One out of five people between the ages of 20 and 49 die due to alcoholism. Alcohol can be as dangerous as illegal drugs like meth and cocaine. Many people have alcohol problems without realizing it.
Hiding alcohol is a sign that a person has a serious alcohol problem. But what should you do if you find a loved one hiding alcohol from you? What can you do to keep the problem from getting any worse?
Keep reading and learn more about it below.
What Are the Signs of an Alcohol Addiction?
Hiding alcohol is one of the many common signs of alcoholism. A person may hide alcohol for a variety of reasons. They may know that they’re drinking too much and don’t want anyone else to know about it.
You may see them drink small amounts of alcohol throughout the day. But they may hide alcohol to drink more when no one is around. They may prefer to drink large amounts when they are alone and don’t want anyone to judge them.
A person may hide alcohol in various places. They will likely hide it somewhere in their room so they can have easy access to it. They may hide it under their bed, behind a piece of furniture, in a closet, and so on.
You may also notice that alcohol around the house has gone missing. You may have bought a pack of beer but found that many of the bottles are not where you left them. Bottles of wine and hard liquor may be emptier than when you last touched them.
The alcoholic may be trying to deny their addiction. They may keep their alcohol hidden so that they don’t have to look at it or acknowledge it. They may be ashamed of their addiction but don’t want to bring it to light.
Other Signs
There are other signs of an alcohol use disorder you should look out for. You may find that your loved one is unable to function without drinking alcohol throughout the day. They may drink more than the average person.
They may also get irritated or depressed when they are not able to drink. They may try secretly buying alcohol too. This would keep other people from realizing how much they’re drinking.
You may find that your loved one is always drunk. They may be drunk in the morning and at other times of the day when drinking is not appropriate. They may also need to drink larger quantities of alcohol to get drunk.
This shows that they have become used to the substance and need more to get the same effect. They may change their eating habits based on their alcohol addiction too. They may insist on eating very little or not at all so they can instead focus more on drinking and getting drunk.
These are all warning signs that your loved one’s alcohol addiction is getting much worse. But what should you do if your loved one is suffering from this type of addiction?
What to Do about a Loved One With an Alcohol Addiction
It can be hard to help a person who is addicted to alcohol. Many alcoholics refuse that they have a problem. They may insist that they have everything under control and that what they’re doing is normal.
They may be very defensive whenever anyone asks about their drinking habits. They may lie about their drinking habits to make them seem less severe than they are. They may get angry or get into an argument if you try to press the point further.
This is because they are afraid of anyone trying to take their alcohol away from them. But excessive alcohol consumption can be very dangerous. It affects the body and brain in different ways.
It is very harmful to the liver. The liver is the organ that breaks down alcohol and ensures that it doesn’t reach toxic levels in the bloodstream. But the liver can only handle so much.
It will become diseased and scarred if one’s alcohol problem becomes chronic. This can lead to liver failure, kidney failure, and other problems. Excessive alcohol consumption can damage the brain as well.
Getting help for your loved one can be difficult. This is because many alcoholics don’t want to be helped. But there are still ways you can get around this problem.
Make sure that your loved one knows that you are there for them. You should be there to support them in their time of need. But this does not mean that you should enable them.
What You Need to Know
Enabling them is letting them continue their addiction without consequences. You may give your loved one money when they ask for it. But they will likely use that money to buy more alcohol.
You may allow your loved one to live with you without paying any rent or other expenses. They may not have a job and instead spend their time drinking. Doing nothing about this behavior is enablement.
Enabling this problem will make it worse. The first step you should take is to set boundaries. Creating boundaries will make your loved one understand that you are serious about their addiction.
This can be difficult and emotional. You may want to make excuses for the person you love, but you can’t make excuses for an addiction. An addiction will actively harm the person you love.
It may cut their life short. Creating boundaries will get your loved one to understand that you are serious about them getting treatment. They may refuse treatment at first.
But persuading them may help. Getting them to one treatment session is better than nothing. Showing them that they have a problem can help them change their perspective.
One of the best ways to treat alcohol addiction is to go to a rehab center. Rehab centers have all the right equipment to treat this addiction and others. They also offer a safe environment for people to get over their addictions.
What Do Rehab Centers Do?
Rehab centers have trained medical professionals and therapists on hand. They will make sure that your loved one’s treatment is safe and effective. They also offer the support that alcoholics need to recover.
Many alcoholics will start drinking again once the withdrawal symptoms kick in. This is because withdrawal symptoms are very unpleasant and include cravings for alcohol. Withdrawal symptoms can also be very dangerous and can sometimes include seizures or heart attacks.
Having medical professionals nearby ensures that your loved one goes through withdrawals safely. It will also ensure that your loved one can’t obtain any alcohol during their stay. Withdrawals take about a week.
