HFA

I've watched alcohol ruin things my entire life. As a child, alcoholism is confusing because it doesn't make sense. As an adult, alcoholism is even more confusing because it does make sense and seems so logical. Why cant the smart intelligent human being see the logic?

The reason why is because the general public thinks of an alcoholic as a person on skid row; a wobbling drunk that cant hold down a job, has no money or home, has no family or friends. Of the alcoholic population in America, it is estimated nearly 20% are High Functioning Alcoholics. (HFA)

High Functioning Alcoholics are generally successful in life. They are able to maintain their outside life, such as a job, home, family and friendship. HFAs have the same disease as the stereotypical alcoholic but it manifests or progresses differently. They aren't viewed by society as being an alcoholic because they have functioned, succeeded and/or over-achieved throughout their lifetimes. The denial runs deeps because they haven't suffered financially, they've never been arrested and they go to work everyday. This makes it extremely hard for them to admit to themselves that they need treatment or help.

HFAs are the most complicated kind of alcoholics because they do not see that they have a problem. They are comparing themselves to the drunks they see on the side of the road and know that they are not like that. They identify with their success at work and with the positive opinions their friends and coworkers have of them. They live a double life that no one sees but themselves.. and their spouse.

The spouse of a High Functioning Alcoholic bears a large burden, just as those of a stereotypical alcoholic. The difference is "convincing" outsiders that there is a problem. Since others don't see the double life or know about the drinking habits that take place outside of social situations, most people are unaware that there are issues. This makes it complicated for anyone to help the HFA - you cant address what you aren't aware of. In many cases, when the spouse brings it up, they are pushed to the side as if they are making a big deal out of nothing. The HFA often says things like "No one else in my life says I drink too much.. you just like to nag me" or "I'm not out killing people and breaking things, am I?"

The functioning alcoholic consumes as much alcohol as any "full-blown" alcoholic but they do not exhibit the outward symptoms of intoxication. This is because they have developed a tolerance for alcohol to the point they it makes more for them to feel the effects. This means they must drink increasingly larger amounts to the get "buzz" they are looking for.

By slowly building their alcohol tolerance, the functional alcoholic is drinking at a dangerous level that can result in organ damage, cognitive impairment and alcohol dependence. The most chronic heavy drinkers can get to the point there they show few obvious signs of intoxication even at high blood alcohol concentrations that would incapacitate others.

High Functioning Alcoholics often can stop drinking for periods of time, in attempt to prove they do not have a problem. However, they often consume larger quantities upon resumption. Often the withdrawal symptoms are so severe that they choose to keep the cycle going.