You may have noticed that your partner drinks more than most people. Most people drink more than that.
Does it seem that they need alcohol on every date? They may always be drinking, whether you’re cooking at home, at the beach, or with friends at a board game night.
Have you ever spent a night with your partner without them having a drink at hand?
They may seem reliable and responsible even though they drink. Do you think they may be a “functional alcoholic”?
What you can do if you think you’re dating an alcoholic who is a “functional alcoholic,” and how you can tell.
What does it mean to be a functional alcohol?
A functional alcoholic is someone who seems to live a normal lifestyle but has an addiction to alcohol.
This is what you would call a “functioning alcoholic.” This means that the individual is still able to function.
They have stable jobs, and they are connected to their friends, families, and communities. They are still dependent on alcohol, and some might even say they are addicted.
You won’t find functional alcohol stumbling around drunk, but you will see that they can’t get through the day without drinking. Around 15 million Americans may be affected by alcohol.
Do not ask if the person is addicted to alcohol.
Denial is a part of the discourse of a functional alcoholic. Asking them if they believe they have an alcohol problem is pointless.
Here are some things to look out for when evaluating whether you are dating an alcoholic.
- At least three drinks per day are required.
- You may be asked to cover them if they are so intoxicated that they have the side effects. You may be asked to tell their employer that they are sick so that they can’t work.
- You might be asked to lend them money because they have spent all their money on alcohol. Drinking can cause them to forget their commitments, whether it’s with you or someone else.
- Alcoholics may enjoy a social life, but they hide their daily drinking habits by drinking in secret.
- Functional alcoholics can be moody or irritable due to the fact that they have to hide their drinking habits and the effects of alcohol.
- If you ask someone to reduce their drinking or comment on it, they may accuse you or claim that you’re the one who is the problem. They will say, “It’s just a couple of beers, nothing to worry about.”
Addiction to alcohol is progressive.
It may seem that your boyfriend is an alcoholic or that you are married to someone who is a high-functioning addict, but there have been no repercussions.
You may be so in love with your partner that you want to close your eyes and ignore the problem.
It can be simple to make this change because their drinking may not have reached a critical point that will affect their life.
You tell yourself that they have a good relationship because you know they have a house and a job and have not been arrested for DUI.
As this disease advances, you should be aware that your partner may face a downward spiral. This could include job losses, increasing debt, health issues, and a decline in their relationships.
No matter how good your partner is right now, a relationship with alcohol can never be trouble-free.
Signs you’re dating a drunken person & What you Can Do
Here are some signs you may be dating an alcoholic and what you can do about it.
They drink a lot. If you notice that your partner drinks more than usual, it could be a sign of a problem with alcohol. You may see them drinking from the moment they arrive home until they fall asleep.
You can make it easier for yourself by not trying to change the way they drink or count their drinks. It will probably end in an argument.
They forget things
Have you noticed that your partner forgets when you tell them something important or that they don’t remember when you asked them to come for dinner? You may have this problem if you are married to an alcoholic.
You may want to drive them or avoid certain social events if you’d like them to come with you for dinner or other important events.
You feel unsafe
You may feel uncomfortable around your partner and not know why. You may feel unsafe around your partner because they are saying or doing things that you do not like.
You should not, for example, ride in the car with someone who has been drinking.
It would be best if you instead insisted on not going anywhere or being the designated driver when you do go out. This can be a burden over time, but it is sometimes necessary to stop your partner from driving drunk.
Sober, they are a different person.
You may start to notice that your partner behaves differently when sober. When they can’t get their drink, they might say crazy things or become irritable and moody. It is not acceptable for them to take their frustrations out on you.
Staying away from your partner if you notice mood swings is better than waiting for them to sort out the problem on their own. You can avoid verbal abuse and worse.
They don’t always seem drunk.
Some people may consume a large amount of alcohol but not appear drunk. It does not necessarily mean they are not. If you think about the meaning of functional alcoholic, it means that someone can be drunk and go through their day without anyone noticing.
This does not mean they aren’t intoxicated or that it’s not a disorder that they need to overcome. This can be detrimental to the entire family.
When it comes to responsibility, they are lacking.
A person with a drinking problem may find it difficult to carry on their normal day.
It may be difficult for an alcoholic to function. They may lose their jobs, become unable to maintain their hygiene, and many other things.
You can’t do much if it happens to you in your relationship. You cannot do their work or improve them. You must take care of yourself and your children if you have them.
You are being called names and insulted.
Has your partner ever said something mean about you? It can happen sober or drunk. It doesn’t necessarily mean these things are true or that they have feelings for you.
Alcohol can lower inhibitions. People may say or do things that you would not expect. For your well-being, take everything they say lightly.
