The Functional Alcoholic

Despite appearing 'normal'  in all aspects of their life the functional alcoholic is, infact, getting ever-closer to rock bottom. Every alcoholic has their own rock bottom. For some it can be the loss of their job. For some it can be the loss of their family whilst for others it may be loss of financial security. For the unfortunate few, rock bottom can be the grave.


When I commenced this blog I thought that it would be a cakewalk as I've experienced alcoholism from both sides of the fence. The more that I delve into this blog on alcohol abuse and options of alcohol treatment I am finding myself drawn to my own experiences. Please excuse this as it is a useful way to fully explain the complexities of alcohol abuse and alcohol treatment. Outside of perversion, theft and violence I pretty-well did it all.


For many years I was a functional alcoholic. I worked night-shift, came home and drank myself to sleep with no disruption to my 'life.' When my first child was born, alcohol (briefly) took second place. My drinking soon escalated again and my alcohol symptoms began to become evident. This was magnified when my second child was born.


I thought that I had hit my rock bottom when my marriage ended in 2002. Emotionally, I still believe this to be true. As far as alcohol was concerned, I had much further to go. I moved into a house close to my children. Paradoxically I headed down a path that saw me drinking 2 bottles of vodka on an almost daily basis. To say that I was on a path of destruction is such an understatement.

Despite my 2 bottle a day habit, I was still able to 'keep up appearances' for a while. As soon as 'cracks' appeared, they appeared big-time. Week-long blackouts, several hospitalisations for seizures associated with alcohol withdrawal (for which I remain on medication for), non-appearances at social events, a bloated appearance due to impaired renal function and often a beard....mainly because my shaking was so bad that I was unable  to hold a razor steady enough.


Interestingly, I would wake at whatever time of day or night shaking very badly. As soon as my hand became within a few inches of the vodka bottle, these shakes would stop. I was coherent enough to realise that there was a psychosomatic factor related to my alcohol abuse. The habitual factor had become so entrenched that it was now presenting as physical symptoms. I chose to ignore this.

So; for the functional alcoholic, bare in mind that this 'functional' state will end for whatever reason. Additionally, there are incredibly strong psychosomatic factors involved that are best addressed by finding a respected Psychologist.


When this occurs....and I sincerely hope that it does (for your well-being)....the next step is alcohol treatment.