You are worried that your loved one’s drinking is getting out of control, and on top of that, they just said something about their drinking that you aren’t sure is the truth. Do not worry because you are not alone. Many people struggle to deal with the lies alcoholics tell them, especially when it is someone they are close to. Banyan’s Palm Beach rehab is here to help you distinguish between fact and fiction and give guidance on how to approach a loved one struggling with an addiction to alcohol.
Why Do Alcoholics Lie?
First of all, before you start picking out their lies, it is important to know why your loved one is not being honest. There are two types of lies that alcoholics tell: the lies they tell you and the lies they tell themselves.
The lies that alcoholics tell you are usually for what they believe to be for your benefit. They do not want you worrying about their drinking so, instead, they downplay or lie about it altogether. They may also be ashamed of their drinking and not want their loved ones to know the extent of their problems.
Along with lying to you, many alcoholics lie to themselves. These lies are usually because the alcoholic is in denial about their drinking problem. Admitting that you have a problem can be hard, so alcoholics make excuses when it comes to their drinking. For many people with drinking problems, it is often easier to lie to themselves than to admit that they have lost control and need the help of a professional alcohol detox center.
Frequent Lies Alcoholics Tell You or Themselves
Now that we have a better understanding of why alcoholics lie, we can begin to examine what it is they are actually being dishonest about. When your loved one lies, it puts you in a tough position. You want to believe them, but their track record is questionable. Before contacting the specialists at Banyan Treatment Center Boca Raton, FL, one of the best ways to tell if an alcoholic is lying is to know what lies to listen for.
The most common lies alcoholics tell involve:
- Downplaying or hiding how much they consumed
- Saying they didn’t drink when they did
- Telling you that everyone was drinking when they weren’t
- Citing a false reason for their drinking
- Lying about where they are going or not telling you at all
- Claiming they can stop anytime they want
- Blaming others for their drunken mistakes (DUI, alcohol-related injury, etc.)
- Comparing their drinking habits to more severe cases of alcoholism
- Being dishonest about finances and how much money is spent on alcohol
- Lying to or manipulating others to guilt them into getting the individual more alcohol
Along with listening for common lies alcoholics tell, pay attention to what their bodies and tone of voice are saying. Looking down, avoiding eye contact, fidgeting, speaking in a high-pitched voice, clearing their throat, stumbling over words, or taking long pauses before speaking are all indications that someone could be lying. As you can see, it’s not just their words, but their bodies can also give them away, so pay attention to these clues.
What to Do if Someone Is Lying About Their Drinking
If your loved one continues to make up lies about their drinking habits, then it is likely that their drinking has become problematic. Many families of alcoholics struggle to decide what the next course of action should be. The first step you should take is to try to talk to them about these issues. If they are in denial themselves, this talk may not go so well, but stay calm. If several attempts to get them help have fallen to the wayside, you may need professional help.
An alcohol intervention specialist may be able to help open their eyes and accept that they do, in fact, have a problem that requires treatment. Because alcoholics and lying so commonly go hand in hand, having a person that is professionally trained in addressing their struggles can make a world of difference. It can also be helpful to have an unbiased individual intervene as opposed to a close family member, which can bring up intense emotions that may exacerbate the situation.
When your loved one has a substance abuse problem, it can be difficult to know what you should and should not do. Let us step in and help.
At Banyan Boca Raton, we will work with you. If you call us today at 888-280-4763, we will see how we may be able to help your loved one find sobriety.
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At Banyan Boca, we will work with you. If you call us today at 888-280-4763, we will see how we may be able to help your loved one find sobriety.
