Behaviors of Functioning Alcoholics

There are many misconceptions about alcoholism, especially when it comes to "functioning alcoholics." Though the title says "functioning," these individuals are by-no-means functioning in a healthy or a positive manner, they are simply alcoholics that have not yet hit rock-bottom. The danger of a "functioning alcoholic," is that they are engaging in much of the risky behavior that regular alcoholics engage in, including binge-drinking, blackout drinking, drinking and driving, and consuming dangerous amounts of alcohol.

Here are some of the behaviors that functioning alcoholics often engage in:

Daytime Drinking

This is not getting together with a few friends for a glass of wine at lunch, this is hardcore drinking during the daytime, often starting within minutes of first waking up. This includes drinking before work (in order to keep Blood Alcohol Levels up throughout the day), or even drinking from wake to sleep on weekends.

Drinking and Driving

A functioning alcoholic is called that because even though they are a full alcoholic, they still are usually getting their daily duties accomplished. The dangerous part of this, is that they are usually heavily intoxicated while getting those daily duties accomplished, this often includes driving while drunk.

Drinking Until Passing Out

For severe alcoholics (functioning alcoholics included), it is very difficult to fall asleep naturally and enter into a healthy REM state of dreaming -- the state in-which you get most of your rest throughout the night. Instead of entering into a natural sleep state, alcoholics will usually simply drink until they blackout and pass out. This is not a natural sleep, and the brain is not entering its natural sleep mode. This means the individual is not gaining any benefits from the sleep, and the "pass out time" usually only lasts a few hours. Alcoholics that wake up after only a few hours of "sleep," will usually continue drinking until they pass out again.

Severe Alcoholism and Functioning Alcoholism Can Be Treated:

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