A highfunctioning alcoholic has usually achieved or overachieved in their. You can also dispel some of the myths and stereotypes about alcoholics that i have written about in other blog posts on this site and in my book understanding the highfunctioning alcoholic. My friend called me and said i finally feel like i belong. Signs of a highfunctioning alcoholic promises behavioral health. However, because the highfunctioning alcoholic has the ability to perform and succeed, the treatment often comes too late or not at all. A highfunctioning alcoholic might hold down a job and have a family despite an underlying struggle with alcohol addiction. Hfas are less apt to feel that they need treatment or help for their alcoholism and often slide through the cracks of the health care system, both medically. They may be college educated, have partners or are married, and have jobs with relatively good salaries. She explains that these ideas are not only wrong but dangerous. An addiction psychiatrist is a mental health and addiction expert who is well trained and experienced to evaluate and treat individuals who are suffering from depression, anxiety, insomnia, ptsd, trauma andor alcohol and substance use disorders. She has a master of science degree from northeastern university and is a licensed mental health counselor at emmanuel college in boston. Highfunctioning alcoholics and substance users pesi. This book is an indepth exploration of a hidden class of alcoholics.
Congratulations and thanks to sarah allen benton for the. Sarah allen bentons book, understanding the highfunctioning alcoholic explodes old stereotypes of alcoholism. While these people may not fit the stereotype, their drinking still causes problems for themselves and others. Our traditional mental image of an alcoholic is of someone who simply cannot keep their life together. Benton writer that highfunctioning alcoholics hfa can.
My husband is a high functioning alcoholic currently. High functional alcoholism also increases the chances of problems in the family like domestic violence, child abuse, and neglect, fight between the members of the family. The treatment for a highfunctioning alcoholic is the same as for any other type of addict, benton says. Sarah allen benton, ms, lmhc, lpc, aadc, is the author of the book, understanding the highfunctioning alcoholic and has been featured frequently in the media including the new york times and has appeared on the oprah winfrey show, the today show, the cbs early show, npr and is a blogger for. I had a dominant personality, a steady job, and a serious drinking problem. Download it once and read it on your kindle device, pc, phones or tablets.
Ask your doctor about getting help whether its from a therapist, psychiatrist, or other addiction specialist. Not everyone who has a drinking problem is falling down on a park bench with a brown paper bag. How to identify a highfunctioning alcoholic ways to. Alcoholism has many faces and high functioning alcoholics are invisibly among us every day. The alcohol is interfering with their family, their friendships, their job, and their health. A must read if you are wondering if you might have a problem. When one hears the word alcoholic for most people a picture comes to mind of someone whose life is in disarray because they drink too much. Also check out her blogs on psychology today and her interview and excerpt from the book on. They are called highfunctioning alcoholics, and they have all the outward signs of success. If constant drinking problems are affecting you or someone you love, this is a must read. Signs of high functioning alcoholic and alcoholism rehab. Professional views and personal insights, she has been sober. Living with a functioning alcoholic stop drinking expert. Actor channing tatum is one of a string of highprofile sufferers, admitting in gq magazine that hes a highfunctioning alcoholic.
It is a thorough and insightful discussion of an often misunderstood and mistreated clinical group that frequently does not respond well to traditional psychotherapy, or psychopharmacology, or simply twelve step approaches. The most famous highfunctioning alcoholics infographic. Sarah allen benton in understanding the highfunctioning alcoholic how highfunctioning alcoholics are wired. The results are confidential, so be honest about your drinking over the past year.
Sarah is author of the book understanding the highfunctioning alcoholic and has been featured in ny times articles by jane brody and rob walker, has appeared on the oprah winfrey show, cbs early show, siriusxm and npr. She was formerly a primary therapist at turnbridge mens extended care for addiction in new haven, ct. Benton calls them, are in denial about their abuse of alcohol. Although he had been a highfunctioning alcoholic since the age of 15, his social anxiety, genetic predisposition, and turbulent family life ultimately turned him towards more dangerous habits. Professional views and personal insights, a book that profiles. Families of high functioning alcoholics soberrecovery. Through my new book and this blog, i intend to increase awareness and to facilitate dialogue about highfunctioning alcoholics and the. It is a thorough and insightful discussion of an often misunderstood and mistreated clinical group that frequently does not respond wellto traditional psychotherapy, or psychopharmacology, or simply twelve step approaches.
Sarah allen benton is hardly your stereotypical alcoholic. Understanding the highfunctioning alcoholic by sarah. A book most of us high bottom, high functioning alcoholics can relate to. Why its difficult to convince a highfunctioning addict or alcoholic to get help. The paperback of the understanding the highfunctioning alcoholic. Sarah allen benton is a licensed mental health counselor at the emmanuel college counseling center in boston and has held several counselor positions at mclean hospital in massachusetts. It is a thorough and insightful discussion of an often misunderstood and. When confronted about their using or drinking, highfunctioning addicts or alcoholics will often list their numerous successful achievements as evidence for why they dont need to seek help. Use features like bookmarks, note taking and highlighting while reading understanding the highfunctioning alcoholic. In this unprecedented book, mental health counselor sarah benton takes us into the worlds and minds of socalled highfunctioning alcoholics, to understand how people so intelligent and achievementoriented get drawn into states in which they secretly cannot control their liquor consumption but still manage to excel in their careers. Understanding the highfunctioning alcoholic sheknows. This is a guest post by chris scott about the perils of being a highfunctioning alcoholic.
