Guidance on Helping a High Functioning Addict

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High Function Addiction and How to Get a Loved One Help

A high-functioning addict is a person who struggles with substance abuse but still manages to hide the extent of the drug and alcohol use from others. They appear to colleagues, peers, or family members as the “life of the party,” with few suspecting their inner turmoil.

In fact, it is because they do maintain seemingly normal lives – going to work or school and able to maintain relationships – that nobody realizes they have a substance use disorder.

Our staff at Catalina Behavioral Health has worked with many high-functioning addicts, helping them cease their drug use or alcohol addiction. It’s not uncommon for those with a functional addiction to seek help only after something motivates them to do so.

Most of the time a high functioning addict doesn’t exactly hit rock bottom; rather, they receive DUI charges, fail a work drug test, or have some other severe consequences that raise the bottom. Our Joint Commission-accredited drug and alcohol treatment center can help them with breaking free of addictive substances when these negative consequences happen.

If your loved one is a substance abuser who remains high-functioning, we encourage you to keep reading. You’ll start recognizing the telltale signs that a high-functioning addict really does need professional help.

Defining Functional Addiction to Drugs and Alcohol

A functioning addict has a substance use disorder but can manage to maintain many daily responsibilities in life. Despite the hidden struggle with drugs or alcohol. they may have good job performance, handle day-to-day tasks, and thrive in social settings.

From an outward appearance, they are in control. But if they’d drop the mask, the world would see the truth. They lead a double life, with substance abuse hidden away from the world. Because they have a high ability to function, drug or alcohol abuse can be hard to recognize.

Trigger Alert: Functional Addict Is a Colloquial Term, Not a Diagnosis

When referring to “addict” on this page, we are solely describing a pattern of hidden substance use behavior. “Functioning drug addict” is a colloquial term. It’s not a clinical diagnosis. We do not use it to judge, demean, or define a person’s worth.

Recognizing the Signs of a High-Functioning Addict

Just because the functional addict has managed to abuse substances and hide it from the world, it doesn’t mean they haven’t developed a physical and psychological dependence on drugs or alcohol. It just means high-functioning addicts may hide the problem better than most.

Loved ones simply are not understanding or recognizing the signs of a high-functioning drug or alcohol addiction.

These are some mental and physical symptoms and behaviors common in functional addiction:

• Good performance in their professional lives
• Seemingly healthy family relationships and love lives
• Shifts in behavior or energy that seem out of character but are explained away
• Mood swings, even in a person generally considered easy-going
• Minimizing or joking about the substance abuse when asked by concerned friends or family members
• Highly intelligent people who rarely forget things start having moments of memory loss
• Using substances to cope with stress, anxiety, or pain
• Mild neglect of personal health, including poor sleep, weight fluctuations, and frequent illnesses
• Self-isolation from close family or friends
• Broken promises, especially if they’ve been reliable in the past
• Defensive responses when confronted about alcohol or drug abuse
• Taking out-of-character risks, such as driving while intoxicated
• Unexplained financial problems, even though they have a great career
• Developing tolerance – needing more of the substance to achieve the same effect
• Withdrawal symptoms when they try to stop using alcohol or drugs

Loved ones are often the first to notice these emotional and physical signs of a high-functioning addict. But what’s discussed behind closed doors is sometimes not enough to compel the functional addict to seek professional guidance.

The Myth of Hitting Rock Bottom

The high-functioning addict may know they’re struggling with addiction but believes they must hit rock bottom before they try to get better. But that is an extremely dangerous myth.

Waiting for rock bottom can lead to utterly devastating consequences: job loss, severe physical symptoms, damaged relationships, or overdoses. These can be avoided with earlier intervention for the alcohol abuse or drug addiction.

The fact is that anyone can reach out to learn about their addiction treatment options at any stage of the illness. Nobody needs to wait until they’ve lost everything; everyone deserves to receive addiction recovery. Don’t let your loved one fall into the “rock bottom” trap.

Co-occurring Disorders and Drug and Alcohol Use

High-functioning addicts may have a problem with abusing drugs or alcohol along with another mental health issue. You’ll hear mental health professionals call this co-occurring disorders or dual diagnosis. These are important terms to remember. Here’s why:

When highly functioning addicts have an additional mental health challenge, their mental health professionals must take a highly comprehensive approach. Restoring their well-being means treating the addiction and the second complication simultaneously.

Think about a time you got a good-sized cut scrape on your knee. To prevent infection, you washed the wound with antibacterial soap and then covered it with a bandage to keep it clean. If you only cleaned it without the bandage, bacteria could enter the wound. But if you bandaged it without washing it, you’d trap in bacteria. It takes BOTH actions to decrease the chances of an infected wound.

Now, apply that same logic to specialized treatment for the high-functioning drug addict. Successful recovery demands treatment for the drug or alcohol addiction and the other mental health concerns.

Breaking Free with Proven Addiction Treatment Options

Treatment of drugs or alcohol addiction is no different for a functioning addict than for anyone else. The label “high-functioning drug addict” doesn’t mean the person doesn’t need treatment. Any addiction can escalate to a severe addiction that puts them at increased risk of additional consequences.

Outpatient Care Is a Likely Solution for Less Problematic Drug Use

For many high-functioning addicts, outpatient treatment (either a partial hospitalization program or an intensive outpatient program) is a practical but nevertheless effective solution. It allows the person to receive professional help while continuing to keep up with the responsibilities of daily life.

Outpatient treatment offers high-functioning addicts the opportunity to receive the tools for long-term recovery and build health-supportive habits.

