Alcoholism is a tricky disease: it’s invisible to the naked eye and often hard to detect for those who know the drinker well. Even if someone does notice that their loved one has been drinking excessively, they may not understand what alcoholism means or how serious of an issue it can be. In this blog post, we will explore how alcoholics try to hide their drinking from others to maintain their addiction without getting caught.
1. They drink in private.
Alcoholics will often try to drink alone to avoid detection. This can be tricky, as drinking excessively can often lead to behavioral changes that others may notice. For example, an alcoholic may start to become more reclusive and shy away from social situations, or they may start becoming irritable and aggressive. However, by drinking in private, the alcoholic can control how much they drink and minimize the chances of someone noticing their addiction.
2. They make up excuses for their behavior.
When confronted about their drinking, alcoholics will often come up with excuses for their behavior to deflect blame or justify their actions. They may say things like “I had a tough day at work” or “I’m just stressed out right now” to explain why they’ve been drinking more than usual. This can often make it harder for loved ones to confront the alcoholic about their addiction, as they may feel like they’re attacking the person when they’re only trying to help.
3. They downplay the issue.
Some alcoholics will try to downplay the seriousness of their drinking problem to avoid getting help. They may say things like “It’s not that big of a deal” or “I can handle it on my own” in order to convince themselves and others that there’s no real problem. However, by refusing to address their drinking, these individuals put themselves at risk for further health problems and even death.
4. They hide their bottles.
Alcoholics will often try to hide their bottles of alcohol to avoid detection. They may keep them in the closet, under the bed, or in some other out-of-the-way place where no one is likely to find them. This can be especially problematic if there are children in the home who could potentially find and drink from the bottles.
5. They lie about their drinking.
Some alcoholics will lie about how much they’re drinking to cover up their addiction. They may say that they only had a few beers at a party when they had a whole bottle of vodka. This can be very harmful, making it harder for loved ones to get help for the alcoholic.
6. They change their behavior around others.
By changing their behavior around others, alcoholics can often avoid detection. For example, they may start to act more responsible and mature when around their friends or family members. This can be confusing for loved ones, as it may appear as though the alcoholic has “gotten better” when in reality, they’re just hiding their addiction.
7. They drink in places where they won’t get caught.
Alcoholics will often try to drink in places where they won’t get caught. This may mean going to bars or clubs that aren’t well-known, drinking at home instead of going out, or drinking early in the morning before anyone else is up. By doing this, alcoholics can avoid detection and maintain their addiction without worrying about being caught.
8. They miss work or school due to hangovers.
An alcoholic will often try to drink in secret to avoid getting caught, but this may lead them to have a multitude of hangovers throughout the day, especially if they are drinking excessively at home before going out. This is problematic because it means that the alcoholic is missing important events or deadlines, which can hurt their careers or leads others to question why they’re so exhausted and unproductive all the time.
9. They make excuses for their behavior when hungover.
Alcoholics will often make excuses for behaving poorly the previous night when they wake up feeling hungover. They may say things like “I had too much to drink” or “I was just really stressed out” to explain why they were acting so out of character. This can make it difficult for loved ones to trust the alcoholic when they’re hungover, as they may not be able to tell if the individual is telling the truth or not.
10. They have blackouts.
Alcoholics will often drink so much that they experience blackouts, which means they forget what happened while drunk. This can be dangerous, as it can lead the individual to do things they wouldn’t normally do (like driving or having sex) without realizing it. It can also be confusing and frustrating for loved ones, who may not be able to trust the alcoholic because of their drinking. Are you struggling with alcoholism? Are you concerned that a loved one might be? If the answer is yes, then we can help. There are many alcohol addiction treatment centers across the country, and there’s sure to be one that will fit your needs and budget.
Contact us today at 844-639-8371 for more information on alcohol addiction treatment and how we can help you get sober once and for all.