Warning: This article contains discussion of alcoholism which some readers may find distressing.
The weekend is a time to rest, recharge and enjoy some leisure time with your loved ones - and for a lot of people, this involves heading to the nearest boozer and sinking a few.
There's no harm in having a catch-up with your pals over several cheeky pints, but while you're doing so, you might want to keep an eye on just how many you are all putting away.
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That's because your visit to the pub might help you pick up on signs that you, or one of your nearest and dearest, are actually a 'functioning alcoholic' who has an unhealthy relationship with alcohol.
Addiction expert Nuno Albuquerque has detailed all of the red flags you should look out for to spot a 'functioning alcoholic' who might let their mask slip while they are letting their hair down over the weekend, as well as sharing his advice for how you can help them.
The counsellor has helped a host of patients overcome their dependency issues and has nearly two decades of experience working with UK Addiction Treatment Centres.
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He believes that alcoholism, in any form, 'stems from trauma' and that there is 'always an underlying reason for addiction' - but when it comes to those who remain high-functioning, he says we can only kickstart their road to recovery by 'understanding what drives people to' it.
What is a high-functioning alcoholic?
A high-functioning alcoholic is a person who might not fit the typical stereotype of someone struggling with an addiction as they are so good at concealing it and keeping their lives in order.
Albuquerque defines it as someone with 'an addiction to alcohol but manages to go about their daily routine, therefore their drinking problem goes unseen'.
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"It may be surprising to know that your friend, who has a good and stable job, pays their bills, and is friendly and social, is secretly battling alcoholism," he explained. "This is what is commonly referred to as a high-functioning alcoholic, and most alcoholics are not able to sustain this way of living for very long."
Self-proclaimed former 'high-functioning alcoholic' Julie McFadden previously spoke out about the double life she was leading while keeping her struggle with booze under wraps.
She explained she didn't drink every day, still had a job, and had never been to jail, so those closest to her 'would not have considered her an alcoholic'.
What are the signs of a high-functioning alcoholic?
As we mentioned, a high-functioning alcoholic can be hard to recognise due to their ability to keep all of the plates in their life spinning.
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However, while you are enjoying a tipple over the weekend, there are a few red flags you can look out for.
You can begin by taking notice of certain traits that your friend might display, as a lot of high-functioning alcoholics often follow the same pattern.
Albuquerque explains that people who end up on this road often have problems in their personal lives which they want to numb, or a high-pressured job that they need to escape from.
But their behaviour can also be a cry for help - so if someone is 'constantly justifying their drinking habits' and 'can't just have one', the expert reckons these are signs that they need some assistance.
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He said: "High-functioning alcoholics may not act as you would expect, as they can continue working and running a family home without their alcohol abuse affecting their outward performance.
"In addition, many people wouldn’t associate themselves with having a drinking problem.
"However, this type of denial can creep up on those affected for years and, in the process, can severely damage a person’s relationships as well as their mental and physical health."
How does someone become a high-functioning alcoholic?
Although most of us couldn't imagine getting through the working day while feeling buzzed from the booze, high-functioning alcoholics often turn to the stuff to help them plough on.
The addiction expert reckons there are a myriad of reasons which can result in someone relying on alcohol in this way and shared his thoughts on how this happens.
Albuquerque explained: "Life can sometimes feel stressful and painful situations can arise. For high-functioning alcoholics, drinking may offer temporary relief.
"Other people with alcoholism may find themselves in financial difficulty, or maybe they’re experiencing relationship problems. It can be difficult to express or handle our feelings, so people may use alcohol to ‘numb the pain’.
"Furthermore, suppose you have responsibilities such as a job or children to take care of.
"In that case, you may use alcohol as a clutch to give you a perceived sense of strength to get through hard times."
However, he wants people to know that booze isn't the answer to overcoming these stresses in life, even if it doesn't seem to be getting in the way of your daily tasks - and believe it or not, there is light at the end of the tunnel.
So if you are struggling or spot any signs that your mates might be, it's crucial that you seek some help.
Please drink responsibly. If you want to discuss any issues relating to alcohol in confidence, contact Drinkline on 0300 123 1110, 9am–8pm weekdays and 11am–4pm weekends for advice and support.
Topics: Alcohol, Food And Drink, Health, Lifestyle, Mental Health
Olivia Burke