What is a Functioning Addict?

A functioning addict is someone with an addiction that might go unnoticed. This is because they are good at hiding their addiction from others. The person might also be relatively successful and well-adjusted in other areas of their lives, so their addiction goes under the radar.

What makes that person a functioning addict is that their life appears to be in order and the addiction does not appear to cause major disruptions to the functioning addict’s life.

This is why it can be so devastating to family and friends when the functioning addict loses control of their substance use. To those around the addict, everything seemed fine, and there were no outward warning signs of substance abuse to be concerned about.

But the truth is there are warning signs that parents and others can look out for.

But a teen functioning addict needs treatment just as much as an obvious addict. You need to be on the lookout for signs of addiction, who is at risk, know where to get treatment, and arrange and support all forms of aftercare.

Additional features of a teenage functioning addict include the following:

• Maintaining—even exceeding—the expectations of others at work or in school
• Others are often surprised at their high tolerance for substances because they tend to use in secret
• Isolating from others with what seem like legitimate excuses (friends or family might describe them as “mysterious”)
• Using drug or alcohol use a reward for accomplishments
• Keeping up appearances of being successful while struggling on the inside

What Types of Substances Do Functioning Addicts Abuse?

A functioning addict can be addicted to any number of substances. They might even engage in addictive behaviors, like gambling or disordered eating.

The following are some of the most common substances abused by functioning addicts:

• Alcohol: Because alcohol is a legal substance, it can be difficult to tell when a person is addicted to it. Oftentimes, it is socially acceptable to drink at parties, during holidays, or at meals. Even if someone has an alcohol problem, a functioning addict can brush it off as “guess I overdid it a bit last night.”
• Cocaine: Due to its stimulating effects, cocaine could be what a high-functioning addict uses to accomplish their goals. For instance, they might use cocaine to stay up late and study. However, they could be moody and depressed after the cocaine high wears off.
• Methamphetamine: Similar to cocaine, the effects of methamphetamine (meth) can be stimulating—giving the user instant energy and focus through certain tasks. But meth can quickly become addicting and lead to significant health issues, like hypertension, dental problems, and mental health disorders.
• Heroin: Heroin provides users with a euphoric high and acts like a sedative. Functioning addicts who abuse heroin might appear drowsy or lethargic.
• Opioids: Opioids are a class of drugs that affect the opioid receptors in the brain. They include prescription drugs, like codeine, hydrocodone, morphine, and oxycodone. Illicit opioids include heroin and fentanyl.
• Marijuana: Despite its changing legal status, marijuana is still an addictive substance. Functioning addicts might use marijuana to manage underlying symptoms of anxiety to get through the day. They may also use it to sleep, cope with stress, or to relax.
• Prescription Drugs: It can be easy for a functioning addict to abuse prescription drugs before anyone notices. For instance, they might feign symptoms to get additional prescriptions or higher doses. This can be especially easy for teens because they can access drugs like dextromethorphan (DXM) in common OTC medications.
• Party Drugs: “Party drugs” refer to the types of drugs people might use at concerts, clubs, raves, or festivals. Of course, nearly any time of drug might be used during these events. But teens might use drugs like MDMA (Molly/Ecstasy), GHB, or Ketamine to “enhance” the party experience.

15% of High School Students Have Used Illicit Drugs

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), “15% of high school students reported having ever used select illicit or injection drugs—cocaine, inhalants, heroin, methamphetamines, hallucinogens, or ecstasy.” Furthermore, “14% of students reported misusing prescription opioids.”

Teens could abuse any of the above-mentioned substances if they have access to them. As teens gain independence from their parent’s guidance, they are vulnerable to making bad decisions. Therefore, it’s important to know the signs of functioning addiction.

What Does Functional Addiction Look Like? (Example + Signs)

Functioning addicts steer clear of the stereotype of an addict who is out of control. 

Teens who are functioning addicts might excel in school, sports, or other extracurricular activities. They could have a lot of friends and be very outgoing, even successfully maintaining long-term romantic relationships. Oftentimes, functioning teen addicts don’t have poor grades or disciplinary issues during school.

Example of How Functional Addiction Can Look (In Real Life)

For example, a teenage boy could become addicted to Adderall as a means to stay up late to study. Since he does well in school, his addiction might slip under the radar of his parents or teachers. All the adults in this teen’s life assume that everything must be okay.

