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The High-Functioning Alcoholic

Understanding this Hidden Class of Alcoholics from a Professional and Personal View
by Sarah Allen Benton, L.M.H.C.
Sarah Allen Benton is a Licensed Mental Health Counselor and author of Understanding the High-Functioning Alcoholic: Professional Views and Personal Insights. See full bio
April 9, 2009

Assessing your drinking habits online

According to the National Epidemiological Survey on Alcohol and Related Conditions, only 25% of alcoholics ever receive treatment. High-functioning alcoholics (HFAs) and potential HFAs are the type of drinkers that need to take alcohol screening tests but are not always the ones that do. Read More

March 31, 2009

Understanding the High-Functioning Alcoholic

Through my new book and this blog, I intend to increase awareness and to facilitate dialogue about high-functioning alcoholics and the challenges that they face. It is crucial that the stereotype of the "typical" alcoholic changes so that those alcoholics who are successful professionally and personally can break through their denial and get help. Read More

March 3, 2009

High-Functioning Alcoholics are Everywhere…But are Not Getting Sober

Each time that I mention the term "high-functioning alcoholic"(HFA) people often respond that they have a relative, colleague or friend who is an HFA. Usually the HFA they know has not received help and is still actively drinking. The crux of the problem is that they are still functioning. Ironically, their success is a curse that leads their alcoholism to go untreated. Read More

February 10, 2009

Being High-Functioning: Feeding the Alcoholic Denial

Denial- it is powerful, dangerous, and one of the psychological symptoms of being alcoholic. For those who have not experienced true denial, they may think that it is simply "denying" that a problem exists. However, denial runs much deeper than that in the psyche of an alcoholic. It is the true belief that he or she is not alcoholic when all evidence points to otherwise. Read More

February 3, 2009

Anonymity and the Stigma of Being Alcoholic

Many alcoholics, including those who are sober, keep their alcoholism a secret from loved ones, acquaintances and colleagues. The foundation of most 12-step programs is anonymity and this allows newcomers to feel safe to join and existing group members to continue attending knowing their identity will be protected. Anonymity saves lives. Read More

January 28, 2009

Why High-Functioning Alcoholics Need Help

What is the problem with being a high-functioning alcoholic? This is a question that has been posed several times to me and has probably crossed the minds of others. Although the term "high-functioning" has a positive connotation, the reality is that the diagnosis of "alcoholic" is also present. Read More

January 21, 2009

Characteristics of High-Functioning Alcoholics

Alcoholics have poor attendance at work. Alcoholics drink every day. Alcoholics are mostly old men. Alcoholics are usually homeless. Alcoholics are unable to do well in their careers. Alcoholics always drink in the morning. Read More

January 18, 2009

The High-Functioning Alcoholic: Blog Goals and Intentions

I have created this blog to increase awareness about high-functioning alcoholics (HFAs) and to help to change the stereotype of the "typical" alcoholic. Alcoholics all suffer from the same disease, but it manifests in different ways. Read More

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Books by Sarah Allen Benton, L.M.H.C.

Image of Understanding the High-Functioning Alcoholic: Professional Views and Personal Insights (The Praeger Series on Contemporary Health and Living)
Understanding the High-Functioning Alcoholic: Professional Views and Personal Insights (The Praeger Series on Contemporary Health and Living)

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