With so many myths surrounding addiction, it’s easy to miss things with ourselves and our loved ones. As an example, people often think that drug or alcohol addicts are jobless, homeless and living on the streets. But this isn’t the case at all.
Roughly 70% of illicit drug users are employed full-time or part-time. Furthermore, of the 123 million Americans in the workforce, 65% say they drink alcohol, which is higher than the number of unemployed adults who consume alcohol.
With this in mind, it’s important to know that alcoholism can look very different from what you think. Some people are ‘functional alcoholics’ – people who are dependent on alcohol but can still function in society. While some of these people will have few consequences, others will progress and require intensive addiction treatment in Porter Ranch.
Could you or a loved one be a functional alcohol? Below are some signs to be aware of and how inpatient drug treatment can help.
Signs of a Functioning Alcoholic
Is it possible that you could have an alcohol use disorder? It may not be obvious when you’re drinking alongside coworkers, neighbors, friends or family, especially when you’re taking care of all your responsibilities. But there are some red flags to pay attention to.
- Drinking more than you intend
- Being unable to reduce your alcohol intake
- Spending a lot of time drinking and recovering from drinking
- Feeling strong urges to use alcohol
- Choosing activities where alcohol will be
- Drinking before getting together with friends
- Developing a tolerance
- Experiencing withdrawal symptoms
- Using alcohol in situations where it’s hazardous to do so (i.e., driving)
When to Seek Inpatient Drug Treatment
If you meet more than two of the signs listed above, you may want to consider undergoing a more formal assessment to see if you have an alcohol use disorder. This is especially important if you’re at risk for addiction. Something as innocent as having a few drinks after work each day can spiral out of control.
The good news is that you don’t have to wait until things get worse for you to seek intensive addiction treatment. You can start at any time – the sooner the better. This way, you can work through any underlying problems or mental health disorders and develop better ways to cope. You never have to suffer the negative effects of alcoholism such as fractured relationships, job loss, legal troubles and more.