Alcohol problems: Helping someone get treatment
Why do I need to help a person who denies having a problem?
Sometimes family members, friends, or coworkers recognize that a person needs help for an alcohol use problem before the person does. This is usually because the person is in denial about drinking and does not think treatment is needed. A person in denial might make excuses for his or her drinking or blame other people or circumstances. People in denial might:
- Not think they have a problem with alcohol. They might say something like, “I can handle my drinking. I have never lost a job (been in trouble with the law, had a fight with anyone) because of it.”
- Make excuses about why they drink, such as, “I have such a stressful job. I need to have a drink in the evening to wind down and relax.”
- Blame other people for their drinking: “You'd drink too, if you had a boss like mine.”
People who drink heavily over many years might develop other health conditions as a result of drinking, along with problems with family and work relationships and legal problems (such as being arrested for drunk driving). Treatment can help prevent or reduce such problems.
Test Your Knowledge
A person in denial might make excuses for his or her drinking and blame other people or circumstances.
A person with an alcohol use problem does not usually develop any health problems related to alcohol.
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How can I help a person who has an alcohol use problem get treatment?
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| Author: | Jeannette Curtis Paul Lehnert | Last Updated: February 15, 2008 |
| Medical Review: | Adam Husney, MD - Family Medicine James R. McKay, PhD - Psychology | |
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