The term ‘High functioning Alcoholic’ is no longer being used to describe a person who is struggling with alcohol abuse while maintaining a relatively normal life. The new term being used is someone living with Alcohol Use Disorder or AUD in a move to destigmatise the disorder and encourage more people to seek help.
Healthline has published a list of criteria as detailed in the DSM-5 (The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition) which could identify those who struggle with AUD. These could include;
- resolve to drink less or just have “two drinks,” but are never able to control alcohol use
- continue to drink, even though it makes you feel anxious or depressed
- spend a significant time outside of work drinking, buying alcohol, or recovering from drinking alcohol
- have strong cravings to drink when not drinking
- give up important responsibilities or activities you once enjoyed in order to get drunk instead
- engage in dangerous activities while drinking, such as driving, swimming, or unprotected sex
- develop a tolerance to alcohol so you have to drink more and more to feel drunk
- experience withdrawal symptoms when you aren’t drinking. Examples include sweating, shaking, or feeling sick to your stomach.
- have a desire to stop drinking, but feel like you can’t
- feel that drinking negatively impacts your role at home, in the family, your job, or your schooling
- continue to drink despite it causing problems between you and your family or friends
For the full article in Healthline on AUD please visit www.healthline.com/health/can-you-function-alcoholic
If you feel that you or a friend or family member might be struggling with AUD, you can contact Gladstones Private Rehab clinic for help and support.
Gladstones Clinic offers a rehab programme for addiction that applies abstinence-based, integrative treatments and a non 12-step philosophy as part of our treatment model.
We work with addicts and their families on a daily basis in our residential rehab clinic. We have seen the damage done to everyone involved. We apply our years of experience with the latest integrative treatment models and therapies in our highly successful practice.
Gladstones operates two private residential rehab facilities in the South-West of England, and two in London. Our main office and facilities are located in central Bristol.
All Our clinics provide clients with a private room (en-suite) & full board included in the cost of their residential rehabilitation programme.
If you need to speak to someone right now for a confidential chat call us Freephone on 0808 258 2350 or email – help@gladstonesclinic.com
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