Alcoholism is a major problem in the United States. It can result in hypertension, atrial fibrillation, and other chronic diseases and be a contributing factor in dementia and cancer. Alcohol also plays a role in non-health-related deaths, including drownings, car accidents, shootings, and other avoidable accidents. Alcohol abuse also contributes to mental health struggles like anxiety and depression, job loss, legal problems, and strained relationships. Far too often, those who struggle with alcohol use don’t want to see the potential consequences of their activity and are in denial about their alcohol consumption.
High-Functioning Alcoholics
Some alcoholics can blend in, hold down a job, and maintain relationships without people knowing the extent of their alcohol use. With no one the wiser, these high-functioning alcoholics are content living under the guise of normalcy and not likely to admit that there’s a problem. They manage to attend gatherings and participate in clubs, take care of their home life, and succeed in many areas of adult life. After work these individuals tend to get straight into drinking, they’re able to drink without appearing to be drunk, and they rarely get obvious hangovers. When they do get caught indulging, they often explain it away or downplay the drinking by pointing to their healthy habits or the fact that they’re able to provide for their family with no trouble at all. But this is precisely the type of individual that will benefit from a program like a sober living house in Los Angeles.
Excuses
Many alcoholics cannot admit that they have a drinking problem. And many of those who are willing to admit it, certainly have no intentions of seeking treatment. Whether the aversion to addiction treatment is fear-based or for any other reason, there’s no denying that it’s easier to maintain a sober lifestyle when you have the proper tools to do so. Here are some common excuses often used by alcoholics.
1. I Can’t Afford Treatment
Believe it or not, many good treatment programs are low to no cost thanks to insurance. No, they’re not a fancy celebrity treatment center, but they are every bit as effective.
2. Everyone Drinks
While this is not true, oftentimes drinkers will hang out with drinkers. And many alcoholics think that those who don’t drink are weird, boring, or untrustworthy.
3. There’s Nothing Wrong with Me
There’s no problem to treat if there’s no admitting to the problem. This protects the addictive behavior.
4. I Can Quit at Will
Alcoholics want to believe that they’re in control and can stop whenever they want to with little to no effort. This is not true, because their body has become accustomed to functioning with alcohol.
5. I Can’t Handle Detox
Withdrawal symptoms are indeed unpleasant, and chances are that they already know what it feels like to not drink for just a day or two.
6. I Don’t Drink Half as Much as….
Making comparisons allows the alcoholic to minimize their behavior. Addiction has no hierarchy.
7. I Can’t ___ without Drinking
This excuse is founded on fear. Alcoholics can do anything they put their mind to without alcohol, and will often perform even better when sober.
8. I Don’t Have Time for Treatment
Everyone leads a busy life, but it’s important to take time out to attend to your health and mental well-being.
9. I’m Not Hurting Anyone or Doing Anything Wrong
Alcoholics may believe that their drinking is only hurting themselves, but the truth is that it does impact those who care about them.
10. It’ll Never Happen Again
Promises are often made that they’ll never get drunk again or behave inappropriately again, but this is an untruth. Changes in neural pathways have created an alternate reward system that relies on alcohol.
Denial does nothing to address alcoholism. It’s important to accept that there’s a problem that needs to be fixed to move towards a sober and healthy lifestyle.
