Alcoholic -- That Can't Be True!

When you see the signs of alcoholism in yourself or someone you love, your first instinct is denial. This can't be true! Denial itself is a sign of alcoholism. People who have a drinking problem don't want to acknowledge it or admit it. That's one of the effects of the disease. Alcoholism affects the brain as well as the body, and the addiction grabs hold of you such that you don't even want to contemplate the idea of it being a problem. Every addict, every alcoholic denies that they have a problem.

Even those of us close to an alcoholic deny it. This is an aspect of the co-dependent relationship that we often have with the alcoholic in our life. Just as they are dependent upon alcohol, we are dependent upon them and even upon them drinking. As they drink, we try to carry on a normal life, and we create a status quo -- we want things to stay the same because there has been enough of an upheaval in our lives due to the drinking. Change is not good when you are in a co-dependent or alcoholic relationship. Change is frightening, and change means things are not under control.

Control is also a sign of alcoholism. The drinker cannot control his/her drinking, so they try to control other aspects of their life. The spouse, and even sometimes the children of the drinker know what it is like when things are out of control in the family. Drinking causes uncertainty and fear. Often the spouse of a drinker becomes more controlling in an effort to keep things "normal".

These are the behaviors of someone who is being psychologically affected by alcoholism. Whether you are the alcoholic, or you live with one, it has a detrimental effect on your life.

If you recognize any of these signs of alcoholism, push the denial aside and seize the only kind of control that will be helpful -- contact Al Anon, Alateen, or Alcoholics Anonymous and get some help. Your life may depend on it, and your sanity certainly does.