Hiding Alcohol Bottles and Containers from Family at Home

If you have been finding alcohol bottles in unlikely locations in the home, you probably have an alcoholic family member. Hiding alcohol bottles around the house is a common practice among those who try to cover up a drinking problem.

This is because, as the alcohol abuse escalates, the family member becomes more obsessed about having the stash on hand. By hiding it in closets, cupboards, or dresser drawers, they obscure the drinking problem while assuring access to their supply.

This practice is a classic sign of alcohol use disorder (AUD). Read on to learn more about how to tell if a family member has a drinking problem.

Alcohol Use Disorder Explained

AUD is a condition that features the different phases of disease caused by disordered drinking habits. The longer you engage in chronic excessive drinking, the better the chances that you will develop alcohol dependence or addiction.

Alcohol dependence impacts mental and physical health, relationships, career, and finances. Becoming dependent on alcohol means that the brain has been altered over time in response to continuous exposure to alcohol.

A clear sign you have become dependent on the substance is the emergence of withdrawal symptoms when the alcohol wears off. Withdrawal symptoms include:

• Shaking
• Stomach pain.
• Nausea and vomiting.
• Hand tremors.
• Headache
• Sweating
• Irritability
• Insomnia

Alcohol addiction is the most severe form of AUD. Addiction is both a behavioral disorder and a brain disease. When someone develops alcohol addiction they lose control over the compulsive drinking. They are not able to quit drinking on their own. This happens when the brain’s reward system prompts the person to repeat the drinking over and over. They are then ensnared in the addiction cycle.

This loss of control over the compulsion to drink is the main difference between addiction and dependence. It means that, despite the negative consequences of drinking, they continue to drink anyway.

Hiding Alcohol Bottles and Other Signs of Alcoholism

AUD is graded from mild to moderate to severe, depending on how many of the traits are present. The common signs of AUD include:

• Their tolerance to alcohol increases over time, which leads to more consumption.
• They plan their days around drinking. You obsess over maintaining a supply of available liquor.
• They express feelings of guilt about their drinking.
• They stop caring about your appearance.
• They miss work more often.
• Their relationships start to suffer.
• They lie about how much you drink or hide alcohol bottles around the house.
• They engage in high-risk behaviors, such as driving under the influence or risky sexual practices.
• They have frequent mood swings.
• They neglect your duties.
• They are more irritable.
• They have sleep disturbances.
• They experience mounting consequences from heavy drinking.
• They say they want to quit or cut back, but can’t.
• When they do attempt to quit, withdrawal symptoms emerge that make them very sick.

Ways to Overcome Barriers to Treatment

Many people with a serious drinking problem do realize it, but resist the idea of going to rehab. Some of the common barriers to getting help include:

• Facing detox. The thought of going through detox can be scary. Help them focus on the bigger picture, that detox is only for a few days.
• Finding the time. They may find it hard to carve out a chunk of time to go off to rehab. There are job constraints and childcare issues that make this a major challenge. Suggest an outpatient program as an option.
• Fearing stigma. The social stigma that exists around substance abuse is very real. They may fear losing their job or damage to their reputation. It takes courage to do the right thing for your health and your family.
• High cost of treatment. The cost of rehab is a legitimate concern for many, especially for those who lack health insurance. Check with the insurance plan to see what it will cover – they may be surprised. If they don’t have insurance, look into payment plans or scholarship funds.

Helping a Family Member Prepare for Rehab

Once you approach your family member about the hidden bottles of alcohol you found, offer to assist them in getting treatment. Here are some ways you can help them get started in this quest to get help:

• Check insurance coverage. If your family member seems overwhelmed by the costs of rehab, offer to call their insurer to ask for details. Contact their provider to ask what the plan covers, and what the estimated out of pocket expense is.
• Learn about the disease. Make an effort to learn about their substance use disorder. The more you understand about the addiction, the more equipped you will be to offer your support.
• Help them plan for rehab. The family needs to come together to support the loved one. Help them plan the logistics of rehab, such as taking a leave from work. They may need help planning for childcare or paying their bills while they are in treatment.
• Offer to help them enroll in the rehab. Some may find it scary and overwhelming to enter treatment, especially an inpatient rehab. Offer to join them in a meeting with the intake team, taking a tour of the center, or just sitting in the lobby. They may just need the moral support you can provide.
• Plan an intervention. If you are not able to convince your family member that they need treatment, consider planning an intervention. These are rehearsed meetings between the alcoholic and their close family members, spouse, or friends. An addiction expert helps plan the intervention and will guide the family members through the meeting.

It is never too early to get help for a growing problem with alcohol. Help your loved one get the life saving treatment they deserve.

Golf Drug Rehab Luxury Treatment for Alcohol Use Disorder

Golf Drug Rehab is an upscale addiction treatment center that integrates golf therapy into the treatment elements. If you have a family member who is hiding alcohol bottles around the house, please reach out to us. Call us today at (877) 958-5320.