Tulsa World: Alcoholism can be more than drinking a lot

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Alcoholism can be more than drinking a lot
Research shows that there are more alcoholics functioning at high levels. Congressman takes leave of absence for treatment

U.S. Rep. John Sullivan, R-Tulsa, talks with voters at the Tulsa County Republican watch party at the Summit Club in February 2008. John Sullivan said Friday he's entered the Betty Ford Center in California to receive treatment for his addiction to alcohol. Sherry Brown/Tulsa World file

By KIM ARCHER World Staff Writer
Published: 5/31/2009 2:52 AM
Last Modified: 5/31/2009 5:35 AM

Read the full text of U.S. Rep. John Sullivan’s statement to constituents.

The first thing most people think of when they hear the word "alcoholic" is the street drunk or the person who has "hit bottom" in a car wreck because of alcohol.

But research shows there are more alcoholics who function at high levels on the job and in their daily lives than those who are the stereotypical drunks.

And that is where more treatment and research focus needs to be, said Dr. Mark Willenbring, director of treatment and recovery research at the National Institute of Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, an arm of the NIH.

"Most of the research or the treatment has focused on the severe alcoholic," he said.

The severe alcoholic constitutes only 1 percent of those who are dependent on alcohol, Willenbring said recently during a press conference at the annual meeting of the American Psychiatric Association in San Francisco.

An estimated 18 million Americans have an alcohol-use disorder, according to a 2007 NIAAA study. About 4 million of those are high-functioning alcoholics, the study estimates.

But many addiction experts say 75 percent to 90 percent of all alcoholics are high-functioning.

What is a high-functioning alcoholic or HFA?

A high-functioning alcoholic can be your doctor who has a successful practice

and a large house in the suburbs or a college honor student who drinks only on weekends.

"HFAs are fulfilling their life responsibilities and may even be providing financially for their family or excelling academically," licensed mental health counselor Sarah Allen Benton writes in her blog for Psychology Today magazine.

Benton, also author of "Understanding the High-Functioning Alcoholic: Professional Views and Personal Insights," said there needs to be more awareness and education about what a "typical" alcoholic is.

"As long as alcoholism is falsely determined based on outside losses, HFAs will continue to drink alcoholically and go untreated," she wrote.

In some cases, Willenbring said, alcohol dependence can be prevented. An estimated 70 percent of Americans are low-risk drinkers, meaning they always drink within what are considered safe drinking limits. For men, that means no more than four alcoholic drinks in a single day and 14 drinks per week.

For women, it means no more than three alcoholic drinks per day and no more than seven a week, the NIAAA says.

The remaining 30 percent of American drinkers put themselves at risk of becoming alcoholic by their drinking habits.

Unfortunately, only one in eight people with alcohol dependence will ever seek specialized treatment, he said.

"We see treatment for mild to moderate dependence in the future coming from primary care physicians," he said. "We don't treat diabetics by sending them to a rehab center for weeks and then saying 'Now you're on your own.'"

Congressman takes leave of absence for treatment

U.S. Rep. John Sullivan announced Friday that he had entered the Betty Ford Center in California for treatment of an “addiction to alcohol.

In a statement sent out to constituents, the Tulsa Republican said he would take a temporary leave from Congress “to ensure my success in this fight.

“I value my relationship with the citizens of Oklahoma’s First Congressional District, whom I am privileged and honored to have served for the past eight years,” he said. “So, I wanted to be open and honest on this tough situation.

Sullivan’s statement did not address how long his leave or treatment might last.

Sullivan, 44, has said that he shared his story about his problems with alcohol a number of times before he ran for Congress. His story began receiving media attention after his first congressional race in 2002.

Several months after that election, Sullivan spoke to Tulsa high school students to warn them about the dangers of drinking. He also told the students about his own “mistakes” with alcohol and said he was asking students to sign pledge cards to stay alcohol-free.

He said at the time he finally had eliminated alcohol from his life.

What is alcoholism?

Alcoholism, also known as alcohol dependence, is a disease that includes the following four symptoms:

craving: A strong need, or urge, to drink.

Loss of control: Not being able to stop drinking once drinking has begun.

Physical dependence: Withdrawal symptoms, such as nausea, sweating, shakiness, and anxiety after stopping drinking.

Tolerance: The need to drink greater amounts of alcohol to get “high.

Do you have to be an alcoholic to experience problems?

No. Alcoholism is only one type of alcohol problem. Alcohol abuse can be just as harmful. A person can abuse alcohol without actually being an alcoholic — that is, he or she may drink too much and too often but still not be dependent on alcohol. Some of the problems linked to alcohol abuse include not being able to meet work, school, or family responsibilities; drunken-driving arrests and car crashes; and drinking-related medical conditions. Under some circumstances, even social or moderate drinking is dangerous — for example, when driving, during pregnancy, or when taking certain medications.

