Some people with alcohol use disorder hide or deny they have difficulty with alcohol use. There are many reasons why someone would do this, like fear of societal rejection or being “blamed” for their condition. By dismissing the issue, they avoid acknowledging that their drinking has become problematic and refuse to engage in meaningful conversations about seeking help or making changes. This behavior can be frustrating for loved ones who are genuinely concerned and trying to offer support.
Free Healthbeat Signup
And not everyone with alcohol use disorder experiences it the same way. No content on this site, regardless of date, should ever be used as a substitute for direct medical advice from your doctor or other qualified clinician. If is mary jane a drug you recognize denial in others and you’d like to point it out, tread very carefully.
Evoking calm: Practicing mindfulness in daily life helps
We are available to explore addiction treatment options that can help you or your loved one get the assistance needed to start recovery. One of the most supportive things a friend, family member, or coworker can do for a high-functioning alcoholic is to acknowledge the alcohol problem and the need for an alcohol treatment program. It allows a person with an alcohol use disorder to dismiss all warning signs that their alcohol abuse has become a problem. Someone in the throes of an alcohol addiction may refuse to acknowledge the connection between their problems and drinking.
It’s essential to convey a message of hope to your loved one struggling with alcoholism denial. Let them know that there are ways they can overcome their addiction and live a fulfilling life once again. When your loved one is in denial about their alcohol consumption, they may become defensive and protective of their behavior.
Related Content
People with AUD often deny they have an unhealthy relationship with alcohol. Often, this is due to factors such as shame and fear, but it can also be because people genuinely do not accurately see or understand how their drinking has become unhealthy. No one wants to watch a loved one experience AUD or any other health condition. You can offer support to someone with AUD who is in denial and take steps to ensure you’re not enabling their drinking, but you can’t make them get help.
Secondary denial is a form of denial that doesn’t come from the alcoholic, but from the people they surround themselves with. Whether it is a ‘drinking buddy’ alcoholic narcissistic mother or a loved one, these people echo the sentiment of the person struggling with addiction. Completing alcohol rehab is a proven method for overcoming alcoholism. In rehab, people undergo alcohol detox, learn about the dangers of alcoholism and find new ways to avoid drinking.
- Understanding the reasons behind alcoholism denial can shed light on why individuals refuse to acknowledge their drinking problem.
- In fact, their loved ones may reinforce the denial by not acknowledging the warning signs themselves.
- The fact that they are able to function and, in many cases excel, feeds their denial and leads them to truly believe that they are not alcoholic.
- Coming to the rescue of a loved one who struggles with alcohol dependence may seem like the right thing to do, but it essentially allows them to never experience the negative consequences of their drinking.
All experts agree that when talking to your loved one, it’s best to be patient and compassionate. According to Conroy, it may be easy to get caught in denial with AUD if you subconsciously feel something is wrong with you at your core. It also might mean admitting that they don’t have it all together, and their exterior (and interior) world is crumbling. All Addiction Resource content is medically reviewed or fact checked to ensure as much factual accuracy as possible. Enabling also creates an environment that fosters co-dependency and negatively impacts appropriate support systems.
People using denial are unlikely to admit they use alcohol heavily and that their relationship with alcohol is unhealthy. This can be very frustrating for friends and family, but there are ways to make a conversation easier. For these individuals, dishonesty can be intentional or unintentional. They may lie to simultaneously maintain their drinking habits and their relationships with loved ones. They may also engage in evasion, deception and manipulation how to safely wean off alcohol to distort the truth about their alcoholism.
