Harry02

I hope you don't mind me posting this here as it is something i have been thinking about. I am quite amazed at how people can actually function while still drinking, such as hold down jobs, still be social and basically have a pretty good life bar the addiction. Sometimes i think it's harder for those that have become "non" functioning to sort themselves, while at 21 i had the world at my feet, studying for a degree, in work, friends etc, at 31 i'm now more of a depressed unemployed hermit with no social skills.

Lily123

I've been both. It is hard if you're unemployed and become isolated. But in both scenarios I was not happy. I am shocked that I was able to hold a job and get good grades in my classes while drinking as much as I was. But I was holding on by a thread and really unhappy. Are you able to volunteer? That really helped me get out and started on a good path.

Harry02

Yes thinking about it i do realize that you can appear to have it at all but still be a suffering addict. But when you lose your social skills and become unemployed with no friends, i think this is worse. It's a double battle those that have been non functioning often have to rebuild lives without jobs, friends, social skills, money, family. So i do sometimes feel that some posters don't realise what they have.

Voluntary work is a consideration, but i shut myself away and meeting people has almost become a fear. My parents, the only 2 people i see are helping me fund a 3 day residential detox next week.

Dee74

I've been both too.

For me it was easier to decide to do something because I had so little of my life left by that time - it was wake up drink, buy more booze...drink...pass out...wake up...drink.

While I was still meeting my commitments and responsibilities (more or less) denial ruled....

D

Hope2014

This disease is progressive; "functioning" is merely a stage until you reach full blown alcoholism. Just add "yet" to what you haven't lost as a result of excessive drinking, because in time as it progresses, it will happen.

ScottFromWI

I follow the same line of thinking as hope...its really just different stages of the disease. Eventually it catches up with you in just about every part of life.

CaseyW

I was semi-functioning most of the time. Doing the bare minimum work I had to do to get my booze and keep not much of a roof over my head. But I've seen folks with big houses and fine cars and loving families who were in much worse shape then me drinking-wise. Alcoholism is alcoholism is alcoholism. I try to look for the similarities now instead of focusing on the differences.

Wishing you the best with that detox, Harry.

Pipping

When I was " functioning" I really was only working, socialising, eating and sleeping. I wasn't making plans for my future or making a real effort with friends and family. I could have studied part time but was too drunk of hungover. I think in the functioning stage excessive working and studying is typical of a lot of alcoholics as it provides a false front to yourself and others that everything is ok. My Father who is an alcoholic did this and I was the same. When I first quit I thought I was pretty high functioning but I realise now that having blackouts and vomiting after every meal is pretty much the bottom.

least

I was functioning, barely, but I wasn't paying my bills and wasn't engaging in my life. It was no decent life and I'm much better off now, sober.

Harry02

Hey guys, appreciate the replies. I'm now booked in for a detox in 5 days time for 3 days, i have the option of staying longer but struggle with the restrictions of the place i'm staying. When i get out i'm going to lock up my house and stay with family for a while. PS here is what a member recently posted, just in case anyone missed it, i'm abit foggy in the head to find the user right now.

'I drank for joy and became miserable.

I drank to be outgoing and became self centered.

I drank to be sociable and became lonely.

I drank for friendship and made enemies.

I drank to soften sorrow and wallowed in self-pity.

I drank for sleep and awakened without rest.

I drank for strength and felt weak.

I drank for relaxation and got the shakes.

I drank for confidence and felt unsure

I drank for courage and became afraid

I drank for assurance and became doubtful

I drank to forget thoughts and had blackouts

I drank for conversation and tied my tongue

I drank to be in heaven and I came to know hell

I drank to forget and became haunted

I drank for freedom and became a slave (of alcohol)

I drank to ease problems and saw them multiply

I drank to cope with life and invited death.

I drank because I had the 'right' to and everything turned out wrong.

Said this fellow, 'It must have taken a bunch of booze to get you in this shape?

I said, 'Just one. For me one is too many and a thousand isn't enough.'

Ruby Mae Heard

SoberHoopsFan

Functional is just a fancy word to cover up all of the things alcohol is destroying in your life by pointing to the one or two that it isn't (yet). I've learned that what I used to consider functional I now view as barely living at all

TReal

Hey good luck Harry! Hope it goes well and you stay clean. I never went to a detox center, and I have gone through withdrawal many times at home and on my own. It was hell, but I'm sure the place will keep you as comfortable as possible.