Stop Measuring Alcoholism by What You Still Have

Stop Measuring Alcoholism by What You Still Have

This conversation on the RAW Recovery Podcast heads straight for one of the most stubborn myths around alcohol use: the idea of the “functioning alcoholic.” The host challenges the labels that many people hide behind – high-bottom, low-bottom, high-achieving drinker, weekend warrior – and points out how comparison becomes “the ultimate denial.” Instead of asking whether someone has lost a job, a house, or a driving licence, the focus shifts to a harder question: “What is alcohol really taking from you?” Using real stories, including a man who owned several bars yet died after asphyxiating on his vomit, the episode reminds you that money, status and possessions say nothing about whether alcohol is destroying a life from the inside out.

How do people find strength in their journey to sobriety? As the host puts it, “functioning alcoholic is an oxymoron, it doesn’t exist.” Amber joins in with a sharp reframe, saying she only became truly “functional” after doing the steps and having a spiritual experience, and that this stability depends on daily spiritual maintenance. From there, the talk shifts to what functioning really means: emotional availability, honesty, reliability, parenting, friendship, and peace of mind.

There’s also a look at common terms like “sober curious” and clinical labels for alcohol use disorder, with a clear message that categories can be useful for treatment planning, but they don’t make any version of alcoholism safe or successful. By the end, the message lands clearly: stop measuring alcoholism by what you still have and start asking whether you’re present, dependable, and becoming the person you want to be.

If you’ve ever thought, “I can’t be that bad; I’ve still got my job,” this one might hit uncomfortably close to home in all the right ways. So what exactly are you risking by waiting for things to fall apart?