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Are You A High-Functioning Addict?

Are You A High-Functioning Addict?

Dan Martin
January 21, 2024

It’s an average week where I’m out 4–5 times per week. The agenda? Downing an impressive lineup of beers, a conga line of gin and tonics, and 2–3g of cocaine per night…

And in the midst of this party marathon, I’m also the top performer at a my job in financial services. Sounds like a plot twist, right?

Welcome to the dual life of a high-functioning addict.

Ever wondered if this could be you?

Imagine someone who looks like they’ve got it all…

Decent job
Great social life
Picture-perfect family
Lovely car on the drive

But here’s their dirty little secret… they’re fighting a secret battle with addiction.

This constant juggling act strains personal relationships, limits professional growth and destroys mental well-being.

They’re the covert agents in the world of addiction. Successful on the outside, but hiding a complex, hidden reality beneath the surface…

Realising you’re a high-functioning addict is like noticing you’ve been making calls with the phone upside-down. Once you see it, you can’t un-see it…

Here are some telltale warning signs:

You're using the 'Addictive Personality' excuse, but deep down, you know it's more than just a trait—it's a real problem.
Your top of the leaderboard at work, but substances are supporting your performance.
You’re not having a drink or two to relax. It’s more, much more, and it’s every time.
Your social activities revolve around substance use.
Small changes in your behaviour or health that even your pet dog starts to notice.
You keep convincing yourself that ‘I’m fine’ while your inner voice whispers, ‘Are we, though?’

Identifying these signs is like working on a ‘draw-by-numbers’ puzzle from your childhood.

Is it a boat?… Is it a plane?… maybe it’s a monkey?… And then it slowly becomes clear… it’s a reflection in the mirror, revealing that I’m a high-functioning addict.

High-functioning addicts excel in their careers but at a significant personal cost. The pressure to maintain a successful image feeds their addiction, creating a cycle of overachievement and substance abuse.

Fear of failure and the shame of not living up to their own or others’ expectations drive this paradox. The addict’s professional success becomes both their greatest pride and their biggest prison.

Personal growth becomes a complex challenge too. They’re caught in a conflict between wanting to improve and the debilitating pull of their addiction. The shame and embarrassment of their hidden life create a profound internal dissonance.

They present a persona of control and success to the world while struggling with a sense of fraudulence and fear of exposure. This misalignment limits genuine self-improvement and perpetuates the addiction.

Admitting to high-functioning addiction requires confronting deep-seated shame and the fear of losing one’s carefully crafted persona.

Removal of the mask, if you will.

Ultimately, it’s a towards authenticity.

Something I strive for every one of my clients to achieve

Recovery involves not just the cessation of substance use but also reconciling the public image with the private reality.

It’s a transformative process that demands vulnerability, honesty, and a willingness to seek and accept help.

High-functioning addiction is a complex interplay of success, secrecy, and substance/behaviour abuse. It’s a hidden struggle, often overshadowed by the outward appearance of achievement.

Dealing with this addiction means breaking free from feeling ashamed and scared. It’s a path to being real, getting better, and growing as a person.

If this hits home for you, know that asking for help is the first step to a life where you’re the same person inside and out.

Whether you choose to work with me or someone else, the important thing is taking action. Don’t let a lack of knowledge stop you from moving towards a better life.

Loving you,

Dan ‘freedom’ Martin

PS: Check out the Addictive Personality Quiz I made.

It’s a quick way to see:

✅ What you’re good at

✅ How impulses affect you

✅ Tips to make your life better

It’s free and fast, under 90 seconds.

Take the quiz here: www.addictivepersonalityquiz.com

Work with me:

I’m booked up until the middle of February, but I’m setting up chats now for appointments starting from the 12th.

If you’re ready to start feeling proud of yourself, you can book a free Power Hour with me.