Alcohol is one of the most universally addictive substances available. Every region of the world that makes alcohol available for purchase has been found to have alcoholism present within its population, and Canada is no exception. Alcoholism, or alcohol addiction, is defined as alcohol abuse that is so persistent within an individual that their body has become dependent on it. Once a person has grown dependent on alcohol, it is very difficult to stop consuming it, on a physical and on a psychological level. Typically, Canadians should submit to treatment, for example a Calgary alcohol addiction treatment program, to rid themselves of alcoholism. The best way to avoid alcoholism is to be knowledgeable about it and be diligent in never abusing alcohol.

Often, people do not even realize that they are slipping into an alcohol addiction until they are already dependent on alcohol. It does not set in overnight. Alcoholism usually begins with experimentation and testing the limits of how much alcohol one can drink. Often it is a result of life circumstances as well. When someone is struggling through stress or negative emotions in their life, they begin to drink heavier. Or, if someone is simply being influenced by people who drink heavily, they will begin to drink heavier themselves. Alcohol provides a euphoric, mood altering feeling through the effect it has on the brain. Because people naturally develop a tolerance to alcohol, they need to gradually increase their consumption of it over time in order to continue experiencing the euphoric feelings it creates.

There in lies the addictive behavior. Many people crave the euphoric feelings alcohol gives them too intensely, and pursue the feelings even at the cost of ever-increasing alcohol consumption. The desire to feel intoxicated is so strong that people will pursue it even when their alcohol consumption is destroying their health, relationships and responsibilities. Physical damage begins to take place to their body, their loved ones become hurt and confused by their behavior and distance themselves from the alcoholic and the individual’s work or school performance begins to suffer. This is the picture of alcoholism that is all too well know to many people around the world.

Denial of alcoholism is not a biochemical condition, but rather a psychological condition. It is, however, a very common aspect of alcohol addiction. A large majority of people who have struggled with alcohol addiction recall being in a state of denial. This condition involves telling yourself that you are not an alcoholic when, in fact, you are. The reason a person would do this is fairly self-explanatory with any understanding of addiction. All forms of addiction are detrimental to the addict, so much so that the destruction becomes apparent to other people. Even the addict is beginning to understand the consequences of their addictive behavior. However, at this point, they love the object of their addiction and are willing to invest much of themselves into protecting it.  One method of ensuring their loyalty to the addiction is denial.

If someone is able to convince themselves that their addiction is not hurting them or anyone else, they can feel free to continue their addictive behavior. This is a very attractive option for some addicts, and it is a choice that is highly misunderstood. Those who do not understand addiction or resent it due to bad personal experiences with it tend to view denial as pure selfishness. True denial of alcoholism can be compared to denial of having cancer. It stems from fear. An alcoholic is deeply frightened of the thought of having to cope with the world sober in a similar way as a person might be afraid to cope with the world unhealthy. They are also afraid of the fierce withdrawal symptoms they will be met with if they separate from alcohol. This is the nature of addiction. Addicts are afraid of what will happen to them if they stop serving their addiction.

Denial of alcoholism is a serious psychological condition and often requires the services of a professional interventionist in order to break. If you need help breaking someone’s denial of their alcoholism, reach out to the alcohol addiction treatment network in your area.