Why Your Attempts to Hide Your Drinking Fail

Despite the negative consequences of excessive drinking or alcohol abuse, many people struggle to recognise and address their addiction. One of the common issues associated with alcohol addiction is denial, or in other words – trying to hide our drinking. From our loved ones, from our employers, colleagues, classmates… From ourselves. This article will explore why your attempts to hide drinking fail and why you need professional help.

A Fight against Denial

• “I’m not drunk; I only had a few glasses to clear my head off this frustrating life.”
• “I was at the bar but didn’t drink any alcohol. I was catching up with old friends.”
• “Yeah, you have a point; I like what you say, so I wouldn’t drink again. This is my last drink.”
• “I may drink occasionally, but I’m not an alcoholic like my uncle. And I don’t spend all my money on alcohol like Kelvin.”
• “I know I had more than I should have, but at least I didn’t drive home drunk like some people. And I’m proud to say I’ve been sober for a month now.”

Do any of these scenarios sound like you or someone you know? Owning up to drinking alcohol isn’t an easy job. It takes lots of courage and determination. Alcoholism, also alcohol addiction, is a chronic disease characterised by your inability to control how much alcohol you consume. And it’s a serious problem affecting millions of people worldwide. You aren’t alone.

Being in denial about your drinking reaches its peak when you think these quotes somehow hide your condition. This thin, see-through, frayed veil won’t be able to hide your breath, the redness in your face, the stuttering and, for those who have reached this stage of alcoholism, the many stashes of alcohol around the house.

The Importance of Recognising Alcohol Addiction

Many people find that there is nothing wrong with drinking alcohol, such as beer and wine, in moderation. But recognising and acknowledging that you are somehow dependent on alcohol is one crucial step for getting the help you need to overcome the disease.

Unfortunately, most people struggling with addiction cannot admit they have a problem, which can lead to disastrous consequences. Recognising your problem is crucial because it can help you find solutions quicker. And here is what alcohol abuse can lead to if you don’t stop hiding your drinking problem behind a fragile glass sheet:

1. Health concerns: Heavy drinking can lead to various physical health problems, including liver disease, cancer, and heart disease. Recognising your addiction can help you improve your health and prevent future health issues.
2. Safety concerns: Drinking alcohol can impair judgment and increase the risk of accidents, falls, and injuries. So the best thing to do is to acknowledge your addiction and seek help to avoid harmful effects.
3. Emotional and mental health concerns: Alcohol addiction can also impact your emotional and mental health. It can cause anxiety, depression, and other mental health issues. Recognising your addiction and seeking help can improve your mental and emotional health and help you manage any co-occurring mental health conditions.
4. Relationships: An alcohol problem or drinking problem can strain your relationships with family, friends, and co-workers. Hence, you need to acknowledge your addiction and seek treatment that can help you repair damaged relationships and build stronger connections with your loved ones.
5. Professional life: Alcohol dependence can also impact your professional life by causing absenteeism, poor performance, and disciplinary issues. Being an alcohol addict, you may feel like you have lost control over your drinking. However, acknowledging your drinking problem allows you to take control of your problem and regain control over your life.

Why Do You Even Try to Hide It?

Hiding drinking is a common behaviour among people struggling with alcohol addiction. But are you addicted if you try to hide yours? Not necessarily, but fear of repercussions indicates that you acknowledge that some people consider your drinking a problem.

Common Attempts to Hide Drinking

Some of the most common attempts to hide drinking include:

• drinking alone
• drinking at odd hours
• drinking in secret
• concealing alcohol bottles
• drinking at work or school so that the family won’t know
• lying about drinking
• making excuses for drinking
• blaming someone/something other than ourselves for our drinking
• dismissing our drinking even when caught in the act
• making comparisons to prove that others drink more than us

Symptoms of Alcohol Consumption

Alcohol consumption can cause many physical and behavioural symptoms that are often easy to spot. Regardless of how good an actor we consider ourselves to be. Some of the most common and obvious symptoms of alcohol consumption include:

1. Red-faced look: Alcohol causes blood vessels in the face to dilate, leading to a flushed appearance. This is commonly referred to as the “alcohol flush reaction.” The severity of the flushing can vary from person to person and may depend on factors such as genetics and the amount of alcohol consumed.
2. Smell: Alcohol has a distinct smell that can be easily detected on a person’s breath or clothing. The smell is caused by the breakdown of alcohol in the body and can be stronger depending on the amount of alcohol consumed.
3. Stumbling/loss of balance: Alcohol affects the body’s coordination and balance, making walking or standing upright difficult. This is why people with too much to drink often stumble or fall.
4. Forced speech: Alcohol can also affect your ability to speak clearly and coherently. You may slur or have difficulty getting words out at your usual speed.
5. Changes in behaviour: Excessive alcohol consumption can also lead to changes in a person’s behaviour. They may become more talkative, aggressive, or emotional. In some cases, alcohol can also cause blackouts, where a person cannot remember what happened while drinking.

Why Your Attempts to Hide Your Drinking Fail

Hiding drinking is never a long-term solution to alcohol abuse. Because of the above, and more, it’s always better to be honest with yourself and your loved ones about your drinking. However, if you still wonder how your loved ones always know you have been sipping, here are some longer-term tell-tale signs of alcohol use:

• Physical symptoms such as: forced or slurred speech, a red-faced look, impaired coordination, bad breath, and emotional instability.
• Strained relationships with friends, family, and loved ones. It can lead to feelings of betrayal and mistrust, making it even harder to seek help.
• Decreased reliability in your work or school performance. This can lead to job loss, academic suspension, and financial problems.
• Driving under the influence should result in legal consequences, including fines, licence suspension, and even jail time. If you think you’re hiding your drinking while driving, thousands of crashes per year prove you wrong.
• Hard to explain accidents or injuries, which can be difficult to hide. This can include falls, car accidents, and other types of injuries.
• Losing interest in activities you once enjoyed and becoming increasingly isolated from friends and family.
• Struggling to keep up with responsibilities at work or home leads to missed deadlines, forgotten tasks and birthdays.
• Unpredictable or extreme emotional reactions, including sudden changes in demeanour or behaviour.
• Lying to cover up your drinking can make others suspicious of your behaviour. Repeated lying can erode trust and damage relationships, making it even harder to conceal the extent of the problem.

Getting Help for Alcohol Abuse

The Providence team is ready to listen to you and help you find a suitable treatment. We agree that not every alcohol abuser is alcohol dependent. However, if it obstructs your routines and turns you into the unfaithful one in your relationship, we can help you.

The first step in seeking help for alcohol dependence is acknowledging that there is a problem. This can be difficult, as denial is common, but it is essential to recognise the extent of the problem.

Sharing the problem with a trusted friend or some family members can be a helpful second step in seeking help for alcohol addiction. They can provide emotional support, encouragement, and practical assistance in finding professional help.

We can provide expert advice and guidance on overcoming alcohol-related problems, including mental health conditions such as anxiety or panic attacks triggered by alcohol intake or the social consequences of hiding your drinking. Providence Projects offers a range of evidence-based treatments and support services to help you overcome addiction and rebuild your life.

At our alcohol rehab centre, we provide structured treatment and support. Our tailored treatment programme will help you overcome the underlying causes for your drinking, as well as find better coping mechanisms for them.