High-Functioning Alcoholic: A Healthcare Executive’s Journey to Sobriety

Have you ever wondered if you drink too much? Regardless of your answer, just asking yourself that question deserves a pause because nearly 30 million Americans have alcohol use disorder — and many are “high-functioning” – succeeding professionally while quietly struggling.

In this episode, former healthcare executive Noel Rihm shares her 25-year battle with alcoholism and the realization that changed everything: alcohol wasn’t the problem — it was the solution to deeper pain. This conversation will challenge how you think about addiction, sobriety, and your own relationship with alcohol.

Key Takeaways

Being high functioning doesn't mean you're okay.
High performers are especially good at masking serious struggle. If you've ever questioned your relationship with alcohol, that question itself is worth paying attention to.

For some people, alcohol isn't the problem. It's the
treatment. If alcohol is being used to manage anxiety, trauma, or emotional pain, addressing the drinking alone may not be
enough.

There is no one size fits all approach to recovery. If a treatment intervention isn't working, it doesn't mean you've failed. It may mean the treatment isn't right for you. Also, the motivation for real change has to come from within. You can support someone, but you cannot force them to heal
before they're ready.

Addiction doesn't just affect the individual. It affects
everyone around them. Living with or working alongside someone with addiction can create its own form of stress and trauma. Healing often needs to extend beyond just the individual.

To Learn More About Noel and Kaleidoscope:

Read Noel's book, Sober With A Twist

Learn about the services that Kaleidoscope provides: https://kaleidoscope68.org/

You can follow and/or get in touch with Archelle by

Subscribing to the ⁠⁠⁠ArcHealth newsletter⁠⁠⁠

Following Archelle on

⁠Substack⁠

⁠Instagram⁠

⁠Facebook