Addiction doesn’t always look as messy as you might imagine it would. Sometimes it’s easy to spot, such as when the addicted person loses everything — their job, their relationships, their home. But sometimes, addiction hides behind a facade. To the outside world, it looks like the person has got it all together. They may have a steady job, do well in their career, and maintain a social life. But deep down, they might feel like they are falling apart.
If you can relate, you might be dealing with high-functioning addiction — a type of substance use disorder that is easy to overlook because, on the surface, everything seems fine.
High-functioning addiction is when someone struggles with substance use but is still able to maintain the appearance of a normal life. It means that, despite using drugs or alcohol regularly, you’re still managing your responsibilities and could even be excelling at them.
Because of this, it can be challenging to recognize the severity of the problem. You might think, “I can’t be addicted — I have a great job, I’m successful, I have friends and family who love me.” But addiction isn’t just about what others see; it’s about what’s happening inside. You might be getting through the day, but are you just trying to survive?
Common Signs of High-Functioning Addiction
If you’re wondering whether you or a loved one might be struggling with high-functioning addiction, here are some signs to consider:
- You rationalize your substance use: Do you find yourself justifying how much or how often you drink or use drugs? Maybe you think, “I only drink wine, so it’s not a big deal,” or “I only use substances to unwind after a stressful day.” Rationalizing or downplaying your use is a common sign that you might be more dependent than you think.
- You keep it hidden from others: You may feel a need to hide your substance use from others. You may drink alone or use drugs when no one is around. You might be good at covering it up, but the secrecy is often a sign of shame or guilt, indicating that deep down, you know there’s a problem.
- You experience withdrawal symptoms: Do you notice you are feeling irritable, anxious, shaky, or depressed when you haven’t used it in a while? These could be signs of withdrawal, which means your body has become dependent on the substance.
- Your tolerance is increasing: Tolerance means you need more of the substance to achieve the same effect. If you find yourself consuming more than you used to, or your usual amount isn’t giving you the same relief or pleasure, this is a sign of growing dependence.
- You use substances to cope with stress or emotions: Do you reach for a drink or drugs as a way to handle stress, anxiety, sadness, or even boredom? If substances have become your go-to coping mechanism, it could indicate you’re using them to deal with emotions that you’re not addressing in a healthy way.
Additionally, if your friends or family have expressed concern about your use, it might be time to take a closer look. It can be easy to brush off their concerns, thinking they don’t understand or are overreacting, but often, those closest to you can see what you can’t.
You might have made promises to yourself and said you would stop after a certain time or that you are limiting yourself to just one drink. You may find it impossible to stick to these promises and that you cannot cut back even if you want to. This can be a key sign that you are struggling with a substance use disorder.
Why It’s Hard to Recognize High-Functioning Addiction
High-functioning addiction can be hard to identify. You might think that addiction only happens to people who hit rock bottom, but addiction doesn’t discriminate. It can affect anyone regardless of how well they appear to be managing life on the surface.
You may also feel a sense of pride in being able to “hold it all together” despite your use, thinking that you’re stronger or more disciplined than others. But this mindset can prevent you from seeing the reality of your situation and getting the help you need.
Just because you’re able to function doesn’t mean your addiction isn’t harming you. In fact, it can be even more dangerous because it goes unaddressed for so long. Prolonged substance use can have severe consequences on your health, relationships, and mental well-being. You might be able to manage today, but over time, addiction tends to escalate, leading to potentially life-threatening consequences.
If any of these signs of high-functioning addiction resonate with you, it’s important to know that you’re not alone — and there is no shame in reaching out for help. At Stone River Recovery Center in San Antonio, Texas, we can help those struggling with substance use or mental health disorders. To learn more about our detox services and inpatient and outpatient programs, please contact us today.
