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5 Reasons Alcoholics Choose Self-Sabotage

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5 Reasons Alcoholics Choose Self-Sabotage

Choice presents a tricky concept for those abusing alcohol. If alcoholism is a disease, as it’s recognized in the DSM V, can people who suffer be held accountable for their actions? Absolutely, with a caveat. No one denies that self-sabotage acts as a hallmark symptom of alcoholism. But to address that problematic behavior effectively, those in must dig a little deeper and understand the connection between alcoholics and self-sabotage.

At New Start Recovery, we are here to help those who want to put aside their self-sabotage and seek alcohol addiction treatment. Our team has experience helping clients understand how their addiction feeds their unhealthy habits and putting new habits into place. To learn more about how we can help end the connection between alcoholics and self-sabotage, please contact our team today at *DM_DirectNumber format=period linked=true*.

Reason #1 — Poor Self Worth

Many people who abuse alcohol struggle with their inner perception of self. Usually rooted in childhood, there are many experiences that can grow into poor self-worth in adulthood. This is especially true in the case of trauma and dysfunctional family dynamics. Unpacked baggage from childhood wreaks havoc on an individual’s self-worth. They may struggle to see themself as someone who is worthy of treatment? If this is the case, they may benefit from addiction therapy.  Inpatient rehab introduces methodologies for improving self-worth. It’s a process that must continue beyond treatment. Outpatient reinforces these important self-care routines.

Reason #2 — Impostor Syndrome

Many people are their own worst critics. For some people, that’s a positive thing. Internal constructive criticism can drive them to improve themself and do better. Unfortunately, that’s not always the case. This constant stream of inner criticism causes some people to question whether they are really qualified at work, school, among their peers, and even at home.

Impostor syndrome describes the deeply internalized fear that the individual is actually a fraud. A person with imposter syndrome believes that any accomplishments they’ve achieved were misplaced, and one day people will discover that they’re not actually qualified. It’s a misplaced, fear-driven psychological phenomenon that can drive self-sabotaging behaviors like self-medication with alcohol.

Reason #3 — Need for Control

It seems paradoxical. How can a yearning for control make someone give up that control to alcohol? Unfortunately, self-sabotaging decisions rarely root themselves in logic. Turning to alcohol as an answer to the loss of control presents a cycle of destruction that can quickly spiral out of control.

Alcohol acts quickly. It temporarily numbs fear. Unfortunately, it also leads to consequences that exacerbate preexisting problems. It also increases the need to turn to alcohol as an answer. This spiral is all too familiar to the self-identified alcoholic who struggles with relapse. Turning to alcohol, again and again, presents a familiar path for those who seek control. Sometimes, orchestrating their own failure feels more secure than taking unsure risks like the path to sobriety. After all, the risk of recovery holds the threat of relapse.

Reason #4 — Seeking Comfort and Familiarity

This intense fear of the unknown constitutes its own reason for self-sabotage. As much as people like to think otherwise, humans are creatures of habit. They like routine and the feeling of familiarity. This predilection for things they already understand and know can work both for and against them. In the case of those abusing alcohol, it typically does the latter.

Many people lull themselves into stagnation by this pursuit of comfort and familiarity. But that tendency can work in their favor when they redirect themselves into the path of sobriety, or when their family encourages them to go down that path.

Reason #5 — Harboring Resentments

If most people are honest with themselves, past wrongs committed by people they love and trust aren’t easily forgotten like their normal everyday problems. Betrayal can lead to an onslaught of toxic thoughts and feelings. Those wrongs may stick with them, no matter how tightly they cling to their drug of choice. Unfortunately, substances have the opposite effect on long term peace of mind and actually keep them rooted in toxicity. Alcohol and drugs lull the mind into a stupor so it can nurture an insidious companion — resentment. During treatment, it is possible to let go of resentment and move forward in forgiveness for themselves and others.

When You Want the Link Between Alcoholics and Self-Sabotage to End

This cycle of self-sabotage doesn’t have to go on forever. It only continues as long as you’re willing to allow yourself to keep using substances. Usually, there comes a point where those using alcohol realize that self-sabotage is not working for them. That there was a time in their life where they weren’t always seeking desperate answer to self-made problems.

Consider how much effort you’re putting into making something broken work. As the old adage is parroted time and time again in the halls of Alcoholics Anonymous

“The definition of insanity is trying the same thing over and over again and expecting different results.”

But there’s a reason these adages are repeated over and over. They work. That energy expended on self-sabotage would rebuild your life if funneled into a program instead.

Seek Alcohol Addiction Treatment at New Start Recovery

At New Start Recovery, we are here to help you end the connection between alcoholics and self-sabotage. We offer a range of treatment options at our alcohol addiction reatment program, including:

  • Alcohol detox
  • Residential treatment programs
  • Partial hospitalization programs
  • Intensive outpatient programs
  • Outpatient programs

If you or a loved one is ready to seek help for a drinking problem, our addiction counselors are available 24/7. Contact us today at *DM_DirectNumber format=period linked=true* to learn more about our treatment programs.

Posted in Addiction, Alcoholism, Relapse