Oftentimes, parents focus attention toward problematic behaviors. That’s why a teenage functional addict can maintain a hidden substance abuse issue. However, eventually, the problem will surface.

As time goes on, the teen becomes irritable and moody. His grades start to fall, and he is getting into trouble at school. But, then, the adults think, “He’s just going through a phase; this is typical teenage rebellion—he’ll grow out of it.”

While teens can be moody or rebellious, a complete change in a teen’s behavior and personality is always a red flag. 

It’s important to consider the possibility that there is some underlying cause to this shift besides “typical teen behavior.” Causes of significant behavioral shifts could be a conflict with friends, drug or alcohol abuse, or an underlying mental health issue.

So, it’s important to know the signs of functional addiction—and to also stay involved in your child’s life even if they appear to be doing well.

The Top 7 Signs of Functional Addiction

The following are some of the most common signs of functional addiction:

#1. Excuses and Denial

It is very common for addicts to exhibit denial. But with a functioning addict, their denial can actually sound sensible. They could say things like, “You need to use drugs to study as hard as I do” or “I need these drugs to do better in sports!” These are obvious red flag, as no academic test or extracurricular activity requires habitual substance abuse to be tolerable.

#2. Deteriorating Appearance

During late-stage addiction, the addict will become less and less concerned about appearances. As the addiction starts to take its toll, you will notice that one day they were neat and presentable, but the next day, they were ratty and unkempt. 

This happens because as addiction continues, the addict’s physical health will suffer, and they will have less energy to devote to their own hygiene. Look for disheveled clothes and poorly cared for hair or skin.

#3. Isolation

Isolation tends to occur in the later phases of addiction. If it is a significant deviation from the addict’s normal behavior, you should be alarmed and take steps to intervene as soon as possible. 

As addictions continue, addicts will only focus on getting their next dose. Everything else goes on the back burner. Teens may be spending more and more time alone or struggle to maintain friendships.

#4. Withdrawal Symptoms

Withdrawal is a frightening and dangerous symptom of addiction. This happens when an addict stops using or drinking suddenly. Essentially, the person’s body and mind don’t function properly without the substance in their system.

Common withdrawal symptoms include the following:

• Nausea 
• Vomiting
• Restlessness 
• Anxiety 
• Depression 
• Headache
• Sweating 
• Fatigue
• Mood swings
• Irritability and agitation
• Feeling of unease

Parents of teens who are functional addicts might notice these signs if their child doesn’t have access to substances. For example, if you go on a vacation, your child might not have access to a supply of illicit drugs. Therefore, you could see signs like this whenever your child is away from home for an extended period of time.

#5. Loss of Memory, Focus, or Concentration (Cognitive Issues)

Cognitive issues revolving around thought processes such as focus, memory, and concentration are common in all forms of substance abuse. Teens might struggle with these issues for several underlying reasons. However, if this occurs along with other signs of addiction, your child might have a substance abuse problem.

#6. Spending Problems

Functioning addicts spend a lot of money on their habits. Of course, many teens don’t have jobs or financial independence. So, it’s not uncommon for teens to ask their parents for money often.

However, if parents don’t know where a teen’s money is going, it could be fueling an addiction. For instance, if your teen has a part-time job, but still asks you for money all the time, there might be a hidden addiction or other issue. 

One tip for parents that can help track a teen’s spending is to ask for receipts or proof of the purchase.

#7. Neglecting Responsibilities

This sign means an addict is losing their ability to function. If the addiction becomes the only thing they care about, they will start to ignore their responsibilities. They will start ignoring things like schoolwork, friendships, hobbies, and other activities.

5 Common Myths vs. Facts (Teenage Addiction + Recovery)

It’s important to address common myths regarding drug addiction and recovery in teens. Oftentimes, myths can get in the way of addressing the issues. They can also cause problems within the relationships of parents and troubled teens.

Below are some of the most common myths about teen functional addiction and recovery:

#1. My Teen Isn’t Acting Out, So They Don’t Have a Problem

One of the problems identifying functional addiction—in either teens or adults—is that the person covers up their substance abuse by maintaining a façade of doing well. For teens with functional addiction, they might not have any behavioral issues. In fact, they could be among the best students, overly responsible, and involved in lots of activities.

This can be confusing to parents. It doesn’t mean that being highly accomplished and overly achieved is a sign of addiction. But, dispelling this myth is critical because even teens who have it all together on the outside could still be struggling on the inside.

