3 Steps to Quit Being a Functioning Alcoholic

Know when to seek help before you hit rock bottom.

Most people don’t believe they have an alcohol addiction because they can juggle between jobs and function properly in their daily lives.

I once dated a guy with alcohol addiction. On the surface is the charmer, eloquent, smart, and elegant. But catch him unexpectedly at home, you do be shocked by the amount of alcohol consumption he takes daily. Empty bottles of alcohol lying about in his bedroom, living room, kitchen; just about every corner had either an empty bottle or a half-finished one.

I did not realize he had a problem and needed medical help until I started sleeping over at his place. He avoided sleeping over at my house for the short time we dated. I assumed he was only a gentleman. That is how deceiving looks can be.

The first time I slept over, he woke up to work in the middle of the night. So I thought. By morning, I noticed one of the half-finished bottles of vodka I kept in the kitchen was gone. I didn’t make anything of it. I took a shower, got dressed, and left.

When I returned in the evening, I noticed three more empty bottles lying on the floor in the parlor, and he was passed out beside them. It took hours before he regained consciousness. That was when I confirmed he was a functioning alcoholic.

These people act normal on the outside and may try to mask their addiction with an active social life. Because they never miss deadlines, pay rent when due, and don’t get drunk in front of people, they refuse to accept they have an alcohol problem.

Functional alcoholics may not even drink every day, but they often binge or drink heavily every few days.

If you can’t stop drinking once you start, drink to numb the painful feelings, or keep drinking despite the negative effects, you may be suffering from alcoholism, no matter how many times a week you go to the gym or show up early at your job.

If you match any of the above descriptions, here is a way to quit your addiction and get clean.

Step 1: Identify your triggers

Most people with functioning alcoholism have dysfunctional relationships experiences. Their alcoholism lies underneath family neglect, abuse, and other irresponsible behavior attributable to drinking.

If your past experience is about abandonment or neglect, you may feel the urge to drink whenever you are alone. It is important for you to know the root cause of your addiction before you can detect what triggers it.

What places, experiences, and emotions make it hardest to resist picking up the bottle? Try to set an alternative mechanism to deal with your feelings in these difficult situations, so you don’t have to improvise on the spot or default to drinking.

Step 2: Start drinking less frequently

Once an addiction to alcohol has formed, the body will experience withdrawal symptoms if enough time has passed without the substance.

Some people might drink more to avoid these uncomfortable symptoms. Instead of stopping abruptly, start drinking sparingly so that withdrawal symptoms don’t force you to drink more than you should.

As your body normalizes to taking two bottles (or less depending on your volume in-take) every week, reduce your intake to one bottle every week and continue to reduce your alcohol consumption until you no longer feel the urge to drink.

Step 3: Join a support group

Speaking about your addiction to people with similar experiences can help motivate you to quit your addiction faster.

You can learn from people who are going through similar processes to overcome their addiction. Support groups help many people find empathy and understanding among others who are going through a similarly difficult time.

Being surrounded by people who understand and support each other can help you gain valuable insight into substance abuse, several behavioral and mental struggles, and how to wither each stage of withdrawal you may not be aware of.

Don’t be ashamed to seek professional help

In some cases, alcohol withdrawal can be dangerous or even fatal. Some people find the symptoms mild enough that they can ride them out by themselves.

But if you drink a lot, you can have seizures, hallucinations, and even life-threatening heart diseases. It’s best to talk to your doctor before trying cold turkey on your own.

Experienced professionals can help you work out your emotional triggers and develop new coping strategies.

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