The National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism explains that treatment for an alcohol disorder works for many people. However, if the alcoholic is unwilling to recognize the problem, a greater challenge to entering or achieving recovery presents itself. A primary factor in alcohol treatment resistance is the presence of denial, which refers to distortions in thinking by the alcoholic person. Denial exists as a form of defense mechanism characterized by lying to the self and others so the alcoholic can abdicate himself of responsibility for the difficulties in his life. Several forms of denial exist. Denial patterns are often so entrenched in the alcoholic that he has minimal awareness of its existence.
Avoidance
According to The Addiction Website of Terence T. Gorski, avoidance refers to the fear of acknowledging the existence of an alcohol problem. The alcoholic believes her drinking is the business of no one else, and when confronted about having an alcohol problem, she will change the subject to avoid discussion. The avoidance is intentional and requires effort to divert conversation.
Absolute Denial
Absolute denial refers to blatantly and emphatically lying about the alcohol problem. Absolute denial requires the alcoholic to convince others that he does not have an alcohol problem. Nottingham Therapy explains that fending off inquirers results in the alcoholic feeling momentary relief from the accusations of alcoholism.
Minimizing
Minimization of the presence of an alcohol problem takes the form of convincing others the drinking is not really a problem, notes Nottingham Therapy. When confronted about the level of drinking that occurs, the alcoholic will often report drinking less than she actually did or dismiss the concerns others have as overreactions.
Rationalization
According to The Addiction Website of Terence T. Gorski, rationalization occurs as a means for the alcoholic to explain his use of alcohol, offering justifications and reasons. Rationalizing by speaking in depth about the topic of alcoholism gives the appearance the alcoholic is dealing with his addiction. However, rationalization is simply a means for the alcoholic to avoid applying what is known about his problem to himself.
Blaming and Comparison
Blaming is the refusal of the alcoholic to accept responsibility for problematic drinking by placing blame on all others except herself. Comparing, on the other hand, takes the form of the alcoholic believing that other people have a far worse condition than she does. In comparing alcohol habits with others, the alcoholic believes her use pattern is not as serious as those whose drinking has left them jobless, homeless or with serious health conditions.
Manipulation
The Addiction Website of Terence T. Gorski notes that manipulation occurs when an alcoholic uses other people to fix problems that his use of alcohol created, and then blames these same people for contributing to his alcohol problem.
