An alcoholic is an individual that has a physical or mental desire to consume alcohol beyond their capacity to control it (O’Connor, 2011). Alcoholism is the illness alcoholics suffer from. There are two different types of drinking problems, alcoholism being one and alcohol abuse being the other. Alcoholism is when an individual’s excessive drinking causes serious problems in their life, yet they keep drinking. They may also have a physical dependence on alcohol. This means that an individual needs more and more alcohol to feel drunk. Stopping suddenly can cause withdrawal symptoms. Alcohol abuse is when an individual’s drinking leads to problems, but they are not physically dependent on alcohol. These problems may occur at work, school, home
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Denial becomes an obstacle for those that are abusing alcohol because they use it as a defense mechanism to tell themselves they do not have a drinking problem. Denial lets the individual stand on his/her own way. The desire to drink is so strong that the mind finds many ways to rationalize drinking, even when the consequences are obvious. It keeps an individual from looking honestly at their behavior and its negative effects. Denial also intensifies alcohol-related problems with work, finances, and relationships. Group therapy can help individuals face their alcohol addiction that they are denying. Everyone in the group is there for more then less the same reason. It makes the situation real and more comfortable to discuss. Individuals can feel comfortable discussing their problem, they don’t have to deny it. In group counseling, everyone can effectively confront individual members of the group about their alcohol abuse and their attitude or behaviors. These confrontations are possible because groups speak with the combined authority of people who have shared common experiences and common problems. Along with the confrontation comes empathy and understanding which is what makes confrontation positive. Confrontation often plays a part of substance abuse treatment groups because group members tend to deny their problems. Participating in the confrontation of one group member can help others recognize and defeat their own denial …show more content…
They find comfort in drinking, but they don’t want others to know that. They start to alienate themselves or stray from social situations. Alcoholics don’t feel good about themselves, especially around others who may judge or bring attention to their addiction to alcohol. This leads alcoholics to isolate themselves. However, humans are social creatures. Individuals don’t want to feel alone so they can drink without judgment, even if that is the lie they tell themselves and others. During group counseling, people begin to see that they are not alone. Many times people feel isolated and alone with their problems. It is encouraging to hear that other people have similar feelings or difficulties. A lot of times individuals have even worked through a problem that deeply disturbs another group member (Samsha, 2005).
There can be many underlying feelings and emotions that have driven an individual to become and alcoholic. Some of these feelings include, depression, anxiety, worthless, stress and other uncomfortable emotions. The individual’s way of coping with these feelings is by self-medicating with alcohol. The alcoholic lacks the proper coping skills to actual deal with the emotions they are facing. With group counseling, alcoholics can learn from others proper ways to deal with their uncomfortable emotions that have driven them to drink and continue the vicious
Denial becomes an obstacle for those that are abusing alcohol because they use it as a defense mechanism to tell themselves they do not have a drinking problem. Denial lets the individual stand on his/her own way. The desire to drink is so strong that the mind finds many ways to rationalize drinking, even when the consequences are obvious. It keeps an individual from looking honestly at their behavior and its negative effects. Denial also intensifies alcohol-related problems with work, finances, and relationships. Group therapy can help individuals face their alcohol addiction that they are denying. Everyone in the group is there for more then less the same reason. It makes the situation real and more comfortable to discuss. Individuals can feel comfortable discussing their problem, they don’t have to deny it. In group counseling, everyone can effectively confront individual members of the group about their alcohol abuse and their attitude or behaviors. These confrontations are possible because groups speak with the combined authority of people who have shared common experiences and common problems. Along with the confrontation comes empathy and understanding which is what makes confrontation positive. Confrontation often plays a part of substance abuse treatment groups because group members tend to deny their problems. Participating in the confrontation of one group member can help others recognize and defeat their own denial …show more content…
They find comfort in drinking, but they don’t want others to know that. They start to alienate themselves or stray from social situations. Alcoholics don’t feel good about themselves, especially around others who may judge or bring attention to their addiction to alcohol. This leads alcoholics to isolate themselves. However, humans are social creatures. Individuals don’t want to feel alone so they can drink without judgment, even if that is the lie they tell themselves and others. During group counseling, people begin to see that they are not alone. Many times people feel isolated and alone with their problems. It is encouraging to hear that other people have similar feelings or difficulties. A lot of times individuals have even worked through a problem that deeply disturbs another group member (Samsha, 2005).
There can be many underlying feelings and emotions that have driven an individual to become and alcoholic. Some of these feelings include, depression, anxiety, worthless, stress and other uncomfortable emotions. The individual’s way of coping with these feelings is by self-medicating with alcohol. The alcoholic lacks the proper coping skills to actual deal with the emotions they are facing. With group counseling, alcoholics can learn from others proper ways to deal with their uncomfortable emotions that have driven them to drink and continue the vicious