How To Help an Alcoholic in Denial
When planning an intervention, it’s helpful to first enlist others who have a close relationship with the alcoholic and have been negatively impacted. These can be family members, friends, coworkers, or even community members. This core team will be vital in coordinating the time and place of the intervention, as well as coordinating with other attendees.
Avoidance
It can manifest in various ways, such as minimising the amount they drink, blaming external circumstances for their drinking, or outright refusing to acknowledge that there is a problem. Understanding this can help you approach the situation with empathy and patience. Medical detox addresses the physical withdrawal symptoms safely under professional supervision, typically lasting 7-14 days. Many people need this medical support to overcome the dangerous physical aspects of alcohol withdrawal.
Dismissing Problematic Behavior
Ask them open-ended questions, sympathize (when appropriate), and remind them of the unconditional love of their family and friends. Getting them to talk gives you more opportunities to find items you both agree on or can relate to and opens the door for strengthening feelings of trust and safety. Whatever the reason, alcoholics in denial are unwilling to face the truth about their addiction. This can be very frustrating for family members and friends who are how to help an alcoholic in denial trying to help them get treatment. By focusing on enhancing self-awareness and overcoming the stigma around seeking help, you can take crucial steps towards regaining control of your life and overcoming alcoholism.
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Often, this is due to factors such as shame and fear, but it can also be because people genuinely do not accurately see or understand how their drinking has become unhealthy. You can never alcohol rehab force someone to accept their AUD or make someone quit drinking. Starting treatment needs to be a choice, and the person with AUD needs to be ready to make it. It can be difficult to help someone with AUD who is in denial about their drinking, but there are ways you can start the conversation. It’s important to stay calm, supportive, and non-judgmental throughout any conversation and to remember that acknowledging AUD can be overwhelming and frightening.