Because so many can justify their drinking habits, and put the ol guilt spin on it. Sarah allen benton, primary therapist, turning point, new haven, ct. Mental health professional and recovering alcoholic sarah allen benton shares her struggles in this excerpt from understanding the. They may be college educated, have partners or are. According to the book understanding the highfunctioning alcoholic, which built on the basic factors identified in the latent class analysis model, highfunctioning alcoholics have certain characteristics. If you experience these symptoms around the time of day that you usually start drinking, it is a sign that you are a highfunctioning alcoholic and need help. They appear to the outside world to be managing life well and defy the alcoholic stereotype by being. When people say the word alcoholic, they instantly have a vision of an old man sitting in a park with a paper bag, with a can in it. Some of the behaviors and symptoms described in the quiz may not seem serious, but they can be warning signs that a.
Are you concerned that you may be living with a functioning alcoholic but cant quite read the signs. Understanding the highfunctioning alcoholic psychology today. Breaking the cycle and finding hope by sarah allen benton at barnes. Answer the questions below to find out if you have signs of a problem. Six signs that you are a high functioning alcoholic. Im interested in hearing from those whose spouse once was in that category or currently is. Sarah bentons book understanding the highfunctioning alcoholic is a gift to both clinicians and clients alike. However, there is another type of problem drinker known as a high functioning alcoholic. How can you tell whether regular drinking is actually problem drinking. Highfunctioning alcoholics are highly skilled at leading double lives, ms. According to the book understanding the highfunctioning alcoholic 3 by sarah benton, a licensed mental health counselor, a highfunctioning alcoholic is defined as a person who defies the stereotype of the image of the typical alcoholic. A highfunctioning alcoholic is someone who habitually drinks an unhealthy amount of alcohol while maintaining some level of professional. The term highfunctioning alcoholic hfa had been an accurate description of me since i was 18.
How to overcome being a highfunctioning alcoholic cathy. The author of understanding the highfunctioning alcoholic. Highfunctioning alcoholics often hide the severity of their abuse from friends and loved ones. Many highfunctioning alcoholics will deny their struggle with alcohol addiction. These credentials alone were enough for her to write the highfunctioning alcoholic. Understanding the high functioning alcoholic benton. Also check out the highlyrecommended book, understanding the high functioning alcoholic. A functioning alcoholic is someone who manages to maintain a level of productivity, by keeping up with their responsibilities, work, and professional life, while still suffering from an addiction to alcohol. Understanding the highfunctioning alcoholic by sarah allen benton is a life changing book in my opinion.
Highfunctioning alcoholism and the dangers of denial. For alcoholics, withdrawal can look like anything from feeling depressed or anxious, increasing irritability, or feeling nauseous or tired for an extended period of time. High functioning, but still alcoholics the new york times. This book helps to bridge the gap between the stereotypical homeless, destitute alcoholic and everyone else. Sarah allen benton, ms, lmhc, lpc, aadc, is the author of the book, understanding the highfunctioning alcoholic and has been featured frequently in the media including the new york times and has appeared on the oprah winfrey show, the today show, the cbs early show, npr and is a blogger for a licensed mental health counselor and coowner of benton.
Functioning alcoholics high functioning alcoholics individuals who struggle with living a normal life as a result of their alcoholism. Professional views and personal insights, by sarah allen benton, a licensed mental health counselor. The homeless person and the highpowered executive can both be alcoholics. Organizations like the american society of addiction medicine can guide you to help, too. Ways to approach the highfunctioning alcoholic in your. Mental health counsellor and author of the book understanding the highfunctioning alcoholic sarah allen benton defines a highfunctioning alcoholic as someone who can manage their life, such as a job, home, family, and friendships, all while drinking alcoholically. Not all alcoholics fall into this stereotype, however. I guess im trying to find ways to prevent this from getting any worse and i suppose, just some empathy. If youre the loved one of someone in either group, its important that you know how to deal with an alcoholic effectively, with consideration to their symptoms and lifestyle, if you want to help them get well. Sarah allen benton with a focus on recovery and treatment, this volume identifies the characteristics, behaviors, and experiences of the highfunctioning alcoholic and highlights the struggles of. A highfunctioning alcoholic is a person who is able to maintain what appears from the outside a successful, normal life. Coworkers, relatives and friends often enable the abusive behavior to continue by.
Learn the traits and dangers of the highfunctioning alcoholic from addictions expert sarah allen benton, author of understanding the highfunctioning alcoholic. They use their successes in life to justify their drug abuse. Highfunctioning alcoholics may not seem to need help at first. Functioning alcoholic living with a functioning alcoholic. Understanding the highfunctioning alcoholic excerpt. Director of behavioral health, northeastern university health and counseling services assistant clinical professor, tufts university school of medicine sarah bentons book understanding the highfunctioning alcoholic is a gift to both clinicians and clients alike. The paperback was published in 2010 by rowman and littlefield publishers. A highfunctioning alcoholic hfa is a person who maintains jobs and relationships while exhibiting alcoholism statistics from the harvard school of public health indicated that 31 percent of college students show signs of alcohol abuse and 6 percent are dependent on alcohol. Doctors hope that the new definition will help identify severe cases of alcoholism early, rather than when the. Highfunctioning alcoholism is harder to identify because it doesnt fit the drunk stereotype.