More severe addictions may take longer. Therapy is also important for treating alcoholism. People usually abuse alcohol to escape certain emotions or problems in their lives.
They may not know any other way to cope except for drinking alcohol. Therapy can show your loved one that there are other, healthier ways to cope with life issues. Therapy aims to help people look at the world differently.
What to Know
Many alcoholics have a negative view of the world. This can lead to depression and anxiety. This makes it more likely for the person to abuse alcohol.
But thinking positively can prevent this. This shift of thinking is difficult and can take time. But that’s what therapy is for.
Several sessions of therapy teach a person how to think differently and more positively. Therapy also teaches a person different coping mechanisms and self-control. This makes it easier for a person to cope with whatever problems they may come across in their lives.
Better self-control also makes it easier for a person to avoid alcohol. They may feel the need to drink alcohol, but self-control skills will keep them from doing so. A rehab center will also offer other resources concerning addiction.
Learning about addiction can help a person understand why they do what they do. Getting to the root of the problem can make an alcoholic feel much freer. This allows the person to get back on their feet and get their life back.
Hiding Alcohol and Alcohol Addiction Treatment
Hiding alcohol is a common sign that a person has an alcohol problem. It is important to treat an alcohol addiction before it gets too serious. Excessive alcohol consumption can lead to organ failure and death if it isn’t treated early.
Rehab centers have all the necessary staff and equipment to help. To learn more about how it works, check out our services.
60 comments
If someone we love is hiding alcohol the first time is we have to talk each other more deeply without judging his or her and slowly direct his or her on treatment with love
I have no issues with drinking as long as it is in moderation. Even I drink ar rimes on special events but alcoholism? Its never good . I have seen first hand how devastating it can get,
The best thing is to leave alcohol totally. Hiding alcohol is not the best solution. It does not in any way benefit one’s life. Thanks.
I’m glad I came across this article. I have been well educated on how to detect if somebody close is an addict, and how to go about it.
it is to help them get therapy when they are addicted. it will help them get better and dump the drinks.
This is a very good article. It makes me know that once someone is hiding an alcohol. They may be addicted to it and don’t want others to know
Thank you detox for this wonderful article. It so educative and well detailed. Definitely shearing this to my friends.
This is well detailed article, it educative in a every way. Now I know what to watch for as sign in an addict and how to also relate and go about it .
This is well detailed article, it is educative and informative. I can easily tell or detect what check out for as sign in an addict and how to also relate and go about it .
There are so many loved ones that we can’t believe are alcohol addicted unless they are caught. What we can do is to be patient with them and continue to advise them.
This is a Great article. I have learnt so much from reading this, alcohol Addiction is really crazy.
These are Signs of Addiction one would notice at an early stage. I’m happy to have come across this informative article.
I don’t think anyone can hide alcohol addiction from me anymore with this your post. Thanks for the exposure.
A loved one hiding alcohol is a strong tell that they have an alcohol disorder. Professional help should be sought immediately.
In my experience I’ve generally found that people who need a lot of alcohol to get drunk have an alcohol disorder. Thanks for this very informative article.
The earlier an addiction is dealt with, the better. With the small signs like hiding alcohol, you may help your loved one cope with the addiction.
A loved one with an alcohol addiction can be very defensive. It’s wise to always approach the situation with tact.
The first thing that came to mind when I saw the article I thought that a person normally hides alcohol to prevent them from over-drinking. But now I know they hide to prevent a loved one from seeing that they are alcoholics and this is worse.
I agree that providing an enabling environment for a loved one with an alcohol addiction will only make things worse. Sadly most family members are enablers without even knowing it.
It’s shocking to learn that 20% of people with alcohol disorder end up dying. Something really needs to be done urgently.
As always one of the best options for a loved one struggling with alcohol addiction is rehab. This should always be the go to solution.
They will always want to hide this side of them from their loved ones. so it’s better that you find out and try to help them out by being supportive.
Thank you Detax to rehab for sharing these type of stories with all of us.These stories are really very much inspirational for many people.
There are many people who happened to be our love ones but they are in alcohol. If you discover someone you know and play with from time to time suddenly become isolated, note he or she is into things unbelievable.
There are many people who happened to be our love ones but they are in alcohol. If you discover someone you know and play with from time to time suddenly become isolated, note he or she is into things unbelievable. Hence, help him or her out.
Alcohol addiction may be difficult to hide the level of sensitivity of people matter most in this regard. Alcohol intake may be hidden from the love ones when it is not taken in their presence.
It is important to be of help to those who are addicted to so that we can have a sane society. Thanks for this information.
Be good to your liver! Knowledge is power. Thanks for the informative read!
