Many imagine alcoholism drunkenly passed out on park benches clutching an empty bottle in a paper bag. But some alcoholics have good jobs, nice homes, and stable family lives. Outwardly, they do not have problems with alcohol. These are high-functioning alcoholics.
It is difficult to detect their drinking because it does not interfere with their lives. And if you comment on their alcohol consumption, they will justify their drinking with the following excuses.
17 phrases to justify drinking alcohol
What is high-functioning alcohol?
Typically, a high-functioning alcoholic is middle-aged, well-educated, and has a stable job, partner, and family life.
Not all of them follow the same drinking regimen. They may limit drinking to certain occasions or times. For example, some may drink alone, others always drink at social gatherings, some drink every evening, and others may drink on weekends.
Whatever their drinking habits are, they are dependent drink alcohol, but give the impression that they are in control and use various excuses to justify their drinking.
- “I’m not an alcoholic, I only drink on weekends.”
- “I’ve worked hard today. I deserve a drink.”
- “Oh, take it easy, it’s just a couple of beers.”
- “I don’t get hung over, so I don’t drink too much.”
- “That’ll calm me down, okay?”
- “That’s my only vice.”
- “I don’t drink every day, so what’s the problem?”
- “I never drink when I’m working, only when I’m done for the day.”
- “It’s my way of letting off steam.”
- “It’s not like I drank cheap shit.”
- “It’s the weekend. Why shouldn’t I drink?”
- “I’ve had a stressful day today, so I’m going to have a drink to relax.”
- “Everyone drinks in the office, so why shouldn’t I?”
- “When did you see me drunk?”
- “It doesn’t affect my work, why are you complaining?”
- “I’m not an alcoholic; I just like the taste.”
- “You smoke, why can’t I drink?”
Examples of high-functioning alcoholics include:
- The partner who won’t have dinner with you because the drink kills the buzz.
- The weekend bar-hopping co-worker always comes to work on Monday.
- The wife always has a few glasses of wine for dinner.
- A colleague keeps a bottle of whiskey in his car.
- A family member who always tells me I only have one drink a few times.
- The friend who won’t come to an event without alcohol.
- This place always has “a few” at lunch.
- The teacher starts each day with a few vodkas.
- This dude can never have “just one beer”.
- The parents who knows every liquor store in town.
- The life and soul of the party is always a drink in hand.
How to Talk to a High Functioning Alcoholic
An alcoholic may not realize or admit that they have a problem, but their friends, family members, and co-workers are clearly drinking too much.
You may have tried to talk to this person and heard the excuses highlighted above. You may even have convinced yourself that their drinking is under control. But deep down, you know it isn’t.
If you’re reading this, I’m sure you want to help, but you don’t know how to approach the topic. After all, this is a sensitive issue and they may not want to admit that they have a problem. Here’s how to approach the problem.
Always remember to speak with kindness and compassion. Focus on the problem, not the person. Choose a private place where you can be open and honest and a time when you know they will be awake.
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Tell them you support them
Start by saying that you love and support them, but you are worried about their drinking and what will happen if they continue to drink.
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Say you’re worried about the future
Acknowledge that they work, have a partner and a stable home life, but you worry about how their drinking will affect these things in the future.
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Show how their drinking affects others
Find out how they drinkaffects people’s lives now, even if they don’t see it.
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Be prepared for rejection, apologies, and even anger
They may get defensive and say that they work, so they don’t have a drinking problem. But encourage them to think about how they rely on alcohol.
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Get in touch with support groups
Give them contact information for alcoholism support groups, treatment centers, or counselors.
Perhaps this conversation will not end well and they will be hurt or angry. This is not a problem that can be solved in one conversation. You will go through the process many times before the addict admits they have a problem or are ready to get help.
Let them know that you will be there to help them as soon as they are ready to know their drinking level.
Final thoughts
A high-functioning alcoholic may not think they have an alcohol problem. They argue that they can work and manage the family home without being affected by their alcoholism. And like others, they do not associate alcoholism with alcoholism.
However, even functioning alcoholics will eventually stop functioning, so they need to confront alcohol before they stop drinking. harms healthcareer and relationships.
Sub-editor and staff writer at Studying the mind
Janey Davies has been publishing online for over 10 years. She suffered from panic disorder for over 30 years, which led her to study psychology at the Open University and obtain an Honors degree. Janey uses her concerns to provide support and advice to others dealing with mental health issues.
