The functional person probably keeps the refrigerator stocked but may not be able to get out of bed in the mornings to make breakfast for the kids. As long as there are good days, income and effort, the functional label persists. In our busy Michigan law practice we see countless different reasons for divorce. There are certain silent marriage killers like functional alcoholism and undiagnosed mental illness that can be somewhat more common than others. This first blog (of a three-part series) is about the ways that alcoholism impacts a marriage.

Self-help organizations, church groups, and 12-step programs like Al-Anon and Alateen offer advice, hope and encouragement to people involved with functioning alcoholics. High-functioning alcoholics will rarely admit that they have a problem. But if someone in your life has three or more alcoholic beverages per day (two or more for women), they are consuming more than the recommended amount. Dietary Guidelines define moderate drinking as one drink per day for women and up to two drinks per day for men. Binge drinking is defined as having four or more beverages in one drinking episode for women and five or more beverages for men (a typical drinking episode is around two hours).

Signs your loved one is in denial

The kind of doting, wonderful daddy any kid would be lucky to have. The kind of man who tells you, with great sincerity, that you’re beautiful — and then lists the reasons why. They may grow agitated, grumpy, or depressed, but given enough time of cutting back and hopefully achieving sobriety, they will emerge happier and healthier. In “case management,” a professional may work with you one-on-one. Outpatient programs make it possible for you to get treatment during the day and still live at home. However, certain food groups also have benefits when it comes to helping with the discomfort of withdrawal symptoms and detoxification.

Alcohol can contribute to long-term stress, as it often inhibits the proper sleep cycle and can exacerbate issues such as depression or anxiety. Thus, it will be leaned on cyclically as stress increases in the life of a functional alcoholic. It is common for people to drink to self-medicate underlying mental health concerns, and alcohol can make these symptoms worse. As the spouse of a high-functioning alcoholic, life can be stressful for you, too. You may be dealing with your husband’s mood swings, or lies, or excuses—every day can be a series of ups and downs, and you never know what to expect. That means you are always on your guard, and that can be exhausting.

How can you recognize a high functioning alcoholic?

Jackie has been involved in the substance abuse and addiction treatment sector for over five years and this is something that she is truly eager about. You cannot force your spouse to go to substance abuse treatment, but you can change your actions that may be enabling them. Don’t bring alcohol into the house, and do not drink with your spouse. If present, you must break away from codependency behaviors and talk to a counselor or therapist who can guide you or even help you plan an intervention.

• If you’ve been thinking about getting clean and sober, or if you’ve been wanting to work on and strengthen the recovery you already have, it’s never been easier to do it through telehealth.
• According to the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, In 2019, more than 25 percent of adults reported that they engaged in binge drinking in the past month.
• Many high-functioning alcoholics earn a good living and can support their families while continuing to drink.
• By getting help for your loved one, you may be able to avoid further consequences of alcoholism and build a healthier future for your family.

However, they may not be ready or willing to get addiction treatment. You can also plan an intervention to let them know the consequences if they continue to drink and do not seek treatment. Top 5 Questions to Ask Yourself When Choosing Sober House One of the high functioning alcoholic symptoms is that they tend to use drinking as a coping mechanism. They deal with stress in the present or a painful past by drinking.

Woman considers her future with a man who’s loving by day but unpleasant at night.

These support groups offer you the support of people who have been through what you’re facing and can help you teach you how to care for yourself. Having the experience of others and the advice can change how isolated you tend to feel when you’re stuck in your spouse’s functioning addiction. If we can’t help ourselves, there’s no way we can help another person. Our compassionate team of admission counselors is available 24/7 to answer any questions you may have before committing to one of our drug addiction treatment programs.