Alcohol abuse denial is a common hallmark of alcoholism. Alcoholics are almost never the first to realize they have a drinking problem. Instead, they hear about it from other people.
Are you lying to yourself about your drinking?
Many of us drink too much on occasion, but alcohol use becomes abuse when it begins to interfere with your daily life and ability to function. You may have difficulty getting to work because you’ve got a hangover for the seventh time this month, or your spouse may begin to complain about the amount of money you spend on alcohol. Maybe your finances have begun to suffer, too.
Are others beginning to notice and/or complain about your drinking?
Perhaps despite previous success, your boss is increasingly after you for being late, hung over, or absent because of your drinking. Or, your friends are making themselves scarce, uncomfortable with your drinking.
Is this happening more frequently?
You still tell yourself things are fine, but even you can’t help but realize that everyone is commenting on your drinking. Deep down, you know you’ve lied to yourself for a long time about your drinking. You are in alcohol abuse denial. You can break free, but you have to want to.
Signs you’re in alcohol abuse denial
You get defensive when someone talks to you about your drinking. Always, your response is the same: “I don’t drink any more than anyone else does.” And that classic line, “I can stop any time I want to.”You rationalize your drinking. “I can’t be an alcoholic; I hold down a good job, I’ve almost never been late to work, been in an accident, or been pulled over for driving under the influence. I just like a drink after work to relax, like everyone else.” Everyone, you think, is simply overreacting.You continue to insist that it’s not a problem even when it begins to affect your life
Friends: stop coming around because they can’t handle the personality changes that happen to you when you drink.
Your spouse: fights with you about your drinking; maybe he or she “suddenly” begins to talk about or even files for separation or divorce.
Your career: is at risk. You’re increasingly late, call in sick, and otherwise fail to do your job because of your drinking. “It won’t happen again,” you insist. Except that it does. Again, and again, and again. In a worst-case scenario, you could even lose your job.
It doesn’t have to be that way
End alcohol abuse denial now before you lose your friends, your family, your career. If you’ve ever been told you drink too much, especially if a lot of people have thought so, you probably do. But you can recover and get your life back. How?
Get help
Free resources like Alcoholics Anonymous can help you stop, as can
alcohol rehabilitation programs. Go online and search out the closest Alcoholics Anonymous meeting or rehab facility. You should also seek help from us.Getting sober is easier with support. At our rehab, we will support and guide you through recovery. Contact us today to speak with an addiction specialist.
