Rebecca Smith
How To Deal With An Alcoholic In Denial – Harmful use of alcohol is not always obvious. Here are some signs that a loved one may be hiding their alcohol use.
Many people with drinking problems manage to hide or minimize it. As a concerned family member or friend, it can be difficult to find out if a loved one has gone to great lengths to hide their drinking problem.
How To Deal With An Alcoholic In Denial
In this article, we will explain some of the main signs of secret drinkers and how they can be signs of harmful alcohol consumption.
Adult Children Of Alcoholics And Their Alcoholic Parents The Emotion
If someone hides, minimizes or conceals the amount of alcohol they consume, it may be a sign that they are hiding a drinking problem. This may convince you as a concerned friend of the true extent of his problem.
Excessive drinking is only one of many possible signs of alcoholism, but it does not automatically mean that the person has an alcohol addiction. It also does not mean that someone who is not a secret drinker cannot suffer from alcoholism. Everyone’s condition is different and symptoms will vary.
An important distinction to note is harmful consumption and alcohol addiction. Many covert drinkers consume harmful beverages but would still not be considered within the more medical framework of alcohol dependence (or alcoholism). Alcoholism can also include other common symptoms of alcoholism.
There are also some common alcohol addiction behaviors that can be another indicator of the extent of a loved one’s problem.
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For example, have you noticed a decline in your inhibitions or impulse control? Anger, reckless or dangerous behavior can be a sign that alcohol is changing our behavior. Another important thing to consider is decreased motivation. They may lose interest in things they once loved or struggle to motivate themselves at work.
Because of the hidden nature of drinking, it can be difficult to know what your loved one is going through and how serious their problem is. The most important thing to remember is that the sooner the harmful use is recognized and corrected, the better the recovery results. If you suspect your loved one has a drinking problem, help them recognize it before they develop a physical addiction.
The reasons why some hide the extent of their alcohol consumption can be varied and complex. They may want to hide their addiction from their employers to protect their loved ones from worrying, feeling ashamed or guilty about how much they drink, or damaging their careers.
They may simply deny that they have a problem with alcohol. Admitting that you have a drinking problem and that you need support is a brave step.
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Billy Henderson, Addiction Treatment Manager at Priory Hospital Glasgow, offers some advice on what to expect when someone with alcoholism decides to hide it: “It can be a disease of isolation and secrecy. People around the drinker may not realize this and the drinker may not actually know they have one. Alcoholism tells the individual that they are not.”
It is important to remember that in the mind of someone with an alcohol problem, the decision to hide the drinking may make sense. They may want to shield their friends and family from the reality of their problems, or they may simply be in a state of self-preservation, unwilling to open up about their struggles. Admitting that your drinking is out of control takes courage and begins a lifelong quest toward recovery and sobriety.
Not judging someone’s reasons for drinking is key to helping them overcome their problems.
If your loved one is showing some signs of alcoholism, it’s time to step up your efforts to provide support. It can be difficult to know how to approach this, but there are ways to help and support someone with a drinking problem without feeling guilty or ashamed of the situation.
Denial As A Symptom Of Alcoholism
Be selective about the right time and place to talk about your concerns with your loved one. Approaching them one-on-one when they are awake can calm them down and avoid ambushing them. By saying things like, “I’m worried about you,” keep your focus and stay compassionate. This will help them feel less defensive and more open to discussion.
Once this initial conversation takes place, it is important not to activate their covert behavior. Things like making excuses for friends or family or calling in sick to work are examples of encouraging their behavior. This allows them to take responsibility for their actions, helping them to recover in the long term.
Alcohol problems, whether hidden or overt, can be a brutal situation for the sufferer and those around them. But rest assured that recovery is achievable and can result in effective treatment. You can help your loved one on their journey to recovery by helping them get the help they need.
You can encourage them to make an appointment with their doctor and offer emotional support. Alternatively, you can contact a specialist alcohol addiction treatment provider, such as Priory. We have a network of world-class rehabilitation facilities equipped with the best specialists in the treatment of this disease.
Guide On Living With A Fully Functioning Alcoholic
Use the information below to schedule a free addiction evaluation where we can discuss our treatment programs, talk with your loved one about their struggle with addiction, and help them take an important step in their recovery.
To find out more about how Priory can support you in addiction treatment and recovery, call 0330 056 6023 or click here to book a FREE ADDICTION ASSESSMENT. For professionals who want to use it, click here. By a significant margin, alcohol use disorder is the most common substance problem in the United States. People suffering from this disorder can become addicted to alcohol. Even those who are not addicted can have serious problems with alcohol abuse. Many people with alcohol problems seek treatment on their own. But many do not. In some cases, the affected person may recognize the presence of alcoholism or severe alcohol abuse. But in other cases, they may deny what happened to them.
What can you do if your spouse is in denial about the effects of an alcohol use disorder? Experts recommend using a number of methods to encourage entry into appropriate treatment. These methods will not work in all cases. But when you use them, the chances of getting the desired result increase.
How do you know if you live with a spouse with an alcohol use disorder? There are 11 possible symptoms of this condition. Some of these symptoms are related to alcohol dependence, i.e. alcoholism. Others include non-addicts who abuse alcohol. From the perspective of addiction specialists, both types of symptoms are equally serious. Here are the things you should look for in your spouse:
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Only two of these symptoms within a year are necessary for a diagnosis of alcohol use disorder. However, your spouse may need help with one of them.
The effective process of treating alcoholism occurs in stages. The first goal for anyone in this situation is to stop drinking. If your spouse is an alcoholic, this is no small thing. This is partly true because people affected by alcoholism generally go through withdrawal when they stop drinking. Even under the best of circumstances, alcohol withdrawal can be extremely uncomfortable and painful. At worst, it can be dangerous.
For these reasons, medically supervised detoxification is universally recommended for people abstaining from alcohol. Detox offers two main forms of support:
After successful detoxification, initial alcohol treatment is recorded. The overall goal of this treatment is to help your spouse establish a pattern of lasting sobriety. A typical, modern recovery plan for alcoholism involves medication to prevent relapse. This includes behavioral psychotherapy. Also, your spouse may benefit from joining a mutual self-help group.
How To Help An Alcoholic In Denial
You have several options for getting help for an alcoholic loved one. Many people start by encouraging their spouse to talk to their doctor. Most general practitioners today know how to look for an alcohol use disorder. They also have some knowledge of available treatment resources.
You may also want to talk to addiction specialists who work at an alcohol treatment center. These specialists are experts in alcoholism. They understand the factors that contribute to the development of addiction. They also know how to give detailed advice on the best options for effective alcohol recovery.
There are other potentially useful sources of information about addiction treatment. For example, you may want to refer professionals who do not work at a recovery center. You can also check with your insurance provider for available resources.
Denial is not an uncommon problem in people suffering from alcoholism. This is true for several reasons. First, many people feel stigmatized because of themselves
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