What Signals Indicate Alcoholism?
In Poland, drinking alcohol is not something forbidden or socially condemned. High-proof drinks are often used during special occasions, and low-proof ones in everyday life. Ethyl alcohol has a relaxing, calming effect, and gives many people courage. But where is the boundary between one beer after returning from work and addiction? The problem is usually noticed by loved ones, as they observe changes in the alcoholic's behavior. Alcohol becomes a necessary and daily element of life. At some point, functioning begins to be subordinated to drinking. Tolerance increases, so one glass of wine for relaxation eventually turns into a whole bottle. Alcoholics usually don't notice the problem because it's precisely thanks to alcohol that they feel better, stronger, and ready to act despite side effects such as hangovers. In reality, they increasingly neglect their duties and sink into their own world. They live in denial and repression. Only when facing clear losses and feeling consequences can the addicted person admit to the problem. This doesn't mean that no one should react to the changes. For most, however, this is difficult due to emotional attachment. People, due to feelings of fear, anxiety, and shame, contemplate for a long time before addressing the problem. The longer one delays, the harder it becomes to talk to an alcoholic about addiction.How to Tell an Alcoholic: You're Addicted?
The motive for starting a conversation cannot be anger and rage. Otherwise, all attempts to draw attention will end in an argument that will only push the alcoholic deeper into addiction. Alcoholics don't see that they behave differently than when sober. They believe they control their drinking and that it doesn't affect their daily life in any way. They see no difference, especially when loved ones constantly justify their actions and take full responsibility for every behavior of the alcoholic. How then to tell an addicted person about the problem? The conversation should take place during complete sobriety. It's worth using rational arguments built on emotions. Recalling specific situations based on comparison and showing concern. One must show calmness and composure. Not attack or shout. Only a balanced message can be properly received. Accusations and aggression will certainly not cause changes. The alcoholic must understand on their own that they are addicted. Treatment should be started for themselves, not because of other people's opinions, which they don't believe. Only real awareness of the problem can result in effective therapy. Of course, the above solutions won't work in every case. Everything depends on the situation and stage of addiction.Alcoholic's Excuses in the System of Illusion and Denial
Alcoholic's excuses are a topic that almost every person close to an addict has encountered. Addicted individuals, regardless of the addiction they're struggling with, often tend to use various defense mechanisms. These mechanisms are dangerous in that they help deceive both themselves and their loved ones. One of them – very popular in the case of alcoholics – is the mechanism of illusion and denial. It distorts reality and makes it difficult to help in getting out of addiction:- "I don't drink all day long" – many alcoholics justify their drinking by saying they don't drink all day. However, this doesn't mean they don't drink too much. In the case of alcohol addiction, it's about both the amount of alcohol consumed and the frequency.
- "I don't drink every day" – one should keep in mind that alcoholism doesn't have to manifest through daily drinking. Even breaks of several days don't indicate the absence of a problem. Even drinking sporadically, one can exceed the weekly safe drinking norm.
- "I go to work" – work, and often even supporting the family, is for many alcoholics an excuse they use for years. This results in significant delay in treatment, which can be catastrophic in its effects.
- "I don't have time for alcohol therapy" – devoting time to treatment means that the alcoholic will have a longer and healthier life. In practice, continuing in addiction will cost more time than treatment.
- "I can quit whenever I want" – alcoholics may stop drinking even for several days – however, over time they always return to old habits. In many cases, the reason is psychological dependence, but physical withdrawal symptoms may also be the cause.
- "All my friends drink" – an alcoholic may surround themselves with other alcoholics, but this doesn't mean their behavior is less harmful.
- "I drink only because I'm stressed/depressed/sad" – this excuse is actually an unconscious admission of the problem. People who drink to ease pain, soften depression, or suppress sadness are still addicted. For these people, drinking is often both the cause and solution to many problems.
- "It helps with my pain" – some people use alcohol to ease physical or emotional pain. This happens when a person abuses alcohol only because it improves their well-being. It doesn't justify the physical and emotional harm the alcoholic inflicts on themselves and those around them. More importantly, it doesn't solve anything. It's a temporary solution to a permanent problem.
- "I can't sleep without it" – although alcohol has a calming effect, it doesn't help with falling asleep. In fact, alcohol can actually make sleeping more difficult.
How Does the Denial Mechanism Work in an Alcoholic?
