People who suffer from addiction commonly face a range of negative stereotypes. Others may assume they have problems at home, generate low income, or do nothing outside of drinking and using drugs. People may also perceive them as angry and violent, or heavily drowsy and sedated at any given time.
In reality, addiction affects each person differently, and it does not discriminate. This disease can occur in anyone, including those who are intelligent, physically active, and have successful careers.
Someone with a high-functioning addiction may appear to be successful at life in general but struggles with substance use disorder (SUD) and its many related problems behind closed doors. Recent research shows that between 9% and 13% of C-suite executives struggle with drug or alcohol misuse, and this number could be as high as 45% in some industries.
These individuals may have great jobs, loving friends and family, and a long list of hobbies and interests, but rely on substances like marijuana and alcohol to make it through the day.
Increasingly, individuals with hidden addictions are also turning to new illicit drugs, such as xylazine and fentanyl, without understanding the implications they could have on their ability to function.
Approved in the U.S. only for veterinary use, xylazine is a depressant that can lead to drowsiness and muscle relaxation. Someone may take it, desiring a calming effect, only to realize that its effects are much more intense than expected. The substance is typically combined with fentanyl, though it’s also been discovered in mixtures containing other drugs like cocaine and heroin. Both xylazine and fentanyl can cause central nervous system depression, which can lead to confusion, drowsiness, and fatigue.
Even a small amount of these drugs can be deadly, so understanding the signs of a hidden addiction is critically important. 
The Hidden Struggle of Addiction
High-functioning people with addictions manage to maintain seemingly normal lives despite struggling with this disease. These individuals often excel in their careers, relationships, and responsibilities while secretly battling substance abuse.
Many times, they are skilled at hiding their addiction from others and at navigating daily life without allowing drugs and alcohol to negatively interfere. These individuals tend to be in denial about their substance use disorders and are unknowingly putting themselves at risk for serious physical and psychological health problems down the road.
Could you or a loved one be in a high-functioning drug addiction without knowing it? Here’s how addiction works, along with nine signs to watch.
Stages of Addiction, and How They Affect People Differently
Addiction doesn’t happen overnight — usually, it takes up to several months or years of substance abuse for someone to get caught up in the cycle of addiction. There are six main stages of addiction: initial use, experimentation, regular use, dependence, addiction itself, and recovery.
After initial use, those who eventually go on to have high-functioning addictions begin experimenting with drugs in social settings. They may also start using drugs and alcohol regularly to help them wind down after stressful, busy days.
These regular behaviors can often lead to tolerance and physical dependence. Tolerance is when the brain and body adapt to regular drug use, requiring a person to use higher amounts of the substance to achieve the same effects. Physical dependence is when a person requires a certain amount of drugs or alcohol to avoid experiencing withdrawal symptoms.
Addiction occurs when people become physically and psychologically dependent on drugs and alcohol, and require these substances to fulfill cravings and the euphoria they can no longer achieve on their own, naturally. Since addiction occurs gradually over time, individuals can make minor adjustments to their lifestyles as needed to continue abusing drugs and alcohol while also staying functional and maintaining an overall sense of normalcy.
Addiction is Not One-Size-Fits-All
Addiction can affect anyone, and should never be viewed as a one-size-fits-all condition. People become addicted to drugs and alcohol for different reasons, under varying circumstances.
For instance, a professional athlete can suffer an injury and unintentionally become addicted to painkillers after misusing their medication. Or, a university student could start using stimulants like Adderall to improve their focus and concentration so they can achieve better grades in school. A high-profile criminal attorney may start abusing benzodiazepines to self-medicate for depression and anxiety, and sleep better at night.
It can be difficult to spot a high-functioning drug addict, since these individuals are experts at showing the outside world that they are happy and can maintain successful professional lives and relationships. As time goes by, these individuals eventually start experiencing the negative effects of addiction, regardless of how well they’re trying to manage their condition.
9 Signs You May Have a High-Functioning Addiction
Addiction is considered a chronic brain disease. When left untreated, it can eventually lead to financial problems, domestic problems, worsened health, and a lower quality of life. Knowing the signs of a high-functioning addiction can help you determine whether it’s time for you or your loved one to get help in the form of professional addiction treatment.
Here are nine signs that indicate you may have a high-functioning addiction:
1. You’re Unable to Limit Yourself
As you continue using drugs and alcohol regularly, you may find it increasingly challenging to control and limit your use. For instance, you may plan on limiting yourself to only three alcoholic beverages or one joint of marijuana, but end up exceeding these limits throughout the night.
You may have a high-functioning addiction if you notice that your consumption of drugs and alcohol is gradually increasing, and you’re unable to stick to limits you set for yourself. Frequently experiencing blackouts or memory loss can also be a red flag — especially if you’re able to resume life as normal following these incidents.
2. You Make Excuses for Drug and Alcohol Use
High-functioning individuals with addiction will often look for excuses to justify their drinking and drug use. For instance, someone who works in politics may say they need to consume alcohol at important work parties and events to win over new supporters. This might apply to you if you’re constantly making up excuses for your drug use, or find yourself in denial about your addiction.
3. You Attempt to Cover Up Uncharacteristic Behavior
Drugs and alcohol often cause people to demonstrate uncharacteristic behavior, depending on the substance being used. For instance, those who abuse alcohol and opioids may exhibit slurred speech and lack of coordination while those who abuse club drugs like MDM or Ecstasy could display unusually friendly and warm behavior.
