54. Functioning Alcoholics/Addicts – Do They Really Exist?
The concept of a "functioning alcoholic" or "functioning drug addict" often elicits a sense of contradiction, challenging the conventional understanding of addiction. The term "functioning alcoholic" or "functioning addict" is frequently used to describe individuals who, despite having a substance abuse problem, are able to maintain a semblance of normalcy in their daily lives. These individuals may hold down jobs, fulfill family responsibilities, and engage in social activities while struggling with alcoholism and/or drug addiction. They may not exhibit the stereotypical signs of impairment that are commonly associated with substance abuse. It's important to note that the concept of a functioning alcoholic or addict doesn't imply that the person is immune to the negative consequences of substance abuse. Rather, it suggests that they are adept at concealing their struggles and maintaining a facade of functionality. Over time, however, the impact of substance abuse can take a toll on their physical and mental health, relationships, and overall well-being.
While some individuals may appear to function relatively well despite their addiction, it's crucial to recognize that this is not a stable or sustainable way of living. Substance abuse tends to have cumulative and detrimental effects over time, and seeking help and treatment is essential for addressing the underlying issues and achieving lasting recovery.
Functioning individuals with substance abuse disorders develop a tolerance to the effects of alcohol or drugs over time, allowing them to consume significant amounts without overt signs of impairment. Contrary to the stereotypical image of a non-functioning addict, those who are functional continue to excel in their professional and personal lives. They hold down jobs, fulfill family obligations, and maintain social connections, all while concealing their internal struggles. Functioning alcoholics and addicts master the art of hiding their battles. They deny the severity of their addiction, both to themselves and others, using denial as a coping mechanism to preserve a semblance of normalcy. Functioning addicts often justify their substance abuse as a means of stress relief, enhanced creativity, or other perceived benefits. These rationalizations further enable them to maintain functionality despite their addiction.
And so… the question lingers: Can one truly sustain a lifestyle as a functioning alcoholic or drug addict in the long run? While it may seem plausible in the short term, the consequences of such a life eventually catch up, challenging the very fabric of stability these individuals work so hard to maintain.
Substance abuse takes a toll on both physical and mental health. Despite their functional exterior, functioning addicts may experience deteriorating health, heightened stress, and mental health issues like anxiety and depression. Maintaining personal relationships becomes an uphill battle for functioning addicts. Loved ones may eventually sense changes in behavior, mood swings, and unreliability, leading to strained relationships and emotional turbulence. While functioning alcoholics and addicts may excel at work initially, the prolonged effects of substance abuse can jeopardize their careers. Decreased productivity, absenteeism, and impaired decision-making can unravel the professional facade they meticulously construct. Functioning alcoholics and addicts are not immune to legal repercussions. Driving under the influence, substance-related offenses, and other legal troubles may emerge, further complicating their personal and professional lives.
In my journey through the struggles of substance abuse and subsequent recovery, I've encountered numerous individuals who embody the paradoxical role of a functioning alcoholic or addict. One such example is a man named Johnny, a 54-year-old former top executive at a prestigious banking company, who held an impressive array of degrees and certifications. With a loving spouse, two beautiful children, and a desirable lifestyle featuring a huge house and luxury cars, Johnny seemed to have it all.
Alcoholism ran rampant in his family history and had claimed both of his parents, while his siblings battled their own struggles with excessive drinking. Johnny's journey with alcoholism began in high school, intensifying to a point where, during his college years, he was consuming hard liquor on a daily basis. Even with his daily drinking, he was able to graduate at the top of his class and begin his career in the banking industry. As he embarked on his professional career, Johnny continued his heavy drinking habits. His daily train commute became the setting for discreetly downing three to five "shooters" (the small liquor bottles that hold a shot of liquor) obtained from liquor stores. Over time, this evolved into a cycle of pre-work, lunchtime, and post-work drinking. The volume escalated, shifting from shooters to a full fifth of charcoal rum consumed throughout the day. One fateful day, Johnny broke his unwavering streak of never forgetting to grab a fifth of liquor for his next day’s morning commute to work. Despite the unprecedented lapse, Johnny wasn’t too worried and planned on getting his fix when the liquor store opened the following day. The next morning, during his train ride commute to New York City, Johnny experienced an unsettling trifecta of symptoms: an upset stomach, hand tremors, and intense cold sweats. Attributing these maladies to a possible viral infection circulating, he dismissed the issue as a passing inconvenience. After his train reached New York City, Johnny's immediate destination was the liquor store to replenish his daily alcohol supply. Quickly cracking open one of the fifths, he downed half of it in three substantial swigs. Astonishingly, within fifteen minutes, the tremors subsided, the cold sweats evaporated, and his stomach returned to normal. Unbeknownst to Johnny at the time, the distressing symptoms were withdrawals stemming from the absence of alcohol that morning. This episode marked a turning point, as he seldom missed another day without his daily liquor fix. Constant anxiety gripped him until he secured his regular alcohol haul. Astonishingly, Johnny maintained this routine for over twenty years, all the while excelling in his career, starting a family, and concealing the extent of his alcohol consumption from almost everyone around him.
However, as Johnny approached retirement, the toll of his excessive drinking began to manifest. Trying to sustain the same lifestyle without repercussions from his loved ones proved increasingly challenging. Fearing the judgment of his family, Johnny resorted to more substantial amounts of alcohol during his covert outings. Lies piled up, his physical and mental health deteriorated, and he became constantly anxious and agitated without a drink. Two years after retiring, Johnny found himself at rock bottom, contemplating suicide in his garage with the barrel of a loaded 12-gauge shotgun in his mouth and a liter of cheap, charcoal rum beside him. The culmination of a failed marriage (due to his drinking), financial ruin (due to his drinking), and the relentless grip of alcohol dependence pushed Johnny to the brink. Despite the depth of his despair, he fortunately couldn't bring himself to end his life (thank God). This pivotal moment led him to enter a rehab where he would begin to try and turn his life around. This same rehab is where Johnny and I met for the first time.
The story of Johnny serves as a stark reminder that the facade of functionality in the face of substance abuse is not sustainable in the long run. For 20 years, Johnny successfully navigated his professional and personal life while harboring a dark secret. However, the consequences caught up with him, forcing him to confront the devastating impact of his alcohol abuse in a rehabilitation center.
The kind of life led by individuals like Johnny, and countless others, will eventually come crashing down. Whether it's a year, two years, or twenty, the inevitable truth is that, eventually, the repercussions of long-term substance abuse catch up.
And remember, if you’re struggling, or know someone who is struggling, please don’t lose hope. If that had happened to me, I wouldn’t be able to help spread awareness today.
