The Concerning Correlation Between Alcoholism and Lying

Why Do Alcoholics Lie?

Why alcoholics lie can be attributed to a number of reasons. First of all, before you start picking out their dishonesty, 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 Boca Mental Health, 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:

• Hiding alcohol or stashing it for later
• Downplaying 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.

How Can You Tell if Someone Is Lying About Drinking?

It can be difficult to tell if someone is lying about their drinking because different people may display different habits or show different indicators of deceit. First and foremost, pay attention to their nonverbal indications. Watch for minute warning signals like watery or bloodshot eyes, shaky movements, or a peculiar odor coming from their breath. These can be a sign of recent alcohol use. Pay attention to their body language and verbal patterns as well. Drinking may be indicated by slurred speech, difficulties expressing ideas, or excessive fidgeting. It's vital not to draw conclusions based simply on these cues, as these symptoms can also be ascribed to other circumstances, such as exhaustion or stress.

Inconsistency in their accounts or actions might also be a warning sign. It may be cause for concern if someone claims they don't drink, but their behavior suggests otherwise. For instance, it could be a sign of dishonesty if they routinely avoid social gatherings where alcohol is present, offer justifications for skipping events, or act defensively when the subject of drinking is up. Trust your gut and take the larger context of their behavior into account. However, it's critical to approach this subject with tact and empathy because disclosing one's drinking habits can be a sensitive matter that calls for support and compassion.

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 who 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.