Medically-Supervised Detox to Cease Alcohol or Drug Use

The high-functioning drug addict should not attempt to quit alcohol or drugs at home. Quitting “cold turkey,” or the abrupt cessation of substance abuse, can lead to such severe withdrawal symptoms that it can mean extreme sickness or, in the very worst outcomes, death.

The high tolerance developed throughout drug and alcohol use means the person’s brain expects to feed the addiction constantly. When that doesn’t happen, withdrawal symptoms occur; this situation can happen quickly, sometimes within a few short hours. Many clients have turned to our addiction treatment center for detox after bad experiences at home, usually relapsing within a day due to feeling sick while detoxing in isolation.

In medical detox, our specially trained healthcare workers monitor your mental, emotional, and physical symptoms around the clock. Like other clients, high-functioning addicts may receive prescription medications to ease the pains of withdrawal. It’s especially likely when attending detox for opioid or alcohol abuse.

Therapists Help Reduce Stress and Change Negative Thinking

High-functioning addicted individuals tend to say they drink only to kick back and manage stress. Substance abuse is not a healthy way for most people to relieve stress. Using drugs and drinking alcohol regularly to self-medicate can lead to a higher risk of developing additional diseases.

Our licensed therapists give clients and their families the necessary tools to beat the addiction. They assist with addressing unhealthy coping methods and equip them with new, healthier ways to look at themselves and the world. Once the person has developed a more balanced outlook on life and stress-coping tools, they are better able to avoid alcohol or drug abuse.

The result of this effort is a more fulfilling life for the high-functioning addict and their loved ones. Clients spend a significant portion of their time working with an individual therapist, with occasional family support.

Peer Support – Another Key Component of Addiction Treatment

Besides traditional psychotherapy and behavioral health services, clients at Catalina participate in peer group therapy. These programs let high-functioning addicts join their recovery center peers to learn more about the reasons behind their substance abuse. They complete various activities, such as:

• Writing autobiographies or personal narratives and reading them to each other
• Writing strategies and plans for preventing relapse
• Using emotion wheels to identify and discuss emotions
• Role-playing difficult conversations
• Identifying triggers and coping skills to deal with them

The group therapy setting allows the high-functioning addict to put the knowledge discovered in individual/family therapy into use in a simulated environment. It helps them learn how to apply the tools of lasting recovery.

Community Support Groups After Treatment

While we’re discussing peer support, it’s also worth mentioning the value of local support groups in the community. Seeking 12-step programs, like Alcoholics Anonymous and Narcotics Anonymous, or the more scientific approach of SMART Recovery, can help the high-functioning addict continue to avoid the temptation of substance abuse.

Those who have completed a more formalized drug and alcohol treatment program often enjoy these groups. The meetings provide a comfortable, familiar environment with the feel of peer groups. The main difference is that community group leaders are usually not treatment professionals but compassionate volunteers. The support comes from others who have a firsthand understanding of alcohol and drug use.

Health Insurance Covers Drug and Alcohol Addiction Treatment

You might wonder if your loved one’s insurance plan will cover the costs associated with treatment for high-functioning addiction. The answer lies in whether they have a diagnosis of Substance Use Disorder, per the DSM-5 manual. Under the Affordable Care Act, mental health disorders, including addiction, are covered.

If your loved one has already been diagnosed with addiction or a related mental health condition, our admissions team calls the insurance company to obtain pre-determination of benefits, ensuring they know the costs before starting therapy.

Sometimes, a high-functioning addict may not be currently diagnosed with a drug and alcohol use disorder. In that case, they should call Catalina Behavioral Health to take the next step. We can provide a professional evaluation, determining if the signs of a high-functioning addict meet the criteria of the formal addiction diagnosis.

With that confirmation, insurance is required to cover the mental and physical treatment expenses of addiction. Let our team go to work calling the insurance carrier.

We work with top insurers, accepting Aetna, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Cigna, TRICARE, and many others.

Hallie Was a High-Functioning Addict Who Found Hope at Catalina

‘Hallie’s’ friends and family laughed about her heavy drinking. Instead of admitting she was a high-functioning addict, they described her as lively and glorified her risk-taking. That ended the night she got a DWI after swerving into a utility pole. Despite minor injuries, it was a wake-up call for Hallie and her family.

Because she was a first-time offender, Hallie was ordered to get treatment for her addiction by the Pima County Drug Court. Hallie’s high-functioning addiction fortunately meant she had good medical coverage to apply to her treatment costs. The outpatient treatment center at Catalina allowed her to work to keep her insurance and receive addiction treatment after working hours.

Hallie’s therapist helped her discover that her addiction came from trauma. She had been mercilessly bullied throughout childhood, so much so that she used drugs and drank during her junior year of high school to fit in with the older kids. Hanging out with seniors offered her some protection from the bullies.

The drinking became more problematic, but Hallie managed it throughout her college career. Now, as a young woman with a stable job, she was forced to admit to being a high-functioning addict. After detox, Hallie’s therapists worked with her to reverse her negative self-talk and build her self-esteem.

She returned to drug court after completing addiction therapy; the judge dismissed her charges and offered a firm warning not to return. Hallie now has the tools for lasting sobriety and continues to excel in her career.

Call Catalina to Get Support for Ending High Function Drug Abuse

A high-functioning drug addict is at a higher risk of developing additional mental or physical illnesses. If you have noticed your loved one drinking or using drugs heavily to manage stress while somehow still balancing responsibilities, they need help to stop.

You or your loved one deserves to live a life without alcohol or drugs. Call Catalina Behavioral Health today to get help.