Due to shame, it is common for someone with AUD to not be fully forthcoming in sharing the impact alcohol has had in their life. Repeated unsuccessful attempts to quit or control alcohol consumption can be a sign of denial. Despite recognizing the negative consequences, the individual may continue to drink excessively. Someone who struggles with alcohol use disorder could measure their own drinking patterns against the (worse) behaviors of others. Am I An Alcoholic 10 Warning Signs of Alcoholism & How To Get Help They may believe their drinking is still acceptable when compared to other people or other people drink just as much but still have their life together, imposing they can be the same.

Such problems may become more prominent when you’re no longer using alcohol to cover them up. But you will be in a healthier position to finally address them and seek the help you need. Drinking to relieve or avoid withdrawal symptoms is a sign of alcoholism and a huge red flag.

1. Often, family members and close friends feel obligated to cover for the person with the drinking problem.
2. No one wants to watch a loved one experience AUD or any other health condition.
3. The psychology behind denial involves rationalizing one’s behavior, shifting blame, and avoiding responsibility.

When your teen has a drinking problem

This is also their way to avoid being scolded or scrutinized by others. Many alcoholics are aware at some level that they have a problem, but denial can prevent them from fully acknowledging it. Encouraging treatment and supporting their recovery journey, if they choose to embark on it, can be incredibly rewarding for both parties involved. As drinking becomes more important, tasks like work, school, or family may start to suffer. This might show up as bad work, missing work, or not doing chores around the house. Engaging in self-care practices, such as exercise, proper nutrition, and maintaining a healthy sleep schedule, is also essential for managing stress during the recovery process.

Effects of alcoholism and alcohol abuse

There may be many reasons why someone is hesitant to seek help — from lack of awareness to stigma and shame. In short, “there’s not a single image of AUD,” points out Sabrina Spotorno, a clinical social worker and alcoholism and substance abuse counselor at Monument. Approaching them may feel foreign or uncomfortable, which is why some choose to reach out to mental health or addiction specialists for guidance. There are unique professionals that conduct interventions, and those individuals can be extremely helpful in these processes. Someone in the throes of an alcohol addiction may refuse to acknowledge the connection between their problems and drinking. Denial can become a sort of defense mechanism for them, allowing them to continue on this destructive path.

Next steps

Other times, it gradually creeps up on you as your tolerance to alcohol increases. If you’re a binge drinker or you drink every day, the risks of developing alcoholism are greater. This can make it difficult for individuals to recognize their problem and can lead to denial. Additionally, family and friends can contribute to the behavior of someone with AUD by assuming the responsibilities that the person should be handling themselves.

You can never force someone to accept their AUD or make someone quit drinking. Starting treatment needs to be a choice, and the person with AUD needs to be ready to make it. 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.

Ray and Mr. Hathaway refer to two of her musical icons—Ray Charles and Donny Hathaway. In her denial, she was sadly telling people if she was left alone to listen to her favorite singers and she would be OK. Addiction can be a never-ending cycle because addictive substances are both the comfort and the problem for the person who is addicted to them.

A heavy drinking binge may even cause a life-threatening coma or death. This is of particular concern when you’re taking certain medications that also depress the brain’s function. Unhealthy alcohol use includes any alcohol use that puts your health or safety at risk or causes other alcohol-related problems.

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. When a person starts abusing alcohol, they may feel they have a good reason. Stress, obligations, trauma, abuse, or any other number of negative circumstances can seem like an acceptable reason to pick up a bottle or have a drink. 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.