone through addiction issues ourselves or watched a loved-one battle addiction. According to the National Epidemiological Survey on Alcohol and Related Conditions, only 25% of alcoholics ever receive treatment. This could very well be due to the high rate of functioning alcoholics and a societal tendency to turn our heads from the warning signs.
Here is a list posted by Psychology Today detailing common characteristics of high functioning alcoholics, for anyone who thinks they may be or may know someone suffering from alcoholism in this form:
Denial
• have difficulty viewing themselves as alcoholics because they don’t fit the stereotypical image
• believe that they are not alcoholics because they are successful
• use alcohol as a reward and/or justify drinking to relieve stress
Professional and Personal Life
• able to maintain consistent employment and/or gain an education
• well respected for job/academic performance and accomplishments
Interpersonal Relationships
• sustain friendships and family relations
• have romantic relationships
Drinking Habits
• one alcoholic drink sets off a craving
• obsess about the next drinking opportunity
• display personality changes and/or compromise morals when intoxicated
• repeat unwanted drinking patterns and behaviors
“Double Life”
• appear to the outside world to be managing life well
• skilled at living a compartmentalized life (separating their professional and drinking lives)
• appearances contradict the alcoholic stereotype
Hitting Bottom
• experience few tangible losses and consequences from their drinking, often by sheer luck
• experience recurrent thoughts that because they have not “lost everything,” they have not hit bottom
This following is a guest post by Jane Smith from background check . She is a Houston based freelance writer and blogger. Questions and comments can be sent to: janesmth161@gmail.com
The term ‘alcoholic,’ can often bring to mind a stereotypical image of a haggard, sloppy person, surrounded by bottles or passed out on the floor. While this is sometimes the case, it is not an accurate depiction of the majority of alcoholics. Even those of us who are knowledgeable about alcoholism and able to detect signs of alcohol abuse or addiction in others can often jump to a distorted image of what an alcoholic looks like. The reality, however, is that many people suffering from alcoholism are able to lead normal lives that, unless closely scrutinized, would not indicate a drinking problem.
According to the New York Times , there are millions of Americans who are a part of the job force and work for years as functioning alcoholics. The article mentions even those in higher professions, such as dentists, doctors, professors, teachers, lawyers, judges, journalists, authors, firemen, and C.E.O.’s, have been found to be suffering from alcoholism, and by not seeking help, have put the public health and safety in jeopardy. Even public figures, such as Mary Tyler Moore and Robin Williams, astronaut Buzz Aldrin, and even former President George W. Bush have had problems with alcoholism unbeknownst to the general public. And the rate of functioning alcoholism is high.
According to a recent article in Psychology Today , a 2007 study by the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism classified alcoholics as falling into one of 5 types. According to the study, “20% are the ‘functional’ subtype, 32% are the ‘young adult’ subtype, 21% are the ‘young antisocial’ subtype, 19% are intermediate familial subtype (middle-aged with mental illness), and only 9% are of the ‘chronic severe’ subtype, fitting the stereotype of the low-bottom alcoholic.” The article also includes estimations by experts that put the percentage of high-functioning alcoholics at 75-90% of all alcoholics.
High functioning alcoholics are able to maintain their everyday responsibilities. They typically function fine on the job, at home, and with family and friends, but still make time for the other part of their life that includes drinking to the extreme. “Many are not viewed by society as being alcoholic, because they have functioned, succeeded and/or over-achieved throughout their lifetimes,” reads the Psychology Today article. “These achievements often lead to an increase in personal denial as well as denial from colleagues and loved ones.” It is often just as much a personal problem as it is a social allowance. “Surgeons have been known to operate with shaking hands,” reads the Times article, “yet colleagues who knew or suspected that alcohol abuse was the cause failed to confront the doctor. Employees who suspect a problem often cover up for their bosses.”
This is a major societal problem, and everyone could become more aware of the issue, especially those of us who have gone through addiction issues ourselves or watched a loved-one battle addiction. According to the National Epidemiological Survey on Alcohol and Related Conditions, only 25% of alcoholics ever receive treatment. This could very well be due to the high rate of functioning alcoholics and a societal tendency to turn our heads from the warning signs.
Here is a list posted by Psychology Today detailing common characteristics of high functioning alcoholics, for anyone who thinks they may be or may know someone suffering from alcoholism in this form: