People from all walks of life can struggle with alcohol dependancy, but experts say there's some things that 'high functioning alcoholics' have in common.
Spotting a high-functioning alcoholic can be tricky - those struggling might still have a successful career, spend a lot of social time with friends and family and be active in their day-to-day lives.
Their alcoholism can go unnoticed because they are high-functioning, which makes the signs all the harder to see from the outside.
Experts say they tend to mask their struggles well, but there are a number of common phrases that get thrown about to hide what's really going on, according to Waypoint Recovery Center.
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"I don’t drink during the day"
When you think about an alcoholic, you may go to someone who wakes up needing to drink and continues to do so throughout the day.
In order to bat off any claims that there might be an alcohol issue, a person might claim this isn't them.
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An alcoholic can sometimes go without drinking for days, but it's the urge when something stressful or unpleasant happens that is the real problem.
Not drinking during the day or on weekdays doesn't necessarily mean you don't have an issue.
"I never get hangovers"
This one could be a giveaway sign.
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If someone drinks a lot, their tolerance to alcohol is usually a lot higher than most people.
They are used to consuming a lot of alcohol and may not feel the symptoms of a hangover.
Alternatively, experts suggest that someone who experiences a hangover so often actually becomes immune to the symptoms and cannot recognise them.
"I eat well and I exercise regularly"
While eating a balanced diet and going to the gym are good for the body, it doesn't cancel out the negative things that come with drinking alcohol regularly.
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A person can be a high-functioning alcoholic despite how healthy they may look or feel.
"Other people drink more than I do"
When a person's social circle tend to drink more than average, it can skew someone's perception of how much alcohol you should really be consuming - and how often.
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If someone has friends that drink a bottle of wine every night, and they drink less than those friends, that doesn't necessarily mean there isn't an issue.
"This is just who I am"
Alcohol use disorder is a chronic illnesses, and someone can only get better with help and treatment.
It is possible for a high-functioning alcohol to become a non-functioning one, which is far more recognisable.
It's vital that the person gets help before the addiction reaches this stage.
If you want to discuss any issues relating to alcohol in confidence, contact Drinkline on 0300 123 1110, 9am–8pm weekdays and 11am–4pm weekends for advice and support.
Topics: Alcohol, Food and Drink, Mental Health, Health, Advice
Mia Williams