Coming to the first step of recovery, admitting you have a problem with alcohol, is hard to do when you don’t want to admit you have a problem with alcohol. Denial can take you years deeper into your alcoholism than you need to go. Perhaps you aren’t yet experiencing the chemical dependency on alcohol which includes physical symptoms of withdrawal. Here are a few signs (and excuses) of psychological dependency.
When You Drink, You Prefer To Drink Alone Or With Other Drinkers
You can’t drink the way you’d like to drink around friends or family anymore. They simply don’t drink the way you do and every time you drink around them there tends to be a fight. Mostly, those fights are about you and your drinking. Everyone seems to think they can offer an opinion on you and your drinking, which just makes you want to drink more. In order to avoid the drama, you drink by yourself, or with your drinking friends.
Reality: you’re avoiding your family, friends, and loved ones because they are concerned you have a drinking problem.
You Drink To Take The Edge Off
You’re under a lot of stress. Your relationship is rocky right now. There’s a lot going on at work. Your friends are being really annoying. You have car problems. Everything just seems to be bothering you. Since everyone else in the world seems to have a drink or two under hard times, you don’t think there’s anything wrong with having a drink when there’s something going on. Lately, there just happens to be something going on…all the time.
Reality: You drink to cope with unpleasant feelings and only find pleasure through the effects produced by alcohol.
It’s Just Better When There’s Alcohol Around
Generally, you feel a bit more relieved when you know alcohol will be present at home, at a function, or with you anywhere you go. It isn’t uncommon for you to bring a flask or a bottle with you so you can take a few extra shots or swigs when no one is looking. Your anxiety feels out of control when you don’t have a drink and the extra alcohol helps you stave off unpleasant feelings.
Reality: You’re completely dependent upon alcohol to function.
Admitting you have a problem with alcohol is hard. Living long term with an alcohol problem is harder. Alcoholism is a progressive disease. Thankfully, recovery is progressive as well. Though alcoholism will take you down, recovery is going to build you up. Our programs at LEAD Recovery Center are focused on leadership, mentorship, and lifeskills to help build each client up into a fully independent and autonomous sober individual. For more information, call 800-380-0012.
