If you find yourself reaching for the bottle more often, telling yourself all you need is just one more drop to get better, those could be signs that you’re already way in over your head with your drinking. More than that, you’re starting to lie to people so they’d leave you in peace about your drinking. You’re starting to find reasons to tell yourself, to justify why you had another drink or threw back another shot.
Strong Denial
HelpGuide.Org says most alcoholics don’t realize they’re in deep denial about their drinking problem. And it’s probably the same for you too. If you’re finding ways to underestimate how much you drink, or hear yourself downplaying the problems and issues you have because of your constant drinking—poor performance at work, your wife leaving you—then those are signs that you’ve become an alcoholic.
Myths
Here are five things alcoholics often tell say:
#1: I can stop drinking anytime I want to. In most cases, this isn’t true. And whether it is or not, it’s just another excuse for you go on another drinking binge.
#2: It’s my problem so no can tell me what to do or when to stop. It’s not just your problem. When there’s an alcoholic in the family, it’s a family problem. It affects them, not just you. If you’ve got close family and friends, they’re affected too.
#3: I can’t be an alcoholic—I only drink wine or beer, or I don’t drink every day. It doesn’t matter if you drink every day or not. If your body has grown physically dependent on alcohol, then you already have a problem. Alcoholism happens, regardless of what alcoholic beverage you’ve become addicted to, whether it’s wine or beer.
#4: I have a job and I’m doing okay so I’m not an alcoholic. Not every alcoholic is homeless. Some alcoholics are able to function well in society: have a successful career, stay in a marriage, go to school. Sooner or later, though, the effects will eventually catch up with you.
#5: Drinking isn’t drug abuse so it’s not a real addiction. Alcoholism is just as damaging as drug addiction. Both affect the way you think and feel and has long-lasting effects on your health, career, and relationships. You even go through a similar withdrawal stage.
Recovery
Given how dangerous the symptoms are, you shouldn’t attempt to get better on your own. You need help. There are plenty of treatment centers in Malibu like the Seasons in Malibu to provide you with whatever you need.