The alcoholic's mechanism of illusion and denial is nothing other than a harmful system of behaviors and beliefs that allows the addict to repress information about addiction and remain in the disease. The system of illusion and denial distorts and disrupts the thought processes occurring in the addicted person. They deceive others, but above all themselves. Thanks to the denial mechanism, an alcoholic can deceive themselves by presenting arguments indicating the absence of a problem. The addicted person also often claims that at any moment they are capable of completely giving up alcohol, and they explain drinking as moments of weakness. However, it's worth keeping in mind that these people don't think rationally. They perceive reality in a distorted way, which makes them unable to realistically determine the scale of their alcohol problem, and consequently – its consequences. See: How to recognize an alcoholic's manipulations?Mechanism of Illusion and Denial – Examples
The system of illusion and denial in alcohol disease distorts the reality surrounding the addict. Moreover, alcoholics are not aware of the denial mechanism's operation.- Denial of the problem – this is maintaining the belief that the problem doesn't exist. The addicted person will be able to deny even the most obvious facts that indicate the disease.
- Fantasizing – this is maintaining false beliefs, e.g., I'm not addicted, I can stop drinking when I want.
- Minimizing – the addict downplays the consequences of their behavior.
- Blaming – seeking fault in others, not in themselves.
- Rationalizing – "rational" justifications for their behavior that have no relation to reality.
- Coloring memories – remembering only positive events related to alcohol.
- Intellectualizing – talking about addiction as a problem that concerns others – but not us.
- Diverting attention – changing the course of conversation when uncomfortable issues are raised.
- Wishful planning – creating future plans detached from reality.
The World of Illusion of the Addict, or Limited Ability for Rational Behavior
The mechanism of illusion and denial affects the entire life of the unaware alcoholic. Its influence is most visible when the addicted person goes through a difficult period in life. As a result, the alcoholic doesn't have strong enough willpower to independently break with addiction, which is why specialized help is so important – especially psychotherapy in a reputable addiction treatment center. This will help regain control over one's own life and properly view the problem.Quick Action Increases Chances of Recovery
The answer "the sooner the better" applies to many organic diseases, however, it's also a good rule regarding alcoholism. Often, much time passes before a patient seeks treatment, and the deeper a person is in addiction, the harder it is for them to get out of it as a rule. Therefore, it's worth recognizing the first symptoms of addiction and consulting a specialist with them. In our environment, there's no shortage of drinking occasions. Name days, birthdays, company meetings, or shared barbecues – all of this provides occasions to have a drink with an acquaintance. And this often lulls our vigilance – after all, occasions create the perfect excuse. As addiction deepens, however, we may notice discreet changes. The first of them, which may indicate that we're simply drinking too much, is greater alcohol tolerance. If previously 3 beers were enough for a state of intoxication and today after 5 we feel insufficiency, a warning light should go off. Greater alcohol tolerance arises from regular drinking. Increasingly larger doses of alcohol that we need to administer to ourselves to achieve "that state" are the first serious warning sign. If addiction continues to develop, it will be noticeable that when we don't have an opportunity to drink (for example, we committed to being drivers that evening), irritation will creep into our behavior. Thoughts about drinking gradually occupy more time and eventually become the main content of the addict's life. There's no longer talk of weekends without large amounts of alcohol, and even during the week it happens to wake up with a hangover. These symptoms particularly catch the eye of loved ones – family and friends, who, worried about their close person, will be the first to try to draw attention to the problem. See: What is and how does a weekend alcoholic manifest?I'm an Alcoholic – What Next?
Everyone has their own pace when it comes to them that they've become an alcoholic. However, after realizing this fact, which is a necessary condition for consciously starting therapy, we should seek help. The first choice should be AA therapy, however in some cases it's worth supporting oneself with other methods. Alcohol detox or alcohol implants provide quick relief and can significantly speed up the pace of treatment. One shouldn't limit themselves in seeking help because quick reaction combined with using effective methods gives the best results. In alcoholism treatment, time matters, so it's not worth delaying. Sources: Jakubczyk A., Wojnar M., Całkowita abstynencja czy redukcja szkód – różne strategie terapii uzależnienia od alkoholu w świetle badań i międzynarodowych zaleceń, http://strona.ppol.nazwa.pl/uploads/images/PP32012/373JakubczykPsychiatrPol32012.pdf Armor D.J., Polich J.M., Stambul H.B., Alcoholism and treatment, https://psycnet.apa.org/record/1977-21348-000.:::cta Need help in fighting addiction? Our specialists are ready to help you. Call or schedule an online visit. Call: 880 808 880 | Schedule a visit :::
