Recognizing these signs is the first critical step toward intervention. Common indicators include minimizing alcohol use, blaming external circumstances or stress, and expressing anger or defensiveness when confronted about drinking habits. Denial is a common defense mechanism used by individuals struggling with addiction.

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If you think you have an alcohol problem but may be in denial, or you’re concerned about someone you care about, call Castle Craig today and book a free addiction assessment. Natural consequences may mean that you refuse to spend any time with the person dependent on alcohol. For example, if your loved one passes out in the yard and you carefully help why are alcoholics in denial them into the house and into bed, only you feel the pain. The focus then becomes what you did (moved them) rather than what they did (drinking so much that they passed out outside). Often, in trying to «help,» well-meaning loved ones will actually do something that enables someone dependent on alcohol to continue along their destructive paths.

Self-Injury Awareness Day and Beyond

While it may seem daunting at times, never underestimate the power of love and compassion when trying to break through those walls built by denial. But the reality is that not even the person dependent on alcohol can control their drinking, try as they may. Many family members of someone struggling with alcohol dependency try everything they can think of to get their loved one to stop drinking. Unfortunately, this usually results in leaving those family members feeling lonely and frustrated.

What if your loved one refuses?

It can be incredibly challenging and frustrating to witness someone you care about refusing to acknowledge the severity of their drinking problem. However, it’s important to remember that denial is a common defence mechanism used by those dealing with addiction. Denial is a common and complex psychological defense mechanism that often occurs in the context of addiction, hindering individuals from seeking help and addressing their substance abuse issues [1]. Encouraging the person struggling with alcohol abuse to seek help can be a pivotal step in their journey towards recovery and healing.

It is important to express to an HFA how his or her drinking is negatively affecting you (emotionally, spiritually, physically) and how you perceive it is harming others as well (friends, children). In order to prevent an HFA from getting overly defensive, you can place the emphasis on your feelings and concerns—instead of stating how you think he or she should be living or acting. If you’re close with someone who has alcohol use disorder (AUD), it can be difficult to know what to do to minimize conflict https://ecosoberhouse.com/article/consequences-of-drinking-and-driving-dui/ and stress, support your loved one, and tend to your own needs at the same time. Warren is a Licensed Master Social Worker, who specializes in substance abuse and mental health treatment. Clinically, Warren has developed a therapeutic skillset that utilizes a strengths-based perspective, Twelve Step philosophies, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and Motivational Interviewing. The four types observed in wives of alcoholics are Suffering Susan, controlling Catherine, wavering Winifred, and punitive Polly.

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• Second, it also allows you to minimize the potential consequences that might result.
• The contemplative stage ends with the decision to make a change, yet further steps such as preparation, action, and later maintenance and likely relapse are usually needed before the addiction is controlled.
• It involves the unconscious or conscious refusal to acknowledge or accept the reality of one’s addiction.

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Be Specific About Behaviors

You can also dispel some of the myths and stereotypes about alcoholics that I have written about in other blog posts on this site and in my book Understanding the High-Functioning Alcoholic. You can help to slowly chip away at his or her denial, but it is also important to come from a place of compassion and not from a position of judgment. The contemplative stage ends with the decision to make a change, yet further steps such as preparation, action, and later maintenance and likely relapse are usually needed before the addiction is controlled. Protect your children, and don’t hesitate to keep them away from someone who drinks and does not respect your boundaries. Growing up in a home where alcohol use is common, can leave lasting scars.

By distorting perceptions and minimizing the consequences of addiction, denial serves to perpetuate the cycle of substance misuse or compulsive behaviors. Unraveling the intricacies of denial in this context allows for the development of targeted interventions that dismantle the cognitive barriers reinforcing addictive patterns. Recognizing denial as a dynamic force within the addiction recovery process is vital for tailoring comprehensive treatment approaches that address both the behavioral and psychological facets of addiction. Loved ones and friends of HFAs can also seek support for themselves in order to learn how best to navigate their relationship with the alcoholic in their life, to detach emotionally and to heal.