When you see a family member or loved one repeatedly choose alcohol or other drugs above all else, you might begin to lose sight of the person you thought you knew. The problem is that alcoholism—or what doctors today refer to as “alcohol use disorder”—has taken hold. The terms denial (or repression) can be defined as selective ignoring of information. Denial is a refusal to acknowledge the reality of one’s situation.
Rational beliefs are formed on the basis of solid evidence and are open for appropriate revision when new evidence makes them less likely to be true. It is now well-established that we are prone to various cognitive biases that have powerful influences on how we make decisions. For example, the confirmation bias causes people to embrace information that confirms their pre-existing narratives. People hold certain beliefs (often unconsciously) in part because they attach value to them.
Overcoming the Stigma of Seeking Help
She was also darkly depressed and felt isolated, though family and friends say they tried to reach her. On the other hand, those around her were willing to help turn her resistance to rehab into a financially profitable pop tune. Lucre for them on the back of her suffering, though she was a willing partner in this public display of self-harm. “Rehab” appeared on the album Back to Black (referring to the abyss of depression she experienced) which eventually sold 16 million copies. For example, keeping our eyes shut about the realities of a physical or mental illness can lead to serious health consequences.
Those problems affect everyone in a family, and can lead to unhealthy patterns that get passed down from one generation to the next. That is, the future consequences are not weighed in comparison with the present benefits. The benefits of drug use may be clear and immediate, while the costs are typically delayed and uncertain. They tend to prefer drugs because, at the moment of choice, they value hope house boston drugs more than they value a possible but uncertain future reward (e.g., health, relationships, or opportunities). If you think someone you know is in denial about their drug or alcohol use, try to be understanding and supportive.
Patient Care Network
However, family members and friends often have deep emotional ties that prevent them from having the objective viewpoint necessary for treatment. Don’t consider your part done after your friend or family member is in therapy. Offer to help out with work, childcare, and household tasks if they get in the way of treatment sessions.
- But it might be easier to recognize in others than in yourself.
- If your loved one is in denial or doesn’t want to seek treatment, they’re not alone.
- Whether it happens over time or immediately, the person realizes that their drinking has become a bit out of control.
- Those problems affect everyone in a family, and can lead to unhealthy patterns that get passed down from one generation to the next.
- How can you determine the best treatment fit to help your loved one get sober?
Symptoms of Denial
This behavior can be frustrating for loved ones who are genuinely concerned and trying to offer support. It’s important to deal with denial if you want to heal from alcoholism. People must first realize and accept that they have a drinking problem in order to get over this obstacle. Denial keeps them from getting help and taking the steps they need to take to get better.
“Always approach a loved one from a place of support and desire to help them, instead of leading with judgment or anger,” says Omar Elhaj, MD, a senior medical director at LifeStance Health. Sometimes, a person’s personality can influence their tendency for denial. Certain traits, such as independence and perfectionism, can add to a person’s hesitancy or reticence to seek help, says Grawert. If you know someone with alcohol use disorder (AUD), it’s natural to be concerned and want to help. Rationalization involves coming up with justifications or explanations to make their drinking seem reasonable or acceptable.
Sometimes alcohol as coping mechanism or social habit may look like alcoholism, but it’s not the same. People with alcohol use disorder don’t drink in moderation, even if they say they’re only having one drink. From a psychological perspective, denial allows the individual to maintain a sense of control and stability, even as their addiction spirals. However, it can also perpetuate the cycle of addiction and make it challenging for you or your loved one to seek help. It is essential to recognize the signs of alcoholic denial and understand the psychological factors that drive it.
Many alcoholics are able to hold down jobs, get through school, and provide for their families. But just because you’re a high-functioning alcoholic doesn’t mean you’re not putting yourself or others in danger. Drinking to relieve or avoid withdrawal symptoms is a sign of alcoholism and a huge red flag. When you drink heavily, your body gets used to the alcohol and experiences withdrawal symptoms if it’s taken away.
