How to Identify Alcohol Addiction When the Signs Aren’t Obvious

Most people imagine an addicted person in a particular way, but alcohol abusers are usually not viewed like that. There are different reasons for that, but the major one is rather obvious – alcohol abuse is legal and rather common, meaning that people see alcohol abusers as rather normal almost everywhere. One can see alcohol abusers after barbecues, weddings, and even after a routine week at work – that is rather common, and nothing is seen wrong with that. Other types of abuse are not viewed that way, meaning that alcohol abusers can be rather unnoticed. Moreover, alcohol abusers usually do not see that they have a problem, as everything progresses slowly and there is no clear line between occasional use and alcohol abuse.

Alcohol addiction: hidden in plain sight

1. Cultural acceptance of drinking

Drinking is rather normal in most societies. People tend to drink more during holidays, both happy and sad. When one has a bad day, he/she can drown his worries in a glass of whiskey and get drunk, toasting to both dead relatives and fresh opportunities. That is normal in most societies as people who drink feel good while being drunk. That is the major difference between alcohol abusers and other types of addicts as whenever one sees a group of drunk people, there is a high probability that either there are alcoholics who have occasional binge-drinking episodes or that occasional binge-drinking is happening for the first time in their lives. There is almost no difference between the two.

2. Functional alcoholism

Most alcohol abusers are functional alcoholics, meaning that on the first glance, they seem rather normal, having a good job and being rather successful. This may come as a surprise, but alcohol abusers can have careers that require a responsible approach and good coordination, and their surroundings usually do not suspect anything.

3. Victim’s denial and normalization

The major symptom of alcohol abuse is the victim’s denial. It can be directed to different people, from parents to best friends, saying that everything is fine while the victim himself/herself knows that she/he drinks too much. It is not rare that the victim eventually starts believing those words, thinking that there is no problem when there is one. Those lies can be normalized, meaning that other people can acknowledge that there may be a problem, but it is not that bad. In some cases, it can affect the victim’s perception of reality, while in reality, the victim has severe alcohol abuse. In some cases, it can be justified as the victim may indeed have some problems requiring attention.

4. Harmful effects of alcohol

Drinking itself is not harmful, but the major problem is that its effects are not felt immediately. In other words, one cannot come to an alcoholic and tell him/her that he/she has a problem on the first visit. Unlike other types of abuse, alcohol abuse does not make people violent or crazy but poisons them from within, and that process is not felt immediately. What people usually refer to as alcohol abuse is already rather serious, as otherwise, the damage would be seen on the victim’s appearance.

5. Alcoholism stigma

Alcoholism is usually not viewed as a desirable problem, meaning that most alcohol abusers are embarrassed about their alcohol addiction. Even though alcohol abuse is rather common and normalized in most societies, it is still not something that people want to talk about openly. That is why alcohol abusers tend to hide their problem as much as possible. This can explain why alcohol abuse is rather common and progresses slowly – most alcohol abusers are embarrassed about their addiction and try to conceal it as much as possible. That also means that they will seek help in unconventional ways, which can worsen their state due to those unorthodox methods.

Alcohol addiction symptoms and what to do about them

Most people know the symptoms of alcohol abuse, but fewer people actually know what to do about them. In case of alcohol abusers, the things that non-addicted people usually do are rather limited as talking about the problem is not always an option. In most cases, a few kind words can help the victim realize that she/he has a problem. That may depend on the situation, but there is always something that can be done.

1. Seeing the big picture

Drinking occasionally is not a problem, whether it is bar-hopping once in a while or having several drinks with friends once a year. It is up to the victim to decide whether she/he will be able to stop when it is time to do that. In other words, you should not judge the victim for having a glass of wine at her/his bachelor party. That applies to all occasional use as you cannot judge the victim for being drunk if that happens rarely and only on certain occasions.

2. Looking beyond the number of drunk days

The frequency of drinking is not as important as most people think. Sometimes, the only symptoms of alcohol abuse are the victim’s sadness, paranoia, and occasional aggression. It is not rare that the victim starts avoiding her/his responsibilities at work or at home, as well as socializing in general. It is important to look beyond the frequency and pay attention to those symptoms as well.

3. Be non-judgmental and understanding

It is important to look at the victim’s problems from her/his perspective. The victim feels terrible about herself/ himself and her/his alcohol abuse, and being judgmental or cruel about the situation will only make things worse. If you feel that the victim has a problem and you want to help her/him but you cannot stand her/him, it is important to talk to the victim and understand her/him, seeing the situation from her/his point of view. You can also explain your point of view, telling the victim how you feel and what you want from her/him. In most cases, a few kind words from close people are all the victim needs to realize that she/he has a problem.

4. Supporting the victim and encouraging her/him to seek professional help

Sometimes, it is not enough to rely only on close people and their support. In some cases, it may be necessary to encourage the victim and promise that you will always be by her/his side. The victim must know that she/he is not alone and that there is an actual solution to her/his problem. You may need to research different options, consulting professional therapists and psychologists. Professional help is mandatory if the victim wants to beat her/his addiction for good.

5. Help the victim develop her support network

Most alcohol abusers have rather limited support networks, meaning that it is important to help the victim find people who will always be there for her/him. Close people are crucial as during the darkest moments, the victim will need their support most of all. That goes for support groups as well, which can be rather helpful in some cases. The victim needs people to talk to, both to vent and to share useful experiences – she/he needs a support network to rely on during her/his darkest hours. This way, that network will become her/his anchor in the stormy sea of alcoholism.

Early intervention makes a world of a difference

Most people think that alcohol abusers can only hit rock bottom before seeking help, but that is not necessarily true as early intervention plays a rather crucial role in treating alcohol abuse. If the victim gets help in time, there is no need to wait for the worst moment to come. Early intervention also makes the whole process less stressful for the victim as she/he will not feel as traumatized as she/he could.

There is a popular belief that in order to overcome alcohol abuse, the victim has to hit rock bottom first, but that is not true as it completely ignores the situation. Alcohol abusers are usually unaware of their problem for much too long, meaning that they are functional alcoholics. Early intervention is rather crucial in those cases. In other words, if the victim does not realize that she/he has a problem right away, the chances are high that she/he will never do that.

Seeking early intervention can be crucial in the fight against alcohol abuse. It may seem that the situation is not that serious, but the early stages of intervention, along with the support of close people and professionals, can make a world of a difference for the victim.