Amber HollingsworthRecovery Conversation Simulator, Amber's Recovery Practice Lab · Interactive learning tool trained on Amber methodoloy

The Illusion of a Functional Alcoholic

15 Apr 2024 · 1 min

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0:30

Short excerpt from a YouTube video (Amber Hollingsworth) discussing how 'functional' addicts or alcoholics remain in denial because they maintain outward responsibilities (work, bills, school) until a key area of life is dropped. The speaker emphasizes that appearing to function (e.g., providing financially, attending classes) masks underlying addiction and delays recognition.

Chapters

He doesn't participate at his children's birthday parties because he's at Lowe's picking up lumber and a six pack.
I'm really glad you said that, because it's such an important thing. It does. Being a functional addict or alcoholic does keep a person in denial because they feel like, I can't possibly be an alcoholic, can't possibly be an addict. Like, I go to work, I'm making money, you know, I pay my bills, whatever. I'm passing my classes, you know, and it keeps them stuck in denial. But that's because they haven't dropped that one ball yet. But usually if you're to this level, that you would fall into this category.