#2. “Tough Love” Is the Best Approach for My Child

There’s a fine line between setting healthy boundaries/limits with your teen and showing them “tough love.” The difference is in how you approach your teen. Tough love approaches tend to be harsh, strict, and severe; whereas, healthy boundaries/limits involve open communication and compromise.

Tough love approaches, like cutting a person off, kicking out a troubled teen, or punishing addictive behaviors can make teens feel rejected, lost, and helpless. Oftentimes, these approaches leave little room for error, meaning a relapse could result in punitive measures. However, relapse is often a part of the recovery process.

On the other hand, talking to your teen about limitations, boundaries, and expectations involve your teen in the conversation. Parents can discuss reasonable expectations and the consequences of not following through. This helps teens with functional addiction develop real-world problem solving skills.

For example, a teen may want to borrow your car, however, you’re not comfortable with this because they have only been out of treatment for a week. You can set a timetable to build trust, like “after you complete an outpatient program for four weeks, you can borrow the car.” Or, you can impose limitations, like “you can only drive to work or NA meetings—and have another adult call me when you get there.”

#3. Having a Kid With an Addiction Means I’m a Bad Parent

Parents often struggle with self-blame when their child has a behavioral or mental health issue. They worry about their skills as a parent. And, to add to this, other people in the community or media often say things like, “Troubled children are the result of poor parenting.”

However, as a parent, you can only control so much. But blaming yourself only gets in the way of focusing on your child. This can hinder your ability to understand the underlying causes of your child’s addiction.

It’s okay to express your own doubts, fears, and uncertainties about your child’s behavior. And, it’s okay to acknowledge any flaws you might have as a parent. The staff at Beachside Teen Treatment Center understand this, and we’re to help you find resources to manage your own emotions and support your child.

#4. Addicts Need to Hit ‘Rock Bottom’ Before Getting Help

This is a common myth about recovery from addiction. Many people believe that a person won’t get better until they hit a point called “rock bottom.” But, here’s the problem with this idea: what does “rock bottom” even mean?

“Rock bottom” seems to be a term that everyone has their own definition of. It usually means that a person loses so much from their addiction—family, friends, money—that they will finally acknowledge the problems of their substance abuse and get help. But, still—there is really no clear definition of what this means.

Treatment programs for teen addiction are effective no matter how far along a person is in their addiction. Long-term functional addicts can hide their substance abuse for several years. On the other hand, those who are only in the beginning stages of addiction can also seek help.

This is an especially important myth to dispel for teens with addiction. They don’t need to “lose it all” to get help. In fact, it’s better to intervene early before waiting for things to get worse.

#5. My Teen Can Stop Using Drugs Without Treatment

There’s a difference between catching your teen drinking or abusing drugs once, and a teen with a full-blown addiction. Addiction is a disease that changes a person’s brain chemistry, which is why treatment programs are so vital to addicted teenagers.

Teen brains are still in development. If they’ve been abusing substances, their brains need time to heal from the damage. Fortunately, the brain can heal as healthy behaviors and coping skills rewire the addicted brain to normal functioning.

This is why it’s important to get addicted teens into treatment: to reverse the damage done and provide hope for a future in long-term recovery.

Treatment for High Functioning Teenage Addicts

Addiction treatment for functioning teen addicts is most effective when it includes the following:

• 30 to 90 days of inpatient or residential treatment
• Aftercare and outpatient treatment programs
• Academic support
• Ongoing monitoring to prevent relapse
• Family support and involvement throughout treatment
• Self-help programs and support groups for teens

Many functioning addicts struggle with underlying mental, emotional, or behavioral health issues. As such, treatment for functioning addicts should include holistic practices to address all the issues involved—and not just the addiction. Family therapy is also essential as functioning addicts need their families’ support and assistance to avoid relapse.

The first step in treatment is to be assessed by an addiction specialist to make an accurate diagnosis and provide individualized treatment suggestions. 

Addiction Treatment (What Are the Next Steps for Teens and Parents?)

Because any treatment plan is designed to address the specific needs of an individual, no two plans are alike. Still, treatment plans can have similar components—with enough space and options for individualization to meet your child’s needs. Since mental health disorders often co-occur with addiction, Beachside Teen Treatment Center offers dual-diagnosis treatment for all of our programs and therapies.