People with addictions will often look for valid ways to explain their uncharacteristic behaviors. They may blame the effects of opioids and benzodiazepines on simply being overly tired, or they may blame the aggression triggered by cocaine on being angry and upset about something that happened at work.
4. You’re Spending More Time with Friends Who Use
Those who suffer from addiction tend to spend more time with other people who also use drugs and alcohol. Spending time with friends who also use substances can negate feelings of isolation and loneliness commonly associated with addiction, and make people feel less guilty about their drug use. Take note of the people you’ve been spending more time with lately, and determine whether these individuals are negative influences driving your addiction.
5. You View Drugs and Alcohol as Rewards for Hard Work
Mothers may treat themselves to a bottle of wine at the end of the night to reward themselves for making it through another busy day of homework and childcare while top-level executives may abuse painkillers after stressful conference calls and meetings to reward themselves for a job well done. You may have a high-functioning addiction if you’re frequently using drugs and alcohol to reward yourself for various reasons.
6. You Blame the Consequences of Drug Use on Other Reasons
Many people with high-functioning addictions can successfully manage their everyday lives while suffering from this disease. But at some point, addiction catches up and triggers countless other issues that lead to more serious problems. This might be you if you find yourself blaming the consequences of drug and alcohol use on other reasons, such as being overworked or too stressed out to think clearly.
For example, a mother high on marijuana may forget to pick up her children from school or forget to attend parent-teacher conferences that are crucial for her children’s education. Instead of acknowledging that marijuana use may have contributed to poor memory, this mother may say that she’s been too tired or busy with household chores to remember these important times and dates.
7. You Find Yourself Preoccupied With Thoughts of Drug Use
Generally, those who suffer from addiction spend ample amounts of time thinking about drug use. They may entertain themselves with thoughts about using these drugs in social settings, or worry about how and when they can obtain more drugs. If you’re at work, spending quality time with family, or engaging in your favorite activities, yet find yourself constantly thinking or obsessing about drugs, then this may be a sign.
8. You Have Enablers Influencing Your Drug Use
Enablers are those who take responsibility for your drinking and drug use and make excuses to defend you from your addiction. Enabling can either be intentional or unintentional, and often occurs when your loved ones want to protect you, your feelings, and your overall well-being — even if they themselves are unaware you might be struggling with addiction. Enablers will allow you to keep abusing drugs and alcohol while covering up your behavior, and willingly accept the blame and consequences brought on by your addiction.
Many times, high-functioning addicts have enablers in their lives in the form of spouses, children, and best friends who may rely on them financially or as caretakers, and who want to avoid rocking the boat in regards to their alcohol and drug use. For instance, a wife and stay-at-home mom who manages several children may encourage her husband to drink if she knows that alcohol helps him manage stress associated with his job. A wife who allows her husband to consume alcohol may be seeking the peace of mind needed to feel financially and emotionally secure.
9. You Refuse to Get Help Because You Haven’t Hit Rock Bottom
Addiction tends to carry a stigma. Those who contradict this stereotype often refuse to get help for substance use disorders. Because they haven’t hit rock bottom or lost everything important in their lives, most people with high-functioning addictions feel that they do not have a serious problem. At the end of the day, addiction is just as harmful to them as to any other person, and should be professionally treated at a drug or alcohol rehab center.
Addiction Treatment Options
Individuals have countless treatment options when it comes to fighting addiction as a whole. Addiction treatment centers guide patients through overcoming physical dependence on drugs and alcohol, and offer a range of therapies that treat the psychological causes behind one’s addiction.
People with high-functioning addictions who also manage jobs, school, and family can benefit from knowing that most treatment centers will customize treatment plans in ways that best align with their clients’ lives.
Inpatient drug rehab is one of the most ideal treatment options. At inpatient rehab, clients live at the facility for the duration of treatment and have 24/7 access to doctors, nurses, and counselors devoted to guiding them safely through withdrawal. Treatment begins with drug and alcohol detox, followed by therapies that address the root causes of addiction.
At drug rehab centers, high-functioning addicts learn new skills and healthier coping methods for handling stress, depression, and anxiety without relying on drugs and alcohol. Clients are also introduced to hobbies and interests that not only replace drug use but are proven effective at encouraging sobriety. For instance, art, music, and exercise therapies can naturally help reduce stress and distract one’s mind from thoughts of drug and alcohol use.
While individuals with high-functioning addiction may be successful in their lives, abusing drugs and alcohol long-term increases the risk for serious health problems including mental health conditions, heart and lung disease, and cancer.
Later in life, these individuals also face a higher risk for problems involving finances and law enforcement. Getting help for addiction now can greatly reduce the likelihood of these consequences and allow you or your loved one to get back to living a healthier and more honest, fulfilling life.
Breaking Free: Addiction Treatment Options in the U.S.
Millions in the U.S. grapple with addiction to alcohol, drugs, or both. This complex issue, causing physical and psychological dependence, needs a multifaceted approach to recovery. Thankfully, a range of treatment options exists.
Breaking the Cycle:
- Detoxification: Specialized facilities offer safe, medically supervised environments to manage withdrawal symptoms during the initial detox phase.
Addressing the Root:
- Therapy and Support: Therapists help individuals develop tools to cope with cravings and improve life skills. Support groups foster a sense of community and accountability, preventing relapse.
Long-Term Recovery:
- Doctors: Medical professionals create personalized plans addressing both physical dependence and underlying mental health issues.
By combining these elements, individuals can achieve lasting recovery. Help is available. Start today and take that first step to break free from addiction and reclaim your life.