When you hear someone talk about the double life of addiction, they usually refer to a high-functioning person who is struggling with addiction. For most people, a struggle with addiction quickly turns into negative life consequences. Difficulty holding down a job, loss of friendships and loss of social interests are a few examples.^[1] However, some people can function well for a longer time. This makes it more difficult for the person struggling with the addiction to identify the problem. For loved ones of such a person, it also makes it more difficult to recognize alcohol or drug addiction.

Identifying Signs of High-Functioning Addiction

In many cases, people who are high-functioning will not reach out for help. Their loved ones are usually the people who encourage them to get help. Most people start getting concerned when a loved one cannot hold down a job. As a Toronto addiction specialist says about those who function higher with an addiction, the job is often the last thing to go.^[2] For this reason, loved ones of potential addiction victims must be vigilant to identify the problem sooner.

If you think that someone you know might be a high-functioning addiction victim, there are several signs to look for. These are some examples:

Changing behavioral patterns
Denying that there is a problem
Living a double life
Making excuses for behavioral changes
Experiencing legal problems

Some examples of changes in behavior may be paranoia, irritability and social withdrawal. For example, if your loved one used to gather with friends or family, he or she may stop doing that. There will also be excuses for that, such as work, not feeling well or being too busy with other things.

If you confront your loved one, he or she may seem unusually defensive. People who are high-functioning addiction victims try hard to show one picture of themselves to the world that is different than reality. For example, they often feel paranoid, insecure and depressed. However, they try to make others think that they are confident, happy and thriving. This is why high-functioning addiction is often called a double life.

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Complications of the Double Life of Addiction

Since they feel a great deal of pressure to uphold a strong image to others, high-functioning addiction victims often struggle with depression, anxiety or mood disorders. These underlying mood disorders may trigger addiction.

According to statistics that were reported by the Journal of the American Medical Association, about 50% of people with mental disorders struggled with substance abuse.^[3] Nearly 40% of the participants who abused alcohol had a mental illness, and more than 50% of drug users had a mental illness. Of all the participants with a mental illness, nearly 30% reported abusing drugs or alcohol.

How Treatment Can Help

For anyone struggling with maintaining a double life from addiction, it is important to treat the addiction and any other underlying issues. For example, if someone suffers from depression and addiction, treating one problem may only be a temporary solution. This is because the two issues can trigger each other. With dual diagnosis treatment, a person who is struggling with addiction receives treatment for any mental illnesses and gains the tools to break the addiction cycle permanently.

At Ocean Hills Recovery, we can help people with complex issues beat their addiction and live a healthier life. In addition to dual diagnosis treatment, we offer:

Detox
Intervention services
PHP
Inpatient residential treatment
12-step recovery

We believe in treating each of the physical and emotional aspects of addiction. The earlier your high-functioning loved one is treated, the more likely he or she is to avoid losing a job, getting into serious legal trouble or experiencing other negative outcomes.

If you need advice for reaching out to your struggling loved one, we are here to help. Please contact us to learn more about our treatment programs.

Sources:

[1] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4158844/

[2] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3883816/

[3] https://www.helpguide.org/articles/addictions/substance-abuse-and-mental-health.htm

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Frequently Asked Questions

How long does drug and alcohol rehab last?

The length of your stay at drug and alcohol rehab will vary for each person attending rehab and from treatment center to treatment center. Most inpatient programs are at least 30 days long; however, some programs may incorporate a shorter inpatient stay with a more extended outpatient stay. The best rehab centers will provide a more custom treatment plan for each person that takes into account the individual’s needs before determining the length of treatment. Ocean Hills Recovery offers a variety of options for addiction treatment. A typical stay at our inpatient drug and alcohol rehab programs last between 30 to 45 days.

Do I need inpatient or outpatient treatment?

Outpatient is an excellent option for people who are unable to take time away from work or their families while receiving addiction treatment. Inpatient treatment is an excellent option for people who can be away from their work or families for at least several weeks for treatment. We recommend that you contact a reliable treatment center, like Ocean Hills Recovery, for a complete assessment before you decide whether inpatient or outpatient treatment for addiction is best for you.

Should I get addiction treatment locally or away?

The answer to whether you should go away or stay local for addiction treatment is very individual. Many people need to get away from their everyday life for them to fully submerge themselves in their addiction recovery process. For these individuals, going to an out of state treatment center is the best option to be able to commit fully and concentrate on their recovery. For others, this is not an option because of work or family obligations.

What do I do if I don’t have insurance for drug rehab?

There are options for drug rehab, even if you don’t have insurance. When you decide to get help, the best thing to do is to find a treatment philosophy that you believe may help and contact them for assistance. Rehab professionals can help you determine if you have insurance coverage for addiction treatment, and what options are best for you. Many drug rehabs accept insurance but also have private pay, or financing options available. Contact our rehab admissions specialist today, and we can help you navigate insurance questions, payment options, and treatment plans.

How to find a drug and alcohol rehabilitation center?

The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration website is a great place to start when you are looking for a drug and alcohol rehabilitation center. We recommend that you make a list of a few different centers to contact and speak with them to get a feel for their programs, therapies, and staff and find the center that you feel most comfortable with. Have a list of questions that you can ask each center to help you through the process. One of the most important questions to ask is if the rehab holds accreditation by CARF. Having a state license is no longer enough to ensure that a rehab center is reputable. If the rehab holds CARF accreditation, they have had to meet a more strict set of guidelines and procedures.

Do I need detox before addiction treatment?

Many people require detox to help manage withdrawal from alcohol and other drugs. There are several factors that we take into consideration to determine if you will need detox before addiction treatment. Our admissions professionals work with each person to obtain a thorough history of substance use and other medical conditions to help make the appropriate recommendations for care. You must give accurate information so that we can keep you as comfortable as possible if you are experiencing withdrawal symptoms. However, detox is only the first step in addiction recovery. For long-lasting addiction recovery, a person must deal with the underlying issues that lead to substance use in the first place. Contact us today for a confidential assessment.

Understanding the Double Life of Addiction