Helping an Alcoholic Family Member in Denial

Have friends told you that you are an enabler for your spouse? Do you find yourself suffering the consequences of a loved one’s alcohol problem? It can be hard to hear that you need to change yourself when a loved one is living with alcoholism. Unfortunately, you can only change yourself, and the only way you can interrupt and change the current course of your interactions https://ecosoberhouse.com/ with people with substance abuse disorders is to change your reactions. Since no two addictions are the same, Cliffside Malibu offers an individualized treatment plan for every client. We are committed to providing evidence-based treatment through a continuum of care model including medically supervised detox, residential treatment, day treatment, and outpatient services.

According to the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism , approximately14.5 million Americansaged 12 or older have alcohol use disorder. The participants in an intervention could include the alcoholic’s spouse or partner, children, Alcoholism and Denial parents, friends, coworkers, employer, friends and other individuals who have been affected. A substance abuse counselor, family therapist or spiritual advisor may also attend to provide an objective presence and keep the agenda on track.

Helping an Alcoholic Family Member in Denial

Denial is one of the strongest defenses we have against change. No matter how bad the current situation is, we often fear change more than anything. By remaining in denial, an alcoholic doesn’t need to face the unknown. You’ll find alcoholics let go of denial as they’re ready to embrace change.

Drinking sprees can create problems at work, relationship losses, or even arrest for driving while impaired, but the alcoholic denies these problems have anything to do with drinking. Liver problems result in one of the most serious symptoms of alcoholism. It’s one of the leading causes of death for alcoholics, and it occurs because the liver scars over. As a result, addicts turn yellow, suffer immense pain, and then die. It’s not a nice way to go, and it exceeds the discomfort of withdrawal. Withdrawal symptoms happen because of the changes in the brain that take place.

Guaranteed Prescription for Recovery

Consciously or unconsciously, the codependent may help the alcoholic to continue drinking to maintain the status quo. Many high-functioning alcoholics earn a good living and can support their families while continuing to drink. Intervening in the addictive behavior may be seen as a threat to the family’s financial security — even if the family must put up with emotional neglect or physical abuse.

• How can you determine the best treatment fit to help your loved one get sober?
• When confronted about the problem they flat out deny it, knowing that it is true.
• Addiction is commonly viewed as a shameful character flaw, resulting in a fear of social rejection.
• Or, they get bombed every weekend but don’t skip a beat at their demanding job.
• When Lindsey started drinking during her senior year of high school she was already blacking out.

At Ria, we offer weekly meetings with certified counselors to help members stay on track and build skills for long-term change. You no longer have to deny the presence of addiction in your family. You do not have to accept unacceptable behavior in your life. Journals.sagepub.com needs to review the security of your connection before proceeding. Increasing isolation and distancing from friends and family.

Learn about treatment methods and rehab programs.

Similarly, heavy alcohol use is often an unhealthy means of managing stress. You can help your loved one find healthier ways to reduce their stress level by encouraging them to exercise, confide in others, meditate, or adopt other relaxation practices. When someone spends a lot of time drinking , quitting or cutting down can leave a huge hole in their lives. Encourage your loved one to develop new hobbies and interests that don’t involve drinking. Don’t cover up for your loved one or make excuses for their behavior. Trying to shield them from their responsibilities will only prevent them from seeing the negative consequences of their drinking and could delay them deciding to get help for the problem.

They can’t admit their addiction, even to themselves, because they see it as shameful, weak, or immoral. Accepting that there is a problem can lead to low self-worth and self-esteem. Denial is one of the biggest barriers to treatment for alcohol addiction. When people can’t admit to having a problem, there’s no way to find a solution. For example, if your loved one passes out in the yard, and you carefully help him into the house and into bed, only you feel the pain.

How to Approach the Conversation

Behavioral treatments include individual, group, and family therapy sessions. Convincing an alcoholic family member to get help isn’t easy. When someone is addicted, their senses of logic and reason are distorted. Instead of making it easy for your loved one to continue living with the addiction, require them to take responsibility for themselves. You can alsoreach outto the compassionate professionals at Tranquil Shores to learn more about treating addiction through denial. The negative stigma about alcoholism has created a stereotype no one wants to identify with. Even in the throes of addiction, we tend to see our ideal selves rather than the truth.

• Specific examples with emotions attached will be hard for them to argue; a generalization will make them feel more attacked.
• It cuts off the possibility of positive change, leading to a lifetime of issues with health, finances, and relationships.
• Rather, it’s defined by how drinking affects your loved one’s life.
• Liver problems result in one of the most serious symptoms of alcoholism.
• High-functioning alcoholics deny their drinking is a problem, swayed by their success.
• Consequently, many people may not realize their drinking has become a genuine problem.

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. Although an intervention can take many forms, many of these meetings open with each participant stating how the alcoholic’s behavior has harmed or disappointed them. The alcoholic is then presented with a plan of care, including a proposal of consequences if they decide to refuse. For instance, the alcoholic may be denied visitation rights or may be faced with a marital separation if he decides not to seek help. An alcoholic in denial may become extremely manipulative, tearful, angry or hostile when faced with the need for alcohol treatment.

How to approach your loved one

” Alcoholics typically do not want anyone to know the level of their alcohol consumption because if someone found out the full extent of the problem, they might try to help. If family members try to “help” by covering up for their drinking and making excuses for her, they are playing right into the alcoholic’s denial game. Dealing with the problem openly and honestly is the best approach. Those who live or have lived withactive alcoholicsor anyone struggling withaddictionfind that they have been deeply affected by the experience. Many times, the frustration and stress can be caused by your own actions and choices. By adjustingyourapproach andyourattitude toward the problem, you can place it in a different perspective so that it no longer dominates your thoughts and your life.

• Dealing with the problem openly and honestly is the best approach.
• Some high-functioning alcoholics will laugh off their alcohol consumption and drinking episodes to validate that their drinking is a choice.
• Denial is one of the biggest barriers to treatment for alcohol addiction.
• That means you’ll need plenty of patience when supporting your loved one’s recovery.
• When someone is addicted, their senses of logic and reason are distorted.