For more information about alcohol abuse disorders, go to tulsaworld.com/alcoholabuse

Kim Archer 581-8315
kim.archer@tulsaworld.com By KIM ARCHER World Staff Writer

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	Report Comment Eagle 4, Tulsa (5/31/2009 8:17:22 AM) "He said at the time he finally had eliminated alcohol from his life." THAT was his mistake - alchohol is never eliminated from an alcoholic's life, it is only held in abeyance. The resolve has to be there every day. I too am an alcoholic, about 7 years in abeyance.
	Report Comment my view, Sand Springs (5/31/2009 8:43:28 AM) This came a surprise to me, I've been around a few times and never once did I smell alcohol on him. I hope this leave of absence and treatment is helpful.
	Report Comment Graychin, Eucha (5/31/2009 9:37:32 AM) "High functioning" alcoholic? I'll pass on this one. Too easy.
	Report Comment my view, Sand Springs (5/31/2009 10:15:22 AM) Graychin, "I'll pass", I'll bet your fingers are still hurting by not commenting more.
	Report Comment tweedles, (5/31/2009 10:16:09 AM) Anative, You are full of crap. He had a problem, he's getting help, he needs our support and prayers. Naysayers like you will never amount to anything yourself because of the hate you espouse.
	Report Comment Dr. E. Ville, Roach (5/31/2009 10:26:18 AM) Great article and very informative! I have been known to abuse alcohol myself from time to time. I presume that the numbers of alcoholics and alcohol abusers is far greater than any of us could comprehend.
	Report Comment Few Clothes, Austin, TX (5/31/2009 12:00:51 PM) I'm surprised that the guideline is 4 drinks per day and 14 drinks per week. I know people who exceed these limits in excess, yet go to work M-F and do their jobs exceptionally well. It could be just a matter of time for them.
	Report Comment okie ridgerunner, Small Country Town State Line (5/31/2009 1:50:05 PM) Most drinking women i have known could out drink a man. And there are more working alcoholic drunks who drink on the job or at home than there is others. But people only like to talk about the street drunks or alcoholics. I admire the ones who have stopped. i respect them. they have got their priorities straight. something is very wrong in a persons life if they can not be happy and enjoy life without distorting their mind with drugs and or alcohol.
	Report Comment NewsBuff, Broken Arrow (5/31/2009 2:09:45 PM) Nope, not just a matter of time for them, some people can do that their whole lives and not become addicted to alcohol. While in others a lot of factors come into play and they eventually become alcoholics. Genetics (family background), how the receptors in their brains react to endorphins, environment, etc. all play a roll. It's a subject I know all too well. I would have easily fit the description of a high-functioning alcoholic. Complex, high paying job, lots of responsibilities, etc. And I do just as well at that job without drinking. Who it hurts is your family, and mine is much happier now. But it sure ain't easy to quit, kicking heroin is supposed to be much easier.
	Report Comment human1, Cast you fate to the wind (5/31/2009 11:15:52 PM) I admire his willingness to admit he has a DRUG problem and wants to corrert it at one of the best alchohol treatment facilities in the nation at the taxpayer expense! Mr. Sullivan is a hard or drugs representative. Maybe he should step back and admit the hypocriscy of our current drug war. If alchohol was still illegal it would be harder for him to get treatment at the best place in the country verses the free clinics in Oklahoma! If it were illegal were would still be having gang problems like the one's we have with other drugs now! He can go to work drunk, but he does not want the american public to have access to medical marijuana for severe pain or have smoked it three weeks before they were drug tested for a job but not smoking it now. I hope he learns a little about drugs and the mind while in treatment!
	Report Comment human1, Cast you fate to the wind (5/31/2009 11:22:13 PM) If alchohol were still illegal we would be having gang problems like what we are having with the illegal drugs. Making certain drugs legal would remove the gang factor! Mr. Sullivan so far has been opposed to that. Yet he is using drugs on the job! You do not have to use any drugs to see the war of drugs has done nothing positive for the US.
	Report Comment PAN, (5/31/2009 11:34:22 PM) I didn't know the 'free' clinics in OK were FREE. In fact, they are not free at all. We, the taxpayers 'foot the bill' through our taxes for those who cannot pay or do not have insurance. The billing goes into the DMHSAS - Department of Mental Health Substance Abuse Services. Money also comes from the federal government for the department. Rep. Sullivan has a right to choose the facility he goes into and thankfully, he has chosen one of the best in the country. I pray he does very well in the program and continues to do well for the rest of his life. Those who wish to trash him for his problem and for the problems he might have incurred which were brought on by his alcoholism will probably one day know someone personally who will suffer from this VERY COMMON disease. You will then understand. Until then, you don't have a clue.
	Report Comment human1, Cast you fate to the wind (6/1/2009 1:13:28 AM) I am not trashing Mr. Sullivan for being an alchoholic. I understand it is a disease. Not everyone can afford the Betty Ford clinic though. My gripe with Mr. Sulllivan is he is the "hard on drugs fellow" and has not shown much empathy or understanding to the people that may have other drug problems! I hope he learns something about that while in treatment, and maybe HE will NOT be so judgemental of the guy smoking happy weed, and be so willing to toss as many people as possible in jail or make sure they cannot get employment! Alcholol is a Drug, and being legal did not change that, it only helped end some of the gang violence which most of our representative have failed to understand! We just swithced which drugs the gang violence would perpetuate!
	Report Comment True Grit II, Camelot (6/1/2009 2:09:27 AM) Sorry, did I miss something were Congressman's his lips moving?! "Several months after that election, Sullivan spoke to Tulsa high school students to warn them about the dangers of drinking. He also told the students about his own “mistakes” with alcohol and said he was asking students to sign pledge cards to stay alcohol-free." If he wz a School Career Counselor, Would he not be fired?! Hmmmmmm.
	Report Comment CherokeeOK, Broken Arrow, Oklahoma (6/4/2009 11:52:54 AM) Good luck Mr. Sullivan. You are in our prayers. It is difficult for those who have problems with alcohol and I am sure when you said you had overcome it you thought you had.
	Report Comment TDM, (6/6/2009 2:03:01 AM) Drunk or sober, he is a horrible Congressman. He does not respond to his constituents, his staff does not return phone calls or assist as is their TRUE job description. Congressmen are supposed to help local constituents with problems with the VA, DHS, etc. Steve Largent and his staff responded to requests quickly and efficiently. The jock wasn't brilliant, but he did his job. I never understood how Sullivan stayed in office.

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