What is closet drinking? Many people struggling with alcohol addiction will go to great lengths to hide their addiction from friends, co-workers, and loved ones. They call themselves social or closet alcoholics and think they have everything under control, but that is just the illusion that addiction creates. For men and women who use alcohol to cope with stress, depression, or other causes of dysfunctional emotions or behaviors, alcohol addiction treatment or alcohol rehab is the solution that will lead to a healthy lifestyle.
At Ashwood Recovery, we help individuals with their continuing addiction recovery through our outpatient treatment center in Boise, Idaho. Our caring and compassionate team works together to create a tailored treatment plan based on each patient’s unique symptoms. We help patients understand how addiction has a physical effect on them and how it can lead to a worsening addiction and other mental health issues. Contact our team online or call 888.341.3607 today to learn how to spot the signs of a closet alcoholic and how we can help you begin your addiction recovery journey.
What Is Closet Drinking?
A closet drinker is someone who, by all outside appearances, leads a productive life. You may always see them with a drink but think nothing of it because they appear not to have a problem. Closet alcoholics will go to great lengths to hide their addiction, including lying about their use and concealing evidence of obsessive drinking.
Men and women can become closet drinkers for various reasons, including:
- Shame and embarrassment over their addiction
- To cope with known or unknown mental health disorders
- To resolve feelings from trauma
- To keep up with the stress of work, school, or family life
- Peer and social pressure
At Ashwood Recovery, we are well aware of the dangers of alcohol and how many people will hide their abuse. Our behavioral therapists will help dispel any myths about alcohol and help patients see how alcohol controls their lives.
What Are the Signs of Closet Drinking?
Closet drinking can lead men and women down a dangerous path. If you suspect a friend or loved one is a closet drinker, there are clear signs that you can look for to confirm your suspicions, such as finding an unusually high amount of empty bottles and cans in the trash.
Other signs of a closet alcoholic include:
- Finding stashes of alcohol in odd places, like bathrooms, garages, and outdoor storage
- They disappear for long periods at social events with no explanation
- Constantly chewing gum or using mouthwash
- Using water bottles, coffee cups, and other methods to hide alcohol
- They start drinking vodka as it has no odor and is colorless
- Having a high tolerance for alcohol
- Participating in binge drinking and other risky behaviors
- Becoming angry or confrontational when asked about their drinking
- Referring to themselves as social drinkers or are always saying they have things under control
Some people may go as far as to start smoking cigarettes to explain some of their behavior to hide their drinking.
How Can Professional Addiction Treatment Help?
At Ashwood Recovery, we know all of the tricks that closet alcoholics use to hide their substance use disorder. We offer outpatient treatment programs to help them break their addiction and turn their lives around using various behavioral therapies and medication-assisted treatment (MAT). Our outpatient treatment facility offers a full range of treatment programs, including:
- Drug and alcohol rehab
- Medical intervention
- Partial hospitalization program
- Intensive outpatient program
- Dual diagnosis treatment
- Relapse prevention therapy
- Aftercare program
If you or a loved one is struggling with addiction, don’t wait until it’s too late. Learn more about the signs of a closet alcoholic and how we can help you begin your journey toward lasting recovery today.
Spot the Signs of an Alcoholic with Help from Ashwood Recovery in Boise, Idaho
Contact Ashwood Recovery online or call 888.341.3607 today to connect with our compassionate staff about enrolling in our alcohol rehab program. Don’t let shame or fear stop you from getting the help you need. We are here for you or your loved one.