Understanding the High-Functioning Alcoholic

My book Understanding the High-Functioning Alcoholic: Professional Views and Personal Insights has just been released online. I am overjoyed to share it and hope the Q&A below will help clarify what a high-functioning alcoholic (HFA) is and my purpose in writing this book. This book is relevant for HFAs, loved ones and colleagues of HFAs, health care professionals, undergraduate and graduate classes and for the general public. I hope that this blog is raising awareness about HFAs and encouraging dialogue around this topic. I look forward to reading your thoughts and feedback.

Question: What is a high-functioning alcoholic (HFA)?

Answer: An HFA is an alcoholic who is able to maintain his or her outside life, such as a job, home, family, and friendships, all while drinking alcoholically. HFAs have the same disease as the stereotypical "skid-row" alcoholic, but it manifests or progresses differently. Many HFAs are not viewed by society as being alcoholic, because they have succeeded and over-achieved throughout their lifetimes. These achievements often lead to an increase in personal denial as well as denial from colleagues and loved ones. HFAs are less apt to feel that they need treatment for their alcoholism and often slide through the cracks of the health care system, both medically and psychologically, because they are not diagnosed.

Question: Why did you write this book?

Answer: I wrote this book because it was what I personally needed- but never received- when I was in the process of getting sober and then throughout my recovery. My intention is to make sense of alcoholism as it manifests in the HFA because their story does not fit the "skid row" alcoholic image that remains so pervasive in our society. I want to increase awareness that being successful and being alcoholic are not mutually exclusive, but that HFAs need help regardless of their seeming exterior success. My intention is to help end the denial that so many HFAs and their loved ones have around their alcoholism, because these individuals are able to succeed in so many areas of their lives.

Question: What is the hardest part about sharing parts of your own story so publicly?

Answer: For most of my recovery, I have kept the fact that I am a sober alcoholic private. I feared that in my professional life, people would judge me for being an alcoholic. In sharing my story, I am exposing various aspects of myself to the public and to those who know me. Although in the past, this would have made me feel very vulnerable, I am now proud to be sober. I have chosen to sacrifice my privacy in an effort to decrease the stigma of being alcoholic and to encourage HFAs to break through their denial and to get help.

For more information about this book and for alcoholism resources please visit: www.highfunctioningalcoholic.com