When you think about what constitutes being an alcoholic, do you think it means getting drunk every day to the point that someone must struggle to live his (or her) life in an average manner? If so, your belief isn’t accurate.
Many folks who drink alcohol to excess perform their jobs successfully, maintain satisfying home lives and have fruitful social relationships. They are dependable and industrious, and they even hold positions of prestige and power. Yet despite all of their personal and work-related achievements, they fall into the clinical classification of an alcoholic. They’re called “functional alcoholics.” Do you or people around you suspect that you fall into that category?
The office of Hackensack is committed to helping patients by using empathy and a broad spectrum of knowledge. We provide the highest quality of skilled and experienced psychiatric care. When treating our patients, we tailor the healing to address each person’s needs. And you can rest assured that we exercise the utmost confidentiality.
Recurrent regular drinking and occasional binge drinking are signs of alcohol abuse. Do a brutally honest “deep dive” and think back on if you’ve ever told yourself or others, “I can’t be an alcoholic because I have a great job and lots of friends, and I pay my bills on time.” Or maybe you’ve insisted, “My drinking hasn’t made anything in my life fall apart.”
Because a functional alcoholic appears to live his (or her) daily life well, his habit doesn’t seem to pose a problem. This is one reason why his family, friends, acquaintances or coworkers avoid or shy away from confronting him. Also, many functional alcoholics don’t realize—or don’t want to realize—how much of a toll their alcohol use takes on just about every aspect of their lives.
Functional alcoholics are at just as much of a risk as heavier drinkers for letting alcohol have numerous negative impacts on their lives now or in the future. It’s inevitable that some parts of their lives—particularly their families—are being damaged.
If you suspect or know that your alcohol use is making negative impacts on your life and you want to turn your life around, look to Hackensack. We maintain a position at the forefront of advances in support and offer effective solutions to treat your condition. For more information about how we can help you, please don’t hesitate to call today.
