7 Signs of A Functional Alcoholic

No matter what the addiction may be, treatment is available for those who are willing to reach out and ask for help. With the right kind of guidance and support, you can overcome your addiction and live a healthier life without alcohol.

When you drink alcoholic beverages, they are absorbed into your bloodstream through your stomach lining. From there, these substances reach nearly every part of your body. They affect both your body and your mind. Alcohol is a depressant, which means it slows down your system and causes your heart rate and breathing to slow down as well. With repeated drinking over time, the liver starts to lose its ability to process the toxins properly. This can be fatal if left untreated for long periods of time.

While alcohol abuse can affect all aspects of an individual's life, there are some more common consequences that surface in most cases of addiction. These include but are not limited to:

- Legal troubles, both during use or when trying to recover.

- Loss of friends, family, or feelings of loneliness.

- Employment problems, whether it's loss or decrease in performance, Financial problems due to irresponsible spending habits.

- Relationship issues including divorce, domestic violence, and new sexually transmitted diseases.

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Do you know someone who’s always the life of the party, drinks every night, and never seems to get drunk? You may be dealing with a functional alcoholic. Alcoholism is a disease that affects millions of people across the United States, but not all alcoholics are created equal. There are different degrees to which alcoholism can affect a person’s day-to-day life. For some, it can be as simple as going out on Friday nights to have fun with friends while for others it might mean they need an emergency call at 2 am because they're too drunk and unable to drive themselves home from work. Here, we will discuss 7 signs that your friend or loved one may have alcoholism.


There is a lot of misinformation and dispute about alcoholism and what it means. But whether you think someone you know has an alcohol problem or not, there are specific signs to look for in order to determine if the person you know is in fact an alcoholic.

1. Physical warning signs:

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Redness in the face and nose, bloodshot eyes, slowed reaction times, impaired motor skills (walking, etc.), strong body odor from lack of bathing, and constant consumption of alcohol.

2. Behavioral warning signs:

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Excessive drinking over long periods of time, lying about the amount consumed or frequency, hiding stockpiles in odd places (such as in microwaves), evidence of withdrawal symptoms such as vomiting and shaking when "cut off" from alcohol, mood swings like a pendulum (including aggression and depression, especially in response to interpersonal conflicts).

3. Psychological warning signs:

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Low self-esteem and feelings of guilt or shame about drinking; lying ("I don't have a problem"), paranoia (fear that others are trying to "cut them off" or set traps), resentment of constructive criticism. They may ask for money, cars, and other possessions in exchange for affection.

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4. Loss of interest in activities:

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Alcoholics place partying and drinking above family, friends, work, and other responsibilities. Their lives become revolving around alcohol and not the other way around because they prioritize.

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5. Obsession with alcohol:

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This is different than just enjoying a good cold one after a long day at the office. Alcoholics literally think about alcohol all the time and can't seem to get through a conversation without mentioning it.

6. Drinking alone:

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Alcoholics often drink in secret, even if others are around. They'll go to great lengths to hide their drinking, especially if they know it's not "approved" or "normal."
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7. Inability to stop:

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Alcoholics find themselves wanting to cut back or quit drinking, but truly can't. They may not want to admit they have a problem and have no intention of stopping their habits without professional help.

Alcoholism is a chronic disease, one that people cannot overcome without help. This substance can be consumed in different forms, but all of them lead to the same result; when it is abused frequently, or in large amounts over short periods of time, it can cause serious damage to the chemical processes within the brain and throughout the body. Alcohol abuse has long-lasting effects on every aspect of a person's life including their relationships, job performance, and their home life.


Did you know that an estimated 15 million Americans have an undiagnosed addiction problem with alcohol, that’s one out of every 12 adults! Don’t wait another day before seeking help for yourself or someone else who is suffering from alcoholism. It can take between 20-30 years for an alcoholic to reach the point of physical dependence.