The Different Types of Denial in Alcoholics
Alcoholism exhibits itself in a number of ways. Not everyone that needs alcohol rehab will come across as a quivering wreck that cannot leave the house. The fact of the matter is a considerable portion of those who need help do so because they are in denial about their problems. They do not recognise their destructive behaviours or the negative effects they are having on others.
You need to know how to recognise denial in alcoholics. In this article, we will discuss these matters.
1) Basic Denial
Basic denial is exactly what it appears to be. Someone is drinking himself or herself half to death but they do not believe they have a problem. These individuals fit the standard stereotype of the person suffering from an alcohol addiction. They will claim they are not drinking half as much as they actually are.
In this case, you need to show them what they are doing to themselves. Often, it takes a doctor or a family member to tell them that they are killing themselves. They need a wakeup call to break through their denial and begin to address their destructive behaviours.
2) High-Functioning Addiction
On the other side of the spectrum, there are alcoholics who do not fit the standard definition. These people may drink the finest liqueurs every so often. They do not suffer the same consequences as someone who does not have a job and drinks continually every day. These alcoholics are more difficult to convince because they know they have not suffered a lot of the usual consequences that tend to affect addicts and those closest to them.
These individuals are more likely to fall into higher income brackets, as a result. Moreover, the symptoms of addiction may not appear until much later in life.
3) Denial Caused by Others
The final type of denial is a denial that has been compounded by others. Alcohol rehab clinics regularly take on alcoholics who have been told for years by family and friends that their behaviour is perfectly acceptable. These people may have built up a tolerance to alcohol over the years, and therefore will never appear drunk despite a heavy drinking session.
Another common situation is where the person is surrounded by similar heavy drinkers. They themselves may exhibit alcoholic tendencies, but the people around them are also borderline alcoholics. This is where behaviour almost becomes acceptable, and it is what eventually leads to serious problems later on in life.
4) What Can You Do?
Unfortunately, many alcoholics that fall into categories two and three often cannot see they have a problem until they develop health complications. They need something to really hit home before they go about seeking help.
An alcoholic that falls into category one is the easiest person to convince because they are not ignorant of their behaviours. They are constantly drunk and they know they have a problem. The issue is they deal with their problem through more drink. To get them to private alcohol rehab, all you can do is talk. All you can do is make them see the error of their ways.
You need to know how to recognise denial in alcoholics. In this article, we will discuss these matters.
1) Basic Denial
Basic denial is exactly what it appears to be. Someone is drinking himself or herself half to death but they do not believe they have a problem. These individuals fit the standard stereotype of the person suffering from an alcohol addiction. They will claim they are not drinking half as much as they actually are.
In this case, you need to show them what they are doing to themselves. Often, it takes a doctor or a family member to tell them that they are killing themselves. They need a wakeup call to break through their denial and begin to address their destructive behaviours.
2) High-Functioning Addiction
On the other side of the spectrum, there are alcoholics who do not fit the standard definition. These people may drink the finest liqueurs every so often. They do not suffer the same consequences as someone who does not have a job and drinks continually every day. These alcoholics are more difficult to convince because they know they have not suffered a lot of the usual consequences that tend to affect addicts and those closest to them.
These individuals are more likely to fall into higher income brackets, as a result. Moreover, the symptoms of addiction may not appear until much later in life.
3) Denial Caused by Others
The final type of denial is a denial that has been compounded by others. Alcohol rehab clinics regularly take on alcoholics who have been told for years by family and friends that their behaviour is perfectly acceptable. These people may have built up a tolerance to alcohol over the years, and therefore will never appear drunk despite a heavy drinking session.
Another common situation is where the person is surrounded by similar heavy drinkers. They themselves may exhibit alcoholic tendencies, but the people around them are also borderline alcoholics. This is where behaviour almost becomes acceptable, and it is what eventually leads to serious problems later on in life.
4) What Can You Do?
Unfortunately, many alcoholics that fall into categories two and three often cannot see they have a problem until they develop health complications. They need something to really hit home before they go about seeking help.
An alcoholic that falls into category one is the easiest person to convince because they are not ignorant of their behaviours. They are constantly drunk and they know they have a problem. The issue is they deal with their problem through more drink. To get them to private alcohol rehab, all you can do is talk. All you can do is make them see the error of their ways.
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