Wednesday May 6, 2009, 11:50 pm
"In recovery from alcoholism for the last five years, she has written an enlightening new book about people like herself, “Understanding the High-Functioning Alcoholic” (Praeger Publishers).

As Ms. Benton describes them, high-functioning alcoholics are able to maintain respectable, even high-profile lives, usually with a home, family, job and friends. That balancing act continues until something dreadful happens that reveals the truth — to themselves or to others — and forces the person to enter a treatment program or lose everything that means anything.

A Hidden Problem

Typical high-functioning alcoholics, or H.F.A.’s as Ms. Benton calls them, are in denial about their abuse of alcohol. Coworkers, relatives and friends often enable the abusive behavior to continue by refusing to acknowledge and confront it.'

Read more at site..

Thursday May 7, 2009, 4:27 am
I lived for 6 years with a high-functioning alcoholic. many of his friends were too and it was only after I was out of the relationship, that I could see it!

Thursday May 7, 2009, 8:01 am
I know alcoholics that have been high functioning for decades.
But if you don't quit drinking, your life will turn into chaos
sooner or later.
As for myself, I was a heavy drinker (an alcoholic in denial, of course) for some 25 years. Except for the last 2 years or so, I was functioning OK.
However; next month I have been sober for 18 years!
And I mean -clean as a whistle- no alcohol, no cannabis, nothing!
How about that?
I don't believe in any chemical solutions; end of story...

Thursday May 7, 2009, 6:05 pm
Ben..that is awesome..Way to go..congratulations to you on your sobriety..And I agree..any and all chemicals are dependency..You should be very proud of yourself..

Chrissy..that is the hardest part of one being 'high functioning' not only do they convince themselves they are not an alcoholic..but they will do their damnedest to convince others..I'm glad you got away from that..It never turns out good..It only gets worse as long as they refuse to seek help..

Friday May 8, 2009, 3:27 am
Thanks Dee,
it's a long, long road to full recovery...

Saturday May 9, 2009, 3:09 pm
Well for you my friend..I hope it has been a good road..