Here are some common components of a typical addiction treatment plan for teens:

Therapy + Counseling

Therapy is essential in addiction treatment due to its efficacy. There are several types of therapies and options for therapeutic services to address your teen’s unique needs. Some therapies are better for specific diagnoses whereas others are more engaging to some clients than others.

The following are the types of therapy your teen can expect at Beachside Teen Treatment Center:

• Behavior Therapy: Behavioral therapy helps teens understand the connection between their inner lives (thoughts and beliefs) and their outer lives (mood and behaviors). The most common types of behavior therapy are cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) and dialectical behavior therapy (DBT).

• Psychodynamic Therapy: Psychodynamic therapy is what most people think of when they read the word “therapy.” This involves exploring a person’s history to gain self-awareness about how the past impacts your teen’s problematic behaviors. This can also involve group therapy where people with similar underlying issues share with one another.

• Equine Therapy: Equine therapy is a type of animal-assisted therapy (AAT) that can help teens improve self-confidence, mindfulness, impulse control, and emotional regulation. Teens may engage in activities like horseback riding, grooming, tacking up the horse, and barnyard chores.

• Interpersonal Therapy: Interpersonal therapy helps teens learn health communication and social skills. This includes sharing with others and developing healthy boundaries in relationships.

• Expressive Therapy: Expressive therapy includes engaging in a creative activity to express emotions in a healthy way. Common examples include journaling, creative writing, music therapy, painting, drawing, and sculpting.

• Outdoor Therapy: Getting out into the real world is crucial for teens to recover from functional addiction. Outdoor therapy includes visits to parks and beaches, hiking, mini-golf, going to movie theaters or museums, laser tag, and other activities outside of the facility.

Family Therapy and Involvement

Family therapy and involvement is especially important for teens in recovery. If parents and other family members are not involved, teens are vulnerable for relapse or developing other maladaptive coping mechanisms besides substance abuse. 

In addition, family therapy can help parents, caretakers, and siblings understand how substance abuse affects their loved one.

Residential Treatment Centers (RTCs)

Residential treatment centers (RTCs) or inpatient rehab facilities provide a safe place for teens to build a foundation of recovery skills. During inpatient rehab, your teen will live within the same facility as they receive treatment. That way, they will be safe from distractions, temptations, and outside influences to focus on their recovery.

Our residential treatment center in Malibu offers your teen a welcoming, comfortable, and homelike setting conducive to recovery. Teens live with others who are struggling with similar issues. In an RTC, teens will have individual and group therapy, therapeutic education programs, recreational activities, healthy meals, and holistic therapy options.

Aftercare + Outpatient Programs

After leaving an RTC, it is vital for teens to continue in an aftercare program. It’s best to develop a plan for aftercare while still in an inpatient rehab. This will help teens retain the skills they’ve gained as they transition back to everyday life in recovery.

We offer the following programs at the outpatient level for teens needing aftercare:

• Partial Hospitalization Program (PHP): During a PHP, teens engage in group and individual therapy throughout the day. Most PHPs last about 6-8 hours for 5 days each week. However, unlike residential treatment, teens get to go home every day during the program.

• Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP): An IOP is a step down from PHP. Our IOP program includes sessions that last about 3-4 hours per day. This helps to bridge the gap between high levels of care in RTCs and PHPs back to everyday life with minimal professional supports.

Participation in a 12-Step or Teen-Focused Alternative Support Group

Peer support for functional addicts is an essential component of treatment and long-term recovery. Twelve-step programs like Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) and Narcotics Anonymous (NA) are among the most common. Alternatives like SMART Recovery or Celebrate Recovery, offer high levels of support for those who don’t respond well to traditional 12-Step programs.

Many support groups offer teen-focused sessions so that your child is in recovery with peers around their own age. In addition, there are family support groups for loved ones such as Al-Anon Family Groups. Al-Anon also has Alateen, which can be a good resource for siblings or friends of your teen with an addiction.

Furthermore, if your teen struggles with a co-occurring disorder, like depression, anxiety, or disordered eating, there are several support groups available for these concerns.

Get Help for Your Teen Today

It is important to remember that teenage functioning addicts often think that they don’t have a problem at all. Recognizing the signs, getting them into treatment, and supporting them in their aftercare are essential to ensure success during their recovery.

If a teenager in your life appears to be a functioning addict, contact Beachside Teen Treatment Center in Malibu, California, today at (888)254-0916.