Alcohol use disorder Symptoms and causes

Engaging in arguments often leads to defensiveness and further denial. Instead, try empathizing with the underlying concerns they may have. Acknowledge their struggles but gently point out how alcohol is exacerbating their problems.

By rationalizing their behavior, individuals in denial avoid facing the truth about the negative effects of their alcohol consumption and maintain a sense of control over their drinking habits. This psychological defense mechanism can be challenging to break through but is essential for recovery from addiction. During an intervention with a loved one, family members show the symptoms of wet brain from alcoholism love and support while setting clear boundaries around substance abuse and consequences related to drinking. Clinical interventionist Drew Horowitz explains that an intervention with an alcoholic is not a confrontation, a fight or an argument. It's a family meeting—often facilitated by a professional who understands what it takes to motivate someone to enter treatment.

Research suggests that denial may be experienced by people with alcohol use disorder. People with AUD often deny they have an unhealthy relationship with alcohol. Often, this is due to factors such as shame and fear, but it can also be because people genuinely do not accurately see or understand how their drinking has become unhealthy.

1. GABA has particular binding sites available for ethanol, thus increasing the inhibition of the central nervous system when present.
2. Theories suggest that for certain people drinking has a different and stronger impact that can lead to alcohol use disorder.
3. When it comes to overcoming alcoholism denial and taking the necessary steps toward recovery, finding the right support is crucial.
4. For example, someone might express that they can handle alcohol just fine or that they only drink socially; it's not a problem.

By dismissing the issue, they avoid acknowledging that their drinking has become problematic and refuse to engage in meaningful conversations about seeking help or making changes. This behavior can be frustrating for loved ones who are genuinely concerned and trying to offer support. Researchers estimate that up to 50% of people who would benefit from personalized care remain unaware that resources are available.

High-functioning alcoholics: drowning in the river of denial

Most residential treatment programs include individual and group therapy, support groups, educational lectures, family involvement, and activity therapy. If your pattern of drinking results in repeated significant distress and problems functioning in your daily life, you likely have alcohol use disorder. However, even a mild disorder can escalate and lead to serious problems, so early treatment is important. I have even witnessed many alcoholics steadfastly defending their “right” to live as they please, including to drink as they wish. The problem is that no one is trying to take away their right to drink. But it is sheer reality itself that is dictating they must stop drinking if they wish to end their worst suffering and continue living.

How to Talk to an Alcoholic in Denial

For example, someone struggling with denial will tell you, "Yeah, I need to cut back" or "This is my last drink," yet continue drinking excessively without making any real changes in their behavior. Unconditional love and encouragement will go a long way in helping your loved one find freedom from alcoholism but, ultimately, the desire to change has to come from within. Too much alcohol affects your speech, muscle coordination and vital centers of your brain.

Normalization of alcohol misuse by others

Individuals blame outside influences instead of recognizing personal accountability for their actions and choices. In such a manner, they can avoid confronting the reality that they have a drinking problem. In the pre-contemplation stage, someone may not view themselves as having an addiction or be willing to evaluate their actions (denial). As the behavior continues, a person may begin to reckon with the idea that there may be a problem (contemplation). Denial can persist for short or long periods and looks different for everyone. However, as addictive behaviors become more disruptive to a person’s life, it can be harder to deceive oneself and others and ignore what is happening.

You can also visit the NIAAA Rethinking Drinking website or read the NIAAA treatment guide to learn more about alcohol use disorder and to find help for your loved one. The NIAAA Alcohol Treatment Navigator is a great tool alcoholic cardiomyopathy that provides more information about alcohol use disorder, how to find treatment, and how to find support. Sometimes, it may be easier for your loved one with alcohol use disorder to avoid talking about it completely.

Being dishonest or lying about alcohol consumption is pretty common with alcoholism. It cuts off the possibility of positive change, leading to a lifetime of issues with health, finances, and relationships. People with alcohol use disorder sometimes have reduced capacity for organizing and analyzing available evidence to draw a conclusion. This may cause rigid thinking or concreteness of thought, making it hard to change their minds on a topic like whether they have a serious drinking problem. The person with alcohol use disorder may try to justify their behaviors or offer reasonable alternatives to why something happened.

How to help a loved one in denial

And they know that rehab could compromise their relationship with alcohol. This stigma creates shame, guilt and fear in individuals who are addicted to alcohol. After treatment, the patient should be referred to AA and urged to abstain from alcohol. For patients without support, a social worker should be involved to help facilitate addiction rehabilitation. Alcohol use disorder can lead to various physical and mental health conditions. The continued use of alcohol causes changes in the central nervous system and neurotransmitter production in the brain.

Next steps

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. If you cover for your loved one by lying to their alcoholic narcissist alcohol and narcissistic personality disorder boss, for example, they won’t experience the negative consequences of their drinking and will remain in denial. For many who struggle with alcohol use disorder, it’s much easier to pretend that the problem doesn’t exist.

Moderate symptoms include hallucinations and alcohol withdrawal seizures (rum fits) that can occur 12 to 24 hours after cessation of alcohol and are typically generalized in nature. About 50% of patients who have had a withdrawal seizure will progress to delirium tremens. The most effective way to prevent alcohol withdrawal syndrome is to avoid drinking or drinking only in moderation. Doctors usually use a type of drug called benzodiazepines to reduce alcohol withdrawal symptoms.

Too much alcohol can irritate the stomach lining, cause dehydration, and lead to an inflammatory response in the body. As the alcohol wears off, these effects lead to common hangover symptoms, such as headache, nausea, and fatigue. Chronic alcohol use can cause complex changes in their brain, including to the neurotransmitters dopamine and gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA), which affect excitement and a person’s sense of reward. If a loved one is in a state of denial, it's not easy to pull them out of their situation. For example, someone addicted to alcohol  may think it is their  life's best time.

So, treatment may also include electrolyte corrections and multivitamin fluids. Drastic changes in blood pressure and heart rate can also develop, which may lead to a stroke or heart attack. Support their mental health and try to talk about the reason behind their Alcohol use disorder (AUD). Brain damage from alcohol misuse causes cognitive impairment resulting in a lack of insight. Stage 3- When a person conceals their  addiction voluntarily due to a feeling of remorse.

Denial of an overarching alcohol problem despite endorsement of specific alcohol-related difficulties may be central to development and continuation of alcohol use disorders (AUDs). However, there is limited information about which characteristics of drinkers and which drinking problems relate most closely to that denial. It is important to recognize that just because you have realized that your loved one may be in need of an alcohol addiction treatment program, that does not mean they will agree. Coming to the rescue of a loved one who struggles with alcohol dependence may seem like the right thing to do, but it essentially allows them to never experience the negative consequences of their drinking.