“In some families, drinking too much is seen as comical, not a big deal, or a must during celebrations,” she adds. Consequently, many people may not realize their drinking has become a genuine problem. There are empathetic, actionable ways to support someone with an alcohol use disorder (AUD) who may be stuck in denial.
How to help a loved one in denial
In many cases, the blaming and lying will not stop until the alcoholic admits to having a drinking problem. To help these individuals consider rehab, many families hold interventions. These meetings allow family members to persuade a loved one to seek help for addiction. These individuals may become offended or enraged if someone suggests they may have a drinking problem.
Additionally, long-term effects of alcohol result in brain damage and compromise different functions of the brain, including insight and other frontal lobe processes. Not wanting to admit their alcoholism to anyone does not mean they don’t see the problem. It’s increasingly common for someone to be diagnosed with symptoms of roofied a condition such as ADHD or autism as an adult. A diagnosis often brings relief, but it can also come with as many questions as answers. Sarah Allen Benton, M.S., LMHC., LPC, is a licensed mental health counselor and author of Understanding the High-Functioning Alcoholic. American Addiction Centers (AAC) is committed to delivering original, truthful, accurate, unbiased, and medically current information.
Denial can become a sort of defense mechanism for them, allowing them to continue on this destructive path. Alcoholism is a progressive disease, and over time it will get worse. As the person’s drinking continues to worsen over time, the consequences related to alcoholism increase. Many people with the disorder are reluctant to seek rehab, partly because alcohol is a central part of their life. And they know that rehab could compromise their relationship with alcohol.
Binge or heavy drinking can wreak havoc on a person’s love life, work responsibilities, and in some cases, result in legal problems. The NIAAA Alcohol Treatment Navigator is a great tool that provides more information about alcohol use disorder, how to find treatment, and how to find support. If you or someone you know is living with alcohol use disorder, there are a number of resources that can help. If you think someone you know is in denial about living with alcohol use disorder, there are ways you can help them. There are many factors that can contribute to developing alcohol use disorder, such as stress, trauma, abuse, or any number of other circumstances. In psychological terms, denial is a defense mechanism, a skillful tool the mind can employ when things get tough.
Get helpful tips and guidance for everything from fighting inflammation to finding the best diets for weight loss…from exercises to build a stronger core to advice on treating cataracts. PLUS, the latest news on medical advances and breakthroughs from Harvard Medical School experts. what is a drinker’s nose Dealing with denial means first recognizing that it’s occurring — which can be a challenge for anyone — and then addressing the underlying issue that’s causing it. For example, maybe someone is unhappy in a relationship, but the thought of being alone is worse than the thought of being together. Or perhaps someone is burned out or overwhelmed, and lacks the energy or emotional capability for accepting what’s happening. “Part of the person feels it’s easier not to think about the situation, and lets it go because it feels like it’s too much to handle right now,” Scholl says.
Why Do Alcoholics Lie and Blame Others?
When a loved one has a drinking problem, it’s hard to know how to help, especially if they are in denial. You, nor your loved one, are under any obligation to commit to a Legacy Healing Center treatment program when calling the helpline. Loved ones sometimes protect the person who is experiencing an alcohol problem, making excuses for their poor behaviors and failure to manage responsibilities. Whether it happens over time or immediately, the person realizes that their drinking has become a bit out of control.
Reasons for denial in alcohol use disorder
It’s important for you and others involved in helping your loved one to understand and view alcohol use disorder as a long-term health condition, just like you do high blood pressure or diabetes. But not everyone living with alcohol use disorder experiences the same level of denial, if they experience it at all. Your loved one may be aware of some of the effects of alcohol use, but not of others. Encourage them to seek help, whether through support groups, counseling, or recovery programs tailored for alcohol use disorder (AUD). Remind them that admitting the need for help is the first step towards recovery.
- Many people with alcohol addiction lie to hide their drinking habits or the severity of their addiction.
- It is important to recognize that just because you have realized that your loved one may be in need of an alcohol addiction treatment program, that does not mean they will agree.
- When you realize denial is a coping mechanism, you may feel less frustrated with the behaviors you’ve seen.
- “It’s hard to look at your own life and take a good inventory of what’s going on. It takes a lot of work,” says Jonathan Scholl, a therapist and clinical social worker at Harvard-affiliated McLean Hospital.
They might downplay the frequency and amount of alcohol they consume or make excuses for their behavior when confronted by loved ones. There may be many reasons why someone is hesitant to seek help — from lack of awareness to stigma and shame. Sometimes, these groups of friends can reinforce the alcoholic’s denial, and may actually provide their own chorus of denial to support the person with the alcohol addiction. Understanding denial is a first step stages of sobriety alcohol toward helping your loved one with alcohol use disorder. When you realize denial is a coping mechanism, you may feel less frustrated with the behaviors you’ve seen. When it comes to overcoming alcoholism denial and taking the necessary steps toward recovery, finding the right support is crucial.