A recovery coach has shared three warning signs that you might be a functioning alcoholic.
Connor, who goes by @thesoberplug on TikTok, isn’t pulling any punches.
In a now-viral clip, he breaks down the red flags that often get overlooked because, let’s face it, not all alcohol issues look the same.
Let’s start with the first red flag—selective drinking habits.
Connor explains: “Number one, you compartmentalise your drinking. This means that during certain times or responsibilities you refuse to drink. However, once that is over with, you allow yourself to drink and that is justified."
Sound familiar? If you avoid booze during work hours or certain responsibilities but count down the seconds to your next “acceptable” drink window, it might be more than just discipline—it could be denial.
2. “You think that certain externals or materialistic things justify your drinking”If you’ve ever told yourself, “I can’t be an alcoholic—I’ve got a great job and a nice apartment,” Connor says you're missing the point.
“Number two, you think that certain externals or materialistic things justify your drinking. In other words, if you have a nice car, a nice house, a nice job, you feel that your drinking isn’t an issue, because you would not have these things if it was a real problem.”
He adds: “However, we all know that status or financial success has absolutely nothing to do with having an alcohol problem.”
Just because your Instagram feed screams success doesn’t mean your relationship with alcohol is healthy behind the scenes.
This one hits hard for parents and providers. The idea that putting food on the table means everything else is automatically fine is a dangerous myth, according to Connor.
“And number three, you might provide for yourself or your family and in this circumstance, your alcoholism is justified. Functioning alcoholics get the sense of, ‘as long as I am providing for my family or myself that it can’t possibly be an issue’.”
“After all, if it was a real problem, I wouldn’t be able to be responsible for certain people, right?”
“Well that is completely false. Our actions have consequences on other people, just because we can balance a few different things, it does not mean that we don’t have problems in our life and that it doesn’t impact others in our life.”
Connor wraps up the clip with an important message: if any of this sounds too familiar, don’t brush it off. It’s time to reach out.
He ends the clip by urging anyone who is struggling with alcohol to reach out for help.
If you or someone you know is battling addiction, please reach out for help and contact the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration's (SAMHSA's) National Helpline at 1-800-662-HELP (1-800-662-4357) or go to https://findtreatment.gov/