#142: The Truth About Being A Functional Alcoholic

When your life still looks okay on the outside, it’s easy to convince yourself your drinking isn’t a real problem. You’re still working, paying bills, showing up, so it must be fine, right? In this episode, Tim unpacks the truth behind the “functional alcoholic” label and why it often hides more than it reveals.

We talk about how easy it is to keep adjusting the definition of “functional” to avoid change, how this label is quietly supported by society and even loved ones, and why managing your drinking takes more energy than you think. Tim shares from his own story how holding it all together started to cost him peace, connection, and growth, even when nothing had technically fallen apart.

If you’ve ever wondered, “Am I really okay with this being as good as it gets?”, this episode might be the starting point for something honest.

Episode Highlights:
1:00 – What “functional alcoholic” really means
2:00 – Why this label feels safer than facing the truth
3:03 – How society normalizes and even rewards overdrinking
4:04 – What people actually want from drinking (and it’s not moderation)
6:00 – How the meaning of “functional” slowly shifts
7:08 – The mental exhaustion of managing your drinking
9:20 – Why things can look fine outside but feel empty inside
10:29 – The most important question: What is it really costing you?
11:53 – Awareness comes before change, why noticing is enough for now

If this episode resonated with you and you want more tools, reflections, and support for building a life you actually enjoy without alcohol, visit https://soberandhappy.com/home/ to explore the podcast, resources, and next steps.