Helping a High-Functioning Alcoholic in Denial

It’s important to stay calm, supportive, and non-judgmental throughout any conversation and to remember that acknowledging AUD can be overwhelming and frightening. There may be many reasons why someone is hesitant to seek help — from lack of awareness to stigma and shame. People who are high functioning with a drinking problem “seem to have everything together,” says Matt Glowiak, PhD, LCPC, a certified advanced alcohol and drug counselor.

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If your loved one is truly dependent on alcohol, they are going to drink no matter what you do or say. Don’t view your attempt as a failure if your loved one doesn’t acknowledge the problem in your first talk. It often takes repeated conversations, sometimes over months or years, to succeed in your efforts. The longer they refuse to admit a problem, the more it is that they’ll keep drinking. While the denial is helpful in the short term, it can hinder long-term recovery.

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This could contribute to why people with alcohol use disorder often have a difficult time being aware of and confronting the severity of their addiction. You might ask, why would someone experience denial about a dangerous illness like alcohol use disorder? Unfortunately, there is no complete theory of denial as it relates to addiction. We need more scientific research to be able to say for sure what factors lead to denial in people with alcohol addiction.

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All Addiction Resource content is medically reviewed or fact checked to ensure as much factual accuracy as possible. Enabling also creates an environment that fosters co-dependency and negatively impacts appropriate support systems. False agreements give the appearance that they are willing to address the issue and seek help. But deep down inside, there’s resistance preventing them from taking meaningful action toward recovery.

Other ways to get help include talking with a mental health professional or seeking help from a support group such as Alcoholics Anonymous or a similar type of self-help group. In conclusion, denial of a general alcohol problem by individuals who admitted to multiple AUD criteria items was quite common in the SDPS, despite prodigious maximum drinking quantities. This pattern of denial indicates that greater efforts need to be made to educate our patients and our colleagues regarding what an AUD is and how serious the prognosis can be.

Alcoholic Denial: How to Help Someone Who Is in Denial

Because denial is common, you may feel like you don’t have a problem with drinking. You might not recognize how much you drink or how many problems in your life are related to alcohol use. Listen to relatives, friends or co-workers when they ask you to examine your drinking habits or to seek help. Consider talking with someone who has had a problem with drinking but has stopped. No one wants to watch a loved one experience AUD or any other health condition.

• «It keeps us safe. It also keeps us from looking at ourselves or addressing something around us and making a change.»
• They can help you recognize and overcome denial, improve your habits, or get help for a substance use disorder.
• It is a means of coping with anxiety-provoking or distressing thoughts or emotions.
• The ability to recognize harmful behaviors and the negative consequences of drug use is an important aspect of a person’s recovery.

• Comparisons included demography, alcohol-related patterns and problems, drug use, as well as impulsivity and sensation seeking.
• Additionally, speaking with a therapist, talking to people who are in recovery, confiding in their physician, and exploring recovery resources may empower a person in denial to seek help on their terms.
• 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.
• Resurgence Behavioral Health emphasizes the need for active participation in therapy, counseling, and support groups to facilitate healing.
• Enabling occurs when someone else covers up or makes excuses for the person who has a SUD.
• How can you determine the best treatment fit to help your loved one get sober?

They might feel powerful, unpleasant emotions such as shame, stress, and fear at the thought of confronting the problem. So, when supporting your loved one, it alcoholism and denial can be beneficial to lead with love, compassion, and understanding. If they’re not receptive, keep trying — and set boundaries to protect your own well-being.