Please be aware that this might heavily reduce the functionality and appearance of our site. They may try to quit independently, but the withdrawals are too unpleasant or severe. Therefore, they continue to drink to keep the withdrawals at bay, and the cycle continues. According to the National Institute for Drug Abuse, behavioral therapy is the most commonly used form of treatment.
Phone, Video, or Live-Chat Support
Besides the convenience, in-home detox programs are the most discreet and private of all the options. When speaking to your spouse about treatment, this privacy component could be a major selling point functional alcoholic husband that could mean the difference between them saying yes or knowing. Regardless of how high-functioning someone is under the influence of alcohol, it will eventually result in a breakdown in their professional lives and usually when it comes to the law. It’s important to note any problems they are having at work if there are reductions in pay or disciplinary measures.
Holding an Intervention
Whether you have an alcoholic spouse, partner or other loved one, you may be wondering how to help. High-functioning alcoholics can benefit from having an at-home support system before, during and after Alcoholics Anonymous any form of treatment for their addiction. There are hundreds of resources all over the country designed to address the issue of alcohol abuse and addiction. Having a partner struggle with substance abuse doesn’t just impact their life, but yours as well. Maybe your husband’s managing to hold down a job, but seems to be constantly drinking or always smells of alcohol.
Try to Stop Drinking and See What Happens
For instance, the alcoholic may be denied visitation rights or may be faced with a marital separation if he decides not to seek help. An alcoholic in denial may become extremely manipulative, tearful, angry or hostile when faced with the need for alcohol treatment. An experienced intervention specialist can help the participants prepare for these reactions so they can respond effectively. Our team of medical professionals provides support, recovery plans, and resources for inpatient and outpatient treatments. We encourage you to find the resilience necessary to take the first steps toward addiction recovery.
- Alcoholism often feels like a losing battle for those on the receiving end, and it tends to play out very slowly.
- High-functioning alcoholics can benefit from having an at-home support system before, during and after any form of treatment for their addiction.
- We’ve put together advice so you can go into the conversation with confidence, and make sure that it’s as effective as possible.
- It may be subtle, but you can spot those that suffer from an alcohol use disorder based on their humor, language, and word choices.
- But because different treatment strategies work for different individuals, it can be tough to land upon the right plan from the beginning.
How to Approach the High-Functioning Alcoholic in Your Life
When you sit down and talk to your husband, try to emphasize how you feel and how his drinking affects you. In addition to functional alcoholism, there is also familial alcoholism and chronic/severe alcoholism. While the thought of confrontation may be daunting, honest and open communication is essential. If you express a consequence, like leaving unless they seek treatment, be prepared to follow through on your word. As you can see, there are several options when it comes to treatment. Feel free to contact us with any questions if you feel an in-home treatment option may be worth considering.
Talking to a functional alcoholic person
But when armed with the right knowledge about the warning signs to look out for, you’ll be far better equipped to recognize when a family member is at risk. Though this so-called “minor” addiction can be hard to identify, the right strategies can help even the most functional alcoholics recover and proceed with a more healthy lifestyle. Functioning alcoholics are still alcoholics and need to be treated like any other person with an addiction. Addiction is a chronic illness so addressing alcoholism is more than reducing their drinking or detoxing from alcohol. Any alcoholic will need therapy as well as detox, and will need to prepare for a lifetime https://ecosoberhouse.com/ of continuing care.
It is very common for one or more in the household to become an enabler to the functioning alcohol abuser, whether or not they are cognizant of it. The essential problem is that no one starts out as an alcoholic, and it is very difficult to pinpoint that exact place on the timeline where drinking crosses over from manageable to unmanageable. Unfortunately, most functioning alcoholics do not seek treatment until they hit rock bottom.
Based on what has been shared, you may now be confident that your spouse is a high-functioning alcoholic. To make things worse, you may feel getting them to seek help is an impossible task. The good news is that there are some helpful strategies and support systems you can utilize to better your chances of helping your spouse seek the help they need.