Alcohol use disorder, also called alcohol abuse, can take many forms. Some individuals binge-drink while others are high-functioning alcoholics. Being able to recognize the signs of alcohol use disorder in yourself or others puts you in a better position to seek help. Alcohol use disorder involves more than how often someone drinks. It is also determined by how frequently someone drinks, the effects, and consequences when they attempt to reduce or stop drinking.

Some experts believe that high-functioning alcoholics make up between 75%-90% of all alcoholics. High-functioning or functional alcoholics typically do not see themselves as alcoholics. They believe they only drink as a reward or relieve stress. Because they are able not just to keep their job but excel at it and maintain personal and intimate relationships, it appears to many that they do not have any issues with alcohol. However, they suffer from alcohol use disorder, just the same.

They never have just one drink and constantly crave alcohol. Their personality changes as they become intoxicated. In fact, some people who know high-functioning alcoholics have never seen their ‘real’ personality because the individual is drinking so often. When high-functioning alcoholics attempt to quit drinking, they tend to suffer more severe withdrawal symptoms than others with alcohol use disorder.

Another common type of alcohol use disorder is binge-drinking. When an individual binge drinks, they consume five or more drinks in under two hours. This kind of alcohol abuse tends to happen in social settings. The binge drinkers are not necessarily dependent or addicted to alcohol. Instead, their alcohol use disorder presents itself as not being able to regulate their consumption. Often, this kind of drinking leads to extremely risky behaviors like drunk driving.