17 Signs of a Functioning Alcoholic

May 25, 2023 –

Frequent binge drinking after daily responsibilities are taken care of
Justifying drinking as a way of unwinding after work, a busy day with the kids, or as a reward
Frequent intoxication and smelling of alcohol
Loss of control around alcohol use
Hiding alcohol in strange places such as the garage, at the office, in bushes or in the car
Drinking between work times or appointments, or drinking just enough to keep their alcohol levels topped up
Becoming irritable, anxious, restless and unable to sleep if unable to drink
Regularly drinking in the morning or at odd times of the day such as lunchtime in order to avoid alcohol withdrawal symptoms
Always drinking at social events and ‘preloading’ prior to attending a social event
Avoiding social events or activities that do not involve alcohol
Alcohol has become a problem at home, with either drinking excessively alone at home or disappearing to a pub or bar straight after work for hours
Becoming defensive or flippant when challenged over drinking
Denial, and reasoning that you/they can still hold down a job or take the kids to school on time
Alternating alcohol and prescription pills
Becoming erratic, spontaneous, angry or changing character completely while intoxicated
Difficulty in recalling events that took place whilst heavily intoxicated, or an ‘alcoholic blackout’
Risk-taking, such as driving to work or the school run whilst still over the limit from the previous night or from taking a morning drink