Helping Alcoholics In Denial: Effective Strategies For Support And Intervention

Remember, seeking professional help is a positive step towards supporting your loved one in their journey towards recovery. In addition to boundaries, having expectations in place can help the person with AUD understand how their actions are affecting others. For example, you might expect them to minimise the impact of their drinking on the wider family and work cooperatively with you to reduce these effects.

Preserving personal well-being can be accomplished by establishing healthy boundaries and seeking support through groups such as Al-Anon and therapy. Addressing how to deal with alcohol abuse requires a comprehensive approach, which should include therapy, building a strong support system, and possibly medication. Key steps involve setting attainable goals, fostering a supportive environment, and developing strategies for managing triggers.

By the time families seek help, the disease may have escalated to a crisis like an accident, job loss, arrest or medical emergency. Often, the person struggling with addiction is the last to recognize the problem. It’s important to understand that alcoholism isn’t just about how much someone drinks—it’s a chronic, progressive disease. What you can do is learn about addiction, explore effective recovery options, and seek the support you need and deserve.

Treatment & Support

Those struggling with AUD might justify their drinking due to stress, trauma, or other life pressures, making denial feel more acceptable. Research indicates that denial is more prevalent among individuals who endorse fewer DSM-IV criteria and those with alcohol abuse rather than dependence. It’s important to recognize these distinctions to provide appropriate support for individuals with alcohol dependency. Individuals with alcohol use disorder frequently exhibit denial due to feelings of shame and inadequate knowledge about their addiction. This denial can hinder both the affected person and their loved ones from recognizing the seriousness of the problem. Common denial behaviors include shifting blame and minimizing the impact of their drinking.

Understanding the stages of alcoholism—including early warning signs and behavioral patterns—can help you recognize when support is needed. In cases where alcohol poisoning may be a concern, Naloxone Finder provides a valuable resource for accessing naloxone, a medication used for overdose prevention. Naloxone can be a life-saving intervention for individuals experiencing alcohol poisoning. In addition to supporting your own mental health, this serves as a role model to your loved one. Instead, she recommends seeking more formal support with Al-Anon or therapy to help you create boundaries and care for yourself. If your loved one is in denial or doesn’t want to seek treatment, they’re not alone.

• Seeking support from these national helplines, online support groups, and text services can provide essential guidance and encouragement for both the high-functioning alcoholic and their loved ones.
• The professional ensures the conversation stays on track, preventing emotional outbursts or arguments that could derail the process.
• When it comes to helping a high-functioning alcoholic, it’s important to approach the situation with sensitivity and understanding.
• Dealing with an alcoholic in denial can be emotionally draining, so ensure you have a support system in place, such as friends, family, or a support group like Al-Anon.
• Also known as a ‘high-functioning alcoholic,’ alcoholics in denial keep their alcoholic behavior secretive so they appear, at least on the surface, to be living regular lives.
• Finally, provide resources and information about professional assessments for alcoholism.

What Is The Most Difficult Stage Of Alcoholism?

You’re likely having this discussion because you’re worried about the person’s well-being and future. Point out recent incidents where they’ve engaged in high-risk behaviours, have jeopardised their work, or have disappointed loved ones. This is meant to serve as a gentle reminder that the problem is real and impacting their lives. Try to pick somewhere quiet and private so your loved one doesn’t feel ambushed or attacked. It should ideally be a place where they feel safe and comfortable and where you won’t be interrupted. If your loved one feels relaxed, this will make it more likely that they’ll be able to open up to you about their drinking in an honest way, instead of just denying it.

• With residential, outpatient and virtual care options available across the country, Hazelden Betty Ford treatment centers offer every patient the very best chance for lifelong recovery.
• Denial is often a self-defense mechanism, as admitting to a serious problem with alcohol can be overwhelming and frightening.
• Recognize signs of denial, such as defensiveness and secrecy, to provide informed support.
• Not everyone with AUD demonstrates denial, but it’s a common occurrence that can prevent people from seeking treatment.
• The term ‘currently functioning’ is often used in association with functioning alcoholism.

AUD symptoms

For others, an inpatient program that can help with withdrawal and mental health concerns might be a good choice. Help them understand the reality of their situation with empathy and keep communication open. Addressing the issue requires understanding denial and showing support through shared experiences, ultimately guiding the individual toward recognizing their need for help.

Taking Care of Yourself

With residential, outpatient and virtual care options available across the country, Hazelden Betty Ford treatment centers offer every patient the very best chance for lifelong recovery. You may be wondering how to help the addict realize that they have a problem so they can get the help they need. At the same time, you may be burned out and frustrated, wondering how you can stay sane as you live the rollercoaster life with an alcoholic in denial.

People with alcohol use disorder might deny their drinking problem due to feelings of shame, stress, and fear at the thought of confronting the problem. The term ‘currently functioning’ is often used in association with functioning alcoholism. It means that, while the person might be able to go about their daily life right now, it’s often only a matter of time before they see the negative consequences of addiction. One of the key advantages of professional intervention is the expertise in handling resistance and denial. Alcoholics in denial often have deeply ingrained defenses, and a trained professional knows how to address these without triggering further resistance.

Instead, focus on positive reinforcement and understanding, and remember to steer clear of negative labels such as ‘addict’ and ‘alcoholic’. Moreover, they frequently experience health issues such as heightened surgical complications, mental health challenges, and liver disease, which greatly impact their physical health. Treatment programmes at Priory can be on a residential, inpatient basis at one of our leading hospital sites across the UK, allowing you to receive round-the-clock expert treatment. Alternatively, we can treat you on an outpatient or day care basis – allowing you to recover from addiction around your other responsibilities. Alcohol addiction can be a very sensitive issue, especially if it’s being raised with the person for the first time.

What causes addiction, and why is it so hard to treat?

People with AUD may simply dismiss the topic of their drinking whenever it comes up. They may tell their loved ones, “Don’t worry about it,” when they try to discuss their drinking with them. They may also make comparisons, such as “I don’t drink as much as Charlie, and he’s not having any problems.” Denial can come in many forms, such as rationalization, minimization, and blaming.

Helping Alcoholics In Denial: Effective Strategies For Support And Intervention

Also known as a ‘high-functioning alcoholic,’ alcoholics in denial keep their alcoholic behavior secretive so they appear, at least on the surface, to be living regular lives. These support services are designed to ensure that individuals dealing with substance use and their loved ones have access to confidential and professional assistance when needed. Whether it’s through helplines, text services, or online support groups, individuals in Canada have a range of options to seek guidance and support on their journey towards recovery.

How to Help a High-Functioning Person with Alcohol Use Disorder

Explain that denial itself is a significant indicator, as is feeling guilty about drinking or making unsuccessful attempts to cut back. Discuss how alcoholics often downplay their drinking or become defensive when confronted. Encourage self-reflection by asking, “Have you ever felt like you need a drink to get through the day?” This can help them connect their emotional struggles to their alcohol use. After trying fruitlessly to help the addict in denial realize the extent of the issue, it’s natural to clam up and have a difficult time discussing the drinking with your loved one. Open the lines of communication around the topic in a way that allows you to share your frustration while the alcoholic can share their part of the story, too. It’s important to note that although some alcoholics are aware that they are addicted and know helping a high-functioning alcoholic in denial that they need help, they don’t have the courage to pursue it.