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The family usually sees the first symptoms but is frequently unable to evaluate what those symptoms mean and often attributes them to other causes. The functional alcoholic DOES have personal problems that are caused by or related to the use of alcohol, such as:

Sleep problems                                              Spiritual problems

Flash anger problems                                   Financial problems

Relationship problems                                  Sexual problems

Thinking problems                                        Emotional problems

Mood problems                                             Self-esteem problems

Health problems                                            Family problems

Employment problems                                  Legal problems

Social problems

All these problems usually have alternative and very plausible explanations. How, then, does anyone identify a developing addiction problem? Certain things begin to happen and, when examined carefully, a pattern slowly emerges. The following list is by no means complete but includes indications of the types of things to look for. Remember, the alcoholic is often a brilliant super achiever, is employed, and frequently is an admired citizen, right there in the midst of his/her problem.

THE FAMILY SOMETIMES NOTICES THAT THEIR FUNCTIONING ALCOHOLIC MAY:

 1. Drink the first couple of drinks quite rapidly, but that isn't such a big deal, is it?

 2. Fix a drink first thing upon arriving home to relax, to calm down, after a hard day. It seems to be an innocent enough ritual.

 3. Require a drink before dealing with any family problems, e.g., Johnny's report card, washing machine breaking down, Aunt Matilda coming to visit, etc.

 4. Consume "a drink or two" more even after the others have quit.

 5. Have a ritually important night cap "in order to sleep."

 6. Frequently seem unable to have just one or two drinks but doesn't seem to get really "drunk."

 7. Show discomfort in situations where no alcohol is available, e.g., dislikes going to restaurants where no liquor is served, avoids even fun activities where there is no chance to drink.

 8. Make an excuse to leave a party early where the alcohol flow is moderate, even though his/her companion is having a good time.

 9. "Draw a blank" about conversations or happenings which occurred while drinking, which would normally be remembered (blackouts).

10. Explain his/her drinking even though no one asked.

11. Make a big deal out of not drinking for a few days, weeks, even months.

12. Make promises that aren't kept.

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The functional alcoholic DOES NOT NECESSARILY:

1. Get drunk every time he/she drinks

2. Drink a large amount

3. Have hangovers

4. Miss a lot of work

5. Drink during the day, week, or month

6.  Look bleary-eyed

7.  Have slurred speech

8.  Stagger

9.  Get unpleasant or belligerant with other people

10.  Drink in the morning

11.  Become physically abusive

12.  Crave a drink

13.  Show up late for work

14.  Have any kind of withdrawal symptoms

15.  Get a DWI

16.  Ever look drunk

17.  Have blackouts.

Tomorrow I will post a listing of what the functional alcoholic DOES!

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