Not everyone is going to hit a bottom. If they do, it might look different for different people. Addiction is insidious and harmful to everyone around that person. High-functioning addiction is also more dangerous, because a person can hide many symptoms of the issues they face, while they are paddling hard to stay afloat with their addictive behaviors. As it grows worse, they might hit a ‘high bottom’ or a ‘low bottom,’ but whatever bottom they hit will hit everyone hard. It is important to navigate this carefully but with focus and determination to help them get what they need.
What is High Functioning Addiction
Even when there are undiagnosed mental health or addiction issues, people with high-functioning addiction may be able to keep jobs, relationships, and lifestyles that seem ‘normal,’ but are not able to keep things together. Often, lawyers struggle with drug and alcohol abuse, doctors struggle quietly with drug addiction, and other professionals are also dealing with high levels of stress, anxiety, depression, and addiction that drive them.
How it Happens
When it comes to high functioning addiction, most anything can be a trigger to use substances. Many who do find the root causes lie in their personal history or childhood. It may be:
- Drinking or drug culture of a certain profession
- Social norms
- Genetics
- Family history
- Abuse, trauma, or neglect
- Traumatic brain injury (TBI) which causes symptoms, then abuse of drugs to abate symptoms
High-functioning substance abuse can turn into addiction quite quickly. Many doctors do not discuss the risk of a prescribed pain medication that results in dependence. Drugs have psychological effects like euphoria and relaxation. These alterations in brain chemistry can lead to use of a drug in spite of its consequences. This is also the case with central nervous depressants and prescription drugs. The stigma around drug and alcohol use can be damaging when dealing with professionals who have an addiction. The negative messaging around addiction can discourage them from seeking help.
Seeking Support
Not all treatment programs are alike. Programs for professionals or people with high functioning addiction and behavioral issues can find support through treatment programs that focus on their needs. This will include confidential support, flexible programming, and aftercare that allows them to work and find healing in recovery with help from professionals who understand addiction amongst doctors, lawyers, and other high performing individuals. This kind of support can make a huge difference for people with addiction who hit a high bottom or have been ‘high functioning’ and finally seek much-needed support. The key is to offer them a place to heal so they can recover their lives and begin the journey of living drug and substance-free.
The Guest House is based on a Therapeutic Communty model. We help people learn how to live free of addiction. Our community support provides structure while trained counselors offer life skills training and therapeutic techniques to help you move past addiction. Our program provides special focus for professionals including chiropractors, nurses, doctors, lawyers, and more who need help with addiction recovery. Call us to find out more: 855-483-7800.