Alcohol and Denial
21/08/2011
Denial is one of the biggest and strongest obstacles to getting help for alcohol abuse and alcoholism. Often desire to drink is so strong that the mind finds many ways to rationalize drinking, even when the consequences are clearly negative. Because it prevents alcoholics from looking honestly at their behaviour and its negative effects, denial also makes alcohol-related problems with work, finances, and relationships much worse over time.
If you have a drinking problem, you may deny it by:
- Constantly underestimating how much it is that you drink
- Ignoring or downplaying the negative consequences of your drinking
- Complaining that those around you are making the problem seem worse than it is
- Blaming your drinking or other problems due to your drinking on others
For example, you may blame an unfair boss when you get into trouble at work, or a nagging wife for your arguments at home, instead of thinking about how your drinking might be affecting things. While work, relationship, and money problems happen to everyone, a general pattern of things getting worse while you blame everyone but yourself can be a sign of a deeper underlying problem.
If you find yourself rationalizing your drinking habits, lying about them, or refusing to discuss the subject, stop and ask why you are so defensive. If you honestly think you don’t have a problem, why do you feel the need to cover up your drinking or make excuses? Is it possible that your drinking means more to you than you’re ready to admit? Perhaps it is now time to seek some help.
