Secret Drinking & Hidden Alcoholism

Posted On April 27, 2021

A popular saying among the addiction recovery community that you might have heard of is “You are only as sick as the secrets you keep”. It simply means that honesty is the best approach to overcoming addiction and getting help such as by enrolling at the nearest drug rehab centre or seeking drug treatment. If you are worried about your drinking habits and the fact that you have lied about how much you drink, it is important that you find help. It is also possible that a loved one might be secret drinking.

Underestimating Vs Lying About Drinking

According to a Canadian survey that looked at the consumption of alcohol to determine the theory about adults underestimating or stretching the truth regarding how much they drink, it was found that people tend to underestimate about much they actually drink.

Secret Drinking

A common practice among addicts is secret drinking. It is practiced by alcoholics that tend to have a higher tolerance for consuming alcohol. Since they need to drink a lot more to feel the desired effect, they tend to secretly drink. The term “Pre-Gaming” is used to describe the activity. Now, you might be wondering if someone actually drinks alone, they are probably not secretly drinking. However, the main differentiator here would be intent. If the individual is hiding his or her drinking, it means that they have a problem with secret drinking. Hidden alcoholism has become a huge problem and the drug rehab centre aims to help individuals that do not know how to stop.

If anyone close to you drinks in secret or lies habitually about the amount of alcohol they drink, it is a warning sign. Another sign of alcoholism could be hiding empty bottles or even new alcohol bottles in the trash.

Recognize Hidden Alcoholism

There are certain ways through which you can recognize secret drinking and hidden alcoholism. The truth is that there are a few alcoholics that prefer drinking vodka as it looks just like water and it does release a strong odor unlike most alcoholic beverages. Now, if someone prefers drinking vodka, it does not necessarily mean that they are an addict. However, if they hide their vodka and fill water bottles with it, chances are that they have hidden alcoholism.

Alcoholics also tend to hide their drinking by using secret vessels or flasks that easily disguise as something else like a lotion bottle, perfume, handbag, electric device, or even a soda can. If you see someone who regularly uses such techniques to drink, they are likely to be secretly drinking. It is also common for alcoholics to hide their drinking by hiding the cans and bottles in a rubbish bin.

Is Hiding Alcohol A Sign for Alcoholism?

According to a survey conducted, it was found that 27 percent of Brits have lied about their drinking habits. They mostly lie to healthcare providers, their parents, their friends, their partners, and their kids. Understanding the common characteristics of alcoholics is crucial before suggesting drug treatment to someone.