What Is a High Functioning Addict?
Many people have a common misconception that every substance abuser falls into the same category. A person who has a drug addiction or alcohol addiction is someone that is homeless or doesn’t have a job, and they have destroyed their lives and need to pick themselves back up again. In reality, several people fall into the category of being high-functioning addicts. A high-functioning addict is a person who can maintain the different responsibilities in their life while also maintaining their drug or alcohol addiction.
Signs of High Functioning Addiction
Do you have concerns regarding your behavior or that of someone you love regarding whether they are a high-functioning addict? Here are just a few examples of signs that a high-functioning addict may exhibit:
- Using a particular substance such as drugs or alcohol more than they intended
- Friends also have addiction issues
- Excuses are made for their behavior
- Losing interest in other hobbies
- Appearing ill first thing in the morning
Of course, the signs of a high-functioning addict can be specific for each person. However, if you’re experiencing these symptoms or your loved one is, you must reach out to help yourself or your loved one.
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Do Functioning Addicts Need Treatment?
A person categorized as a high-functioning addict absolutely needs help for their drugs and alcohol addiction. Whether you’re suffering from a meth addiction or a benzo addiction, you must dig into the events in your life that may have led you to a drug and alcohol addiction. This process is done through participating in different forms of therapy. Although therapy and drug treatment can sometimes feel awkward or uncomfortable, you must identify and address the root cause of your substance abuse to work through it. Here are some examples of addiction therapy that you will experience when you work with our clinical team:
Individual therapy
Individual therapy is a vital part of your recovery. There may be different events in your life that you simply don’t feel comfortable discussing with other people in a group setting. Our clinical team will speak with you in an intimate environment so you can address these issues. Individual therapy is also an excellent way to make changes to your addiction treatment plan to ensure that you can continue to make the most out of it.
Behavioral therapy
Throughout your active cocaine or heroin addiction, you would probably have picked up on specific behaviors that will not be helpful to you going forward in your sobriety. Behavioral therapy will help you not only address those behaviors but help you to avoid falling back into the same traits and behaviors in the future.
Group therapy
Group therapy is a crucial aspect of your overall treatment program. One of the downfalls of addiction is that it can make you feel as though you’re utterly alone in what you’re thinking and feeling; therefore, you dive deeper into your addiction. However, group therapy can help you see that you are not alone and that there are many other people you can turn to for help and support. During group therapy, you will have the opportunity to share your experiences and listen to the experiences of others which will help you to grow in your recovery and understanding of addiction.
Family therapy
Unfortunately, drug or alcohol addiction is something that can hurt the relationships that they have with their family. Once you get into the ins and outs of your treatment, you will have the opportunity to take advantage of family therapy. When you work with your counselors and your family in a neutral environment, you may find that you’re able to reconnect with these family members. Their added support can encourage you to continue taking steps in the right direction when it comes to your recovery.
Trauma therapy
The reason behind addiction, in many cases, is trauma. Trauma is something that can take place during childhood and also as an adult. For example, childhood trauma can revolve around abuse, while adulthood trauma can happen due to some type of physical event you experienced. Trauma is something that needs to be addressed in a personalized setting. During trauma therapy, you can manage those events in a way that doesn’t re-traumatize you and helps you move on with your life without feeling like you need to use any substance as a crutch.
Professions With the Most Functional Addicts
Realistically, a person can fall into the category of a high-functioning addict regardless of their profession. However, those that are in high-stress positions tend to be the people that suffer the most when it comes to falling into the trap of being a high-functioning addict. Veterans, law enforcement officers, attorneys, and even doctors can all be classified as high-functioning addicts. Considering the level of responsibilities, it’s scary and sad that they feel as though they need to maintain their addiction just to survive. Sadly, this is the trap that many people fall into.
Addiction Treatment Programs for High Functioning Addicts
After you detox from your substance of choice, you can take the concerted steps you need to overcome your substance abuse issues. This is something that is done through a personalized addiction treatment program. For many people needing detox before their drug treatment, an inpatient or residential treatment program is the best option. People with addiction need a safe and secure environment to heal from their alcohol or opioid addiction, especially during the first few weeks and months of treatment. The residential treatment gives you that environment while you start to heal from your substance of abuse. Whether you’re struggling with a fentanyl addiction, opioid addiction, or another substance abuse issue, an inpatient treatment plan for substance use disorders will provide the basis you need to grow and heal from your addiction.
We wouldn’t be one of the best addiction treatment centers if we didn’t offer other flexible treatment options. If you cannot commit to an inpatient treatment plan for your substance use disorders due to work, school, or other responsibilities, you can always opt to work through an outpatient treatment program. Outpatient treatment programs for alcohol or drug abusers come in many different shapes and forms. From partial hospitalization programs to intensive outpatient treatment plans to general outpatient addiction treatment, you can take comfort in that our addiction specialists will continue to check in with you and adjust your recovery program as needed.
If you are in a position where you work full time, you will likely find it easier to commit to an outpatient program. However, at the end of that treatment program, it would benefit you to decide to attend Alcoholics Anonymous or Narcotics Anonymous meetings. One of the great things about NA or AA meetings is that they occur nearly every day at different times. Since COVID, several virtual meeting options can make it substantially easier to attend meetings around your work schedule.
Muse Treatment Center Los Angeles – Top Rated Alcohol and Drug Rehab
At Muse Treatment Center, we focus on providing any substance abuser the opportunity to take advantage of a rehab program. We understand that every person that comes to our treatment facility has their own unique story, and we take the time to listen to your needs so we can partner you with a treatment plan that works best for you. Depending on the severity of your addiction, there is a strong possibility that you will need to begin your treatment in a drug or alcohol detox program before you start your rehab program. On average, drug detox lasts approximately seven days and allows you to go through the withdrawal symptoms you may experience as a result of your addiction. A drug or alcohol detox program gives you the peace of mind of knowing that a team of medical professionals surrounds you as you experience these withdrawal symptoms associated with your alcohol or drug addiction. At the end of drug detox, you will be in a better physical and psychological place to commit to drug addiction treatment with our team of addiction specialists.
When you’re ready to take the first steps in your addiction treatment and work with our addiction specialists, we encourage you to reach out to us and learn more about our recovery center for drugs and alcohol; please contact us at (800) 426-1818.
