The Estate News & Blog

What is Alcoholism? 

The founding of Soberman’s Estate was inspired by the loss of two men, including the owner’s brother and best friend. Mitch Prager’s best friend was Dr. Jerry Josen, and we’re pleased to share this article written by Dr. Josen’s daughter, Rachel Josen. 

Maybe your husband or loved one is exhibiting questionable behavior related to alcohol, and it doesn't feel right. Know that you are not alone. 12.7% of American adults have an alcohol use disorder, colloquially known as alcoholism. We’re going to talk about signs you’re in a relationship with an addict, as well as strategies to cope and heal.  

I was struggling with the appropriate words to give to a counterpart as they worked on a blog focused on addiction and relationships. They had a section devoted to intervention and wanted to include a couple names of interventionists as resources to offer the reader. I could not possibly commit to two or even 10 names of professionals, not because I do not know and trust ten individuals, but rather because I know and trust hundreds.

Alcohol and drug use is a common concern shared by many households. Over 16 million people in the United States have a form of alcohol intake disorder and over 10 million have a substance use disorder according to the National Survey on Drug Use and Health’s 2018 survey. Nearly 10% of all households have an alcoholic or an individual misusing drugs. This can have a major impact on family dynamics and the overall happiness of the individuals within the household.

The common assumption when it comes to alcoholism is that a person who is drinking is struggling with life, and can sometimes even fail to make ends meet.  However, there is a small portion of alcoholics who are succeeding in life. They are called high functioning alcoholics, and nearly 20% of alcoholics are high functioning alcoholics. Despite their success, they still require assistance to overcome alcohol addiction.

Have you ever heard the term “high-functioning addict” or “functioning alcoholic”? There’s a good possibility you know one, and don’t realize it. Functioning alcoholics and addicts are people that can hide their addictions by appearing to “have it together”. We often associate addiction with someone who has “hit rock bottom” and cannot function although, most of the time that’s not the case. A person can suffer from addiction while living what appears to be a normal life. This article addresses what it means to be a high-functioning alcoholic or a high functioning addict and recommends appropriate treatment.