This means that he doesn’t want people around him to know that he is a drinker. The items ways can help the person to overcome it.
It’s just not a good thing if our loved one is hiding alcohol from us. I wouldn’t want anyone to get hooked on alcohol. thanks for stating things we can do to get the situation from getting worse. I lost a brother to alcohol. it’s not a pleasant experience
Hiding alcohol is a very telling sign of an alcohol disorder. Rehabilitative action should be taken immediately.
It’s important to acknowledge that hiding alcohol is a sign that someone may have an unhealthy relationship with it. Denial and secrecy can often be a sign that there is a problem that needs to be addressed.
This essay is interesting, educating, and well-detailed. I am able to quickly identify the warning signs of an addict as well as how to approach and interact to them.
It’s important to acknowledge that hiding alcohol is a sign that someone may have an unhealthy relationship with it. Denial and secrecy can often be a sign that there is a problem that needs to be addressed.
This article is well structured in such a way that it touches every aspect of addiction. Thanks to detox to rehab for this information.
Alcoholism is a bad habit that may result in sudden death. It is advisable alcohol addicts should steer clear from it.
This is a bad habit that has eaten deep into the fabrics of many pey. As a result, drug addicts should avoid the deadly situation.
Alcohol may seem a harmless substance when taken moderately but when taken in excess and worse getting addicted to then it become a serious problem. Looking out for your loved one is key as you can be the help to aid the addicts recovery.
By the time someone is hiding alcohol to consume it alone it means their case is serious and they are trying to hide it. Helping such a person go to the rehab would do them good on their recovery journey.
It’s important to know that you can only help someone willing to be helped. Otherwise it would all be in vain
As the author points out, it’s important to approach the situation of a loved one hiding alcohol with compassion and understanding, as it could be a sign of a deeper issue.
It’s crucial to acknowledge that addiction is a complex issue with multiple factors, and it’s not the fault of the person struggling with it or their loved ones.
Seeking support from a therapist or support group can be a helpful way to navigate the complex emotions and challenges that come with supporting a loved one with addiction.
Trying to tell somebody that they have a drinking problem will usually be met by denial by them, because they think it’s still absolutely normal, and that they know when when they need to stop, and sometimes defiantly or angrily say that they know their bodies more than what their concerned family and friends do. However, allowing them to do their own thing – enabling them – is just as dangerous that it fuels their alcohol addiction further. Drinking for fun/recreation and drinking to help one function during the day sometimes can get blurred between the lines, and then it will be too late for any kind of intervention. It’s nice that there are articles like these to help people figure out if a friend or a loved one is showing warning signs, as it makes them aware that such a problem exists, and work towards a solution and get the best rehab center to help them recover in the safest and most effective way possible.
Alcoholism is not something rewarding. My friends can not live without drinking alcohol. May God safe then all.
Thank you for the insightful article. This was really helpful for me to check and see if any of my friends and loved ones are either a secret alcoholic or depressed, This has opened up a new perspective.
There are several signs for alcohol addiction.
This article is highly informative and educative. Let alcohol addicts borrow a leaf from this.
Indeed many people with an alcohol problem rarely admit that they do. That’s why acceptance is an important part of the entire process.
Hiding alcohol is a sure sign that someone is already addicted to it. Best get help sooner rather than later for such a person.
It can be difficult to help someone struggling with alcohol addiction, as they may initially deny any problem and insist that they have everything under control. However, if we are committed to supporting them, we can help by keeping them busy with other activities that will occupy their time and gradually raise their awareness of the negative impact of alcohol on their health.
People hiding an alcohol problem tend to be very defensive and angry when confronted. It’s wise to always approach such people with a lot of love, understanding and acceptance.
I appreciate you sharing this very informative article. It provides a good guide on how exactly to approach a loved one suffering from alcohol dependence but won’t admit it.
Good and commendable write up. Alcohol rewards it’s users with a false sense of relief that usually spirals into deeper troubles and darkness. It’s a monster to be avoided at all cost.
Thank you for sharing in detail how we can helped a loved one who may not be willing to be helped. I wish more people could read this article. A lot of lives could be potentially saved.
One needs to take note of these signs stated in article. Taking note of these signs will help one in helping addict recover on time from their addiction. Thanks for sharing.
These are helpful tips and I’m happy to read the article. Thank you for sharing.
Thanks for this information, because with this one can tell if a loved is starting or is already addicted to alcohol.
If a loved one is hiding alcohol, it indicates that he/she is bad company. Proper counseling will help,
I believe everyone wants to always put their best foot forward… We must beyond our loved ones smile and reach within their souls to know what battles they are fighting.
Thanks Detox for this writeup as always.
We’ll pass through a lot in this life. But I just pray we’ll find solace in God.