UNDERSTANDING THE STAGE OF DENIALIN ALCOHOLISM
Most of the times people struggling with alcoholism, go through this stage at some point and especially at the onset of their addictive behavior. This is a stage that might be highly stressful to their loved ones who struggle to make them see that they have a problem yet barely manage to do so jams the addict does not see things for what they actually are. This is why they need Corona Rehab Clinic help. Alcoholics are usually in denial simply because their judgment has been impaired and hence cannot come to terms with the fact that their lives are in danger should they persist with their addictive lifestyle. Denial comes in as a defense mechanism that rationalizes their behavior by helping them escape reality of its consequences. Some of the behaviors that are noticeable with an alcoholic who is in denial include: Refusing to acknowledge that they have a problem During this stage the alcoholic is totally unwilling to see things for what they really are. They may explain their problems by saying that they drink socially and it does not affect them. In some cases they may claim that they do not drink at all and find all the possible ways of hiding it. They may also claim that they do not have any health defects thus they couldn’t possibly be addicted to alcohol. They make a lot of justifications for their addictive behavior As part of the denial stage, alcoholics may make an attempt to justify their addictions and be convinced that these justifications make sense. This can be done by blaming some family members for their addictions, or blaming it on their stressful jobs. This is done in an attempt to make their behavior seem acceptable and reasonable. Comparing themselves to other addicts Alcoholics in denial tend to compare themselves with others who are in advanced stages and may claim to be better than them hence they are not alcoholics. Sometimes they may equate their addiction to other addicts in the family hence shifting blame to them. They intellectualize their addictive behavior Alcoholics in denial will also argue that they have to drink due to a persistent health problem, or they are more confident when they drink. Such are the attempts that are made to convince the loved ones that alcohol is the only means of solving their problems hence they hope to escape responsibility of taking action through making their addiction seem sensible. The only way to help an addict come to terms with reality is letting them come through on their own without putting much pressure on them. Try as much as possible not to enable their behavior by letting them face the consequences of their action. |