High-functioning alcoholics often hide their struggles from loved ones and may be in denial. High-functioning alcoholics have built a resistance to alcohol’s sedative effects so they may not appear intoxicated. There are signs of alcoholism to look for in friends or loved ones, including:
- Drinking to feel confident or relax
- Hiding alcohol, denying heavy drinking, or becoming angry during confrontations
- “Morning drinking” or drinking alone
- Losing close friends or missing work or school
- Causing friends and family to make excuses for or worry about their drinking
- Having lapses in memory while drinking
- Joking about alcoholism or about having a drinking problem
- Drinking when they hadn’t intended to
The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders outlines criteria identifying substance use disorders. Learn how professionals diagnose an alcohol problem.