By lying, they can avoid facing the reality of their situation, which can make it more difficult to get the help they need to overcome their addiction. They may tell stories of hardship or misfortune in order to evoke sympathy and understanding from their loved ones. By presenting a difficult life situation, they can gain support and understanding without having to admit that they have a drinking problem. For some, blaming others protects them from taking responsibility themselves. Lying allows them to maintain the appearance of recovery while continuing why do alcoholics lie to drink. Another reason people lie about their drinking is to avoid conflict.
This so-called “addiction lie” is an unfortunate reality that often strains relationships between family members and their addicted loved ones. The journey through alcoholism is often paved with a complex web of lies, not solely to deceive others but sometimes as a form of self-delusion. Individuals battling alcoholism might not be inherently dishonest people; instead, the nature of addiction often compels them to create an alternate reality. Many people with alcohol addiction lie about how much they drink.1 They may insist that they follow the CDC’s or their doctor’s guidelines. A person with alcohol addiction may lie to keep alcohol accessible or to increase their access to alcohol.
Coping With the Dishonesty That Comes From An Alcoholic
- Lying helps individuals hide their drinking habits, construct a false reality, avoid confrontation, and delay seeking treatment for their condition.
- Feelings of guilt and shame are also prevalent among those with alcohol use disorder, which can perpetuate a cycle of lying.
- Research shows that sustained abstinence from alcohol can lead to recovery of brain tissue and cortical thickness.
Lying as a consequence of denial helps sufferers maintain a positive view of themselves despite characteristic changes in health, relationships, and financial situations. Lying as a means of self-protection helps to minimize the number of confrontations with loved ones and to avoid institutional treatment. According to research on the motivation for lying, a large group of reasons for deception are united by a protective function. This may be to protect oneself or others from shocking information about alcohol addiction. The stress that resulted in a person’s drinking issues may be attributed to loved ones or their employers. It could also be as an accusation stating that the loved one keeps buying them alcohol and making their addiction worse.
Lying to Get Money
The effects of alcoholism on families include stress, anxiety and depression. For help coping with negative emotions related to your loved one’s drinking problems, consider attending Al-Anon or another 12-step program for friends and family members of alcoholics. These support groups allow you to interact with people in similar situations.
This is usually an attempt to hide the severity of the addiction from others. It’s also a way for them to convince themselves that their drinking is under control. Outpatient treatment is best for mild alcohol addictions, and it allows patients to attend doctor and therapy visits while still living at home. Inpatient treatment is best for moderate to severe alcohol addictions or people who have relapsed. Inpatient treatment involves living on-site at the detox or rehab facility, an approach that keeps patients in a healing environment and allows for better monitoring and treatment. Shame and guilt are self-reflective emotions requiring personal evaluation, which is particularly challenging in the context of alcoholism.
The association between perceived stigma and substance use disorder treatment outcomes is well-documented. Lying helps individuals hide their drinking habits, construct a false reality, avoid confrontation, and delay seeking treatment for their condition. This chronic deceit can strain relationships with loved ones and make recovery even more challenging. Sometimes, a person with addiction might claim that they only drink in certain situations (e.g., with dinner) or to deal with specific problems (e.g., to “unwind” after work). They may describe themselves as “social drinkers” who are influenced by their partner or friends. But more importantly, treatment is an opportunity to accept responsibility for your own choices and to learn skills that help you make different ones in the future.
- Acknowledging the problem and seeking professional help are crucial steps in overcoming the intertwined cycle of guilt and lying that alcoholism can foster.
- For some, blaming others protects them from taking responsibility themselves.
- This erosion of trust leads not only to emotional distance but also to conflicts and arguments that further damage these relationships.
- This is very dangerous for both the patient themselves and those around them.
Substance Abuse
Those who are in relationships with alcoholics may also be more likely to lie in order to protect their loved one from the consequences of their drinking. Alcoholism is a serious disease, and one of its key characteristics is the ability to lie. This article explores the reasons why alcoholics often lie and what can be done to address this behavior. Through examining the motivations and impacts of an alcoholic’s lies, we can better understand the nature of the disease and how it can be treated. Many people with alcohol addiction lie to hide their drinking habits or the severity of their addiction. Or they may say they’ve only had one beer when they’ve actually had many more.
Stigma refers to the negative judgments, avoidance, and discrimination that people with alcohol use disorder may face. This societal stigma can be so pervasive that it impacts individuals’ willingness to seek treatment. It can also contribute to a cycle of dishonesty as a means of self-protection. Research has shown that the more stigma perceived by a person with AUD, the less likely they are to seek help. This underscores the importance of addressing stigma to remove barriers to care.
They may fear that their loved ones will abandon or distance themselves if they reveal the truth about their addiction. Lying about their drinking habits or downplaying the severity of their problem becomes a way to protect the people they care about. Additionally, they may strive to uphold a certain public image, leading them to hide their addiction through deceit. Making and breaking promises or relying on a false reality is common among people who struggle with addiction.
Supporting the Recovery Journey
Grasping the actual reasons behind these falsehoods allows for a more compassionate approach. It transitions the focus from blame to understanding, empowering loved ones to address the issue with concern and empathy rather than mere confrontation. Recognizing common lies can be instrumental in identifying individuals who are silently crying out for help.
It can lead to a fortress of lies that becomes a prison, isolating the individual from the help and emotional support needed to overcome addiction. The fear of stigma and judgment, along with the desire to avoid confrontation with loved ones, can drive an alcoholic to construct a reality that hides the true extent of their drinking. This ultimately hinders the recovery process, as honesty is a cornerstone of effective treatment and long-term sobriety. Behavior changes are common in people affected by all forms of addiction.
The Reasons Behind Alcoholics’ Tendency to Lie
Additionally, denial serves to protect one’s self-image, allowing individuals to maintain a positive view of themselves despite evidence of their addiction. Those wrestling with alcohol use disorder frequently resort to dishonesty as a means to sidestep confronting their issues directly. Lying might seem like a way to avoid interpersonal problems, a negative evaluation at work, or a serious conversation with your doctor.
The Influence of Social Factors on Alcoholics’ Lies
However, these rules cannot keep alcohol use disorder (AUD), which is progressive by nature, under control. One of the most common reasons why alcoholics lie is the self-deception that nothing has changed. They may continue to work, maintain relationships, and study while in complete denial of having a drinking problem. To cover up their drinking is one of the main reasons why alcoholics lie.
