How to Recognize a Highly Functioning Addict

Generally, people refer to a common stereotype when describing an addict. It’s assumed that there are obvious signs, such as criminal acts and poverty, which alert people close to the addict that treatment is necessary.

In reality, many addicts do not fit this assumption and are successful in life, camouflaging their problem and causing harm to their mental and physical health. As many as half of all addicts are considered highly functioning.

A functioning addict is defined as someone who is able to hide the excesses of their alcohol or drug use. A common example would be a functioning alcoholic who maintains a secure job, is stable in their personal life and is respected in the community despite drinking an excessive amount of alcohol most of the day.

Even though the addict appears to be stable in life, the reality is that they are struggling internally and dealing with common addiction symptoms by themselves. Because of this, most functioning alcoholics can have dramatic consequences when things eventually do come crashing down around them.

What to Look for in a Highly Functioning Addict

Even though functioning addicts are able to hide their struggle better than others, there are still signs to look for that help identify an addiction issue. From AddictionBlog.org, these symptoms include:

• Mood swings and/or behavior changes when the person is in situations involving the addicted substance.

• Defensive behaviors when questioned about their use of drugs or alcohol.

• They may lie about where they have been.

• They appear to be sick in the mornings on a regular basis. This may try to be covered by using excuses such as “I’m not a morning a person,” but typically they are sick due to a hangover.

• They have random sexual encounters on a regular basis or do things they come to later regret while under the influence.

• Close friends or people they hang out with on a regular basis are heavy drinkers or drug users.

• Different excuses are used when explaining their behaviors, including stress at work or peer pressure.

• They say they are only going to have a few drinks but consistently end up drinking more.

• They smell like drugs or alcohol and routinely have a disheveled appearance in the morning.

How You Can Help

Unless the addict is ready to accept that they have a problem, trying to help them can be a frustrating experience for loved ones. Highly functioning addicts are usually in denial about their problem and reference all the successes in their life when confronted about their addiction.

However, this does not mean that eventually they will admit that they need help. Here are a few ways that can help when approaching a functioning addict:

• Make sure the discussion is held at an appropriate time. The best moments are when the person is recovering from a hangover or is remorseful about an event that happened while under the influence.

• Leave recovery literature around the house where they can see it that includes information about people in longer term sustained recovery. They might be willing to inquire if they do not feel directly confronted.

• Introduce them to peers who have overcome their addiction.

• Stop making excuses for the individual. There is no excuse for bad behavior while intoxicated.

• Reassure them that they can enter rehab anonymously.

• Remind them that there is hope, help and healing that life can get better with treatment.

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