The High-Functioning Alcoholic

Understanding this Hidden Class of Alcoholics from a Professional and Personal View

Sarah Allen Benton is a Licensed Mental Health Counselor and author of Understanding the High-Functioning Alcoholic: Professional Views and Personal Insights. See full bio

October 20, 2009

Mothers Can be High-Functioning Alcoholics Too!

It is as though the image of the “mother” and that of the “alcoholic” seem contradictory. However, alcoholism does not discriminate and there are mothers who are able to fulfill their roles as mothers (in the literal sense), and even as professionals—therefore being high functioning. Those around them may not believe that these individuals could be alcoholic, because their outside life may appear “perfect”. Read More

September 22, 2009

Whitney Houston’s Interview on "Oprah" Revealed Common Misconceptions About What it Means to Be Sober

The Oprah Winfrey Show aired a 2-part interview with Whitney Houston on Monday, September 14th and Tuesday, September 15th. This revealing interview covered topics that the public has been waiting to hear about-from her relationship with Bobby Brown, to her daughter, to her career hiatus, to drugs. Read More

September 14, 2009

Sept. is Recovery Month!!! Some Reflections on Recovery...

Recovery Month is observed annually during the month of September. This month is dedicated to increasing awareness about the benefits of substance abuse treatment, and passes on the message that recovery from substance abuse including alcoholism is possible. Recovery month is meant to encourage people to take action in the expanding effective treatment for those in need. Read More

August 17, 2009

The Various Ways High-Functioning Alcoholics Hit Bottom

Each alcoholic has a unique bottom, and some alcoholics report having several bottoms along the way that they have ignored. Generally, high-functioning alcoholics (HFAs) experience bottoms that are emotional and internal—including feelings of shame, remorse, loneliness and/or hopelessness. Read More

July 22, 2009

The Most Tragic A&E “Intervention” Show Ironically Features a High-Functioning Alcoholic

I have often said that a movie or a TV show featuring a high-functioning alcoholic (HFA) would not be viewed as “dramatic” enough by today’s entertainment standards. An exception to this norm was the July 13th airing of the A&E show “Intervention” featuring Bret, an HFA, proved to be one of the most emotional and tragic episodes. Read More

July 2, 2009

Summertime: Wedding Season, Vacations- Meaningful Times or Excuse to Drink?

"It's the summer, why not have a good time and get drunk?"

"I'm on vacation, who cares how much I drink?"

"It's a wedding, let's celebrate, where's the alcohol?" Read More

June 16, 2009

Why some phase out of college binge drinking and others are alcoholic

There are 11 million underage drinkers and over 7 million binge drinkers nationally. Unfortunately, there is no clear way to determine which college students will phase out of binge drinking and which will continue. However, there are a number of risk factors that increase the chance of an individual being alcoholic. Read More

June 3, 2009

Ways to Approach the High-Functioning Alcoholic in Your Life

Recently, I have received numerous emails and blog comments from the loved ones of high-functioning alcoholics (HFAs) who are unsure how to deal with the HFA in their life. Loved ones of HFAs are often confused about how to approach these individuals because there is often a lack of tangible losses to point to, but instead emotional consequences. Read More

April 28, 2009

Social Drinkers, Problem Drinkers and High-Functioning Alcoholics

When the term "high-functioning alcoholic" is mentioned, various types of drinkers often begin to question their own drinking and worry if they fall into this category. Part of this confusion is that many individuals are unclear about the differences in charactersitics of social drinkers, problem drinkers and alcoholics. Read More

April 9, 2009

Assessing your drinking habits online

According to the National Epidemiological Survey on Alcohol and Related Conditions, only 25% of alcoholics ever receive treatment. High-functioning alcoholics (HFAs) and potential HFAs are the type of drinkers that need to take alcohol screening tests but are not always the ones that do. Read More

Books by Sarah Allen Benton, L.M.H.C.

Understanding the High-Functioning Alcoholic: Professional Views and Personal Insights (The Praeger Series on Contemporary Health and Living)

Addiction Basics

Millions suffer from debilitating addictions, leaving friends and family to watch them succumb to seemingly uncontrollable urges. Scientists are rethinking the biology and psychology of addiction, providing new clues to treatment.

Go to the Addiction Basics page for more on Addiction including:

Current Issue

Everyday Creativity

How to start living creatively and reap the benefits.

Subscribe to The High-Functioning Alcoholic

Books by Sarah Allen Benton, L.M.H.C.

Addiction Basics

Current Issue