Subclinical Addictions: Functioning with a Problem

We've all heard plenty about addiction and it's ability to devastate a life but few of us have heard of subclinical addiction. You may not be familiar with the term subclinical,but you may have heard of a "functional addict" or "functional alcoholic". Subclinical defines the problem as existing, yet not having enough quantifiable clinical symptoms to be defined as a true illness. It is any less devastating? Actually, subclinical addiction has the potential to be even more damaging, because it can be ignored for a significant period of time. Much of the problem with subclinical addiction is identifying that someone, despite functioning, has gotten to a point where they have a psychological dependence on a substance of even a behavior. The question thus arises; what does subclinical addiction look like?

Every person is different, and every manifestation of addiction is different as well. In general,individuals who are subclinically addicted function moderately well in their lives. They are able to work, parent and interact socially however, their functioning tends to be at the level of "just enough". Many of these individuals have mild to moderate depression, evident by their subtleties of moods (no enthusiasm, yet no sadness). Those who live with someone who is subclinically addicted likely recognize that the person has a reliance on something in order to function, but often this fact can be disregarded because the person is functioning adequately in their life. The unfortunate fact about subclinical addiction is that it can be left to continue for years, leaving a wake of damage that is proportional to the number of years it has been ignored.

What can you do if you suspect someone you know has a subclinical addiction? Unfortunately, if that person denies or is unaware (which is unlikely) of the problem, they are unlikely to addresses it. Confrontation combined with caring and consequences may be helpful. The bottom line is that a person with an addiction has to realize that you as a loved one, is willing to administer consequences (ie: no longer enabling the addiction/behavior) if the behavior does not change. Not to be confused with abandonment, this is your way to force the individual into their "rock bottom", which is often the wake up call they need to change. Keep in mind however, despite their willingness to change, and despite the fact that their problem doesn't fit the criteria of an illness, it should be treated as any other addiction and the individual should seek out objective professional help in overcoming their subclinical addiction.