Is denial a more prominent feature of alcohol addiction than of other addictions?

[cleantheplaceup]

Just musing on the differences between cigarette addiction and alcohol addiction.

Perhaps it's just the people I've met but I've found most smokers accept that they have an unhealthy habit, urge other not to take it up etc etc.

Yet with alcohol addicts it seems to be the opposite - denial, minimising. Do others find this to be the case? And if so, why? Is it because there are perceived 'safe' amounts of alcohol consumption yet none for smoking?

I think it's there is a degree of shame and personal degradation associated with alcohol abuse; you don't end up in fights or in police cells because you had too many cigs.

It's because. Oops.

I think cigarette addiction is the unusual one, and alcohol is more like other addictions.

Mainly, I think this is because cigarettes have a much smaller effect on mood etc, so there is less of a psychological element on top of the physical addiction. Alcohol addiction is psychologically similar not only to addiction to other drugs that have a strong physiological effect, but also to non-chemical compulsive conditions or disorders (e.g. gambling addiction, eating disorders, OCD).

That's a good point MrsFring.

No i disagree. My ex smoked pot, his minimizing and denial was delusional.

he'd criticize me for having a glass of wine before dinner while he'd been smoking all day.

I used to wake up in the middle of the night to find him smoking pot and he'd somehow blame me for why he needed one.

Denial comes with all addictions.

With cigarettes, people do say don't start smoking, it's stupid, I wish I'd never started etc etc, but they still smoke themselves even though they know it's incredibly bad for them, so there does seem to be a large element of denial there too!

You can say 'its bad' and still be in emotional and analytical denial. The trouble is with alcohol is its a mind-altering drug and the rationales you come up with when drunk do bleed into soberness. Pkus you don't really know how drunk you are and you forget.. because that's what alcohol does.

Your ex who smoked weed was probably im denial about a tobacco addiction with a weed overlay..

I think you're right that there is less denial amongst smokers (of cigs) that they are addicted. Perhaps it's because as a PP said they don't alter mood? I also think that as a society we have pretty much turned our backs on tobacco over the last 20 years whereas alcohol is still very much socially accepted.

Compare typical reactions to giving up:
"I've given up smoking." - "Hey, good for you! I know I should too! Stick with it!"
"I've given up alcohol." - "Oh... is that a... religious thing?" "Really? You won't be coming to the pub anymore then? Whatever!?" "Oh - was there a problem?" "Are you on a diet or something?" "Oh go on, just have one, it won't hurt you!"

I also think a hell of a lot of people have drinking problems that they are in denial about, hence they don't like hearing about people stopping drinking because it throws their own drinking into sharp relief.

You said it yourself OP smoking = a habit and that is why it may 'seem' like a less prominent feature.
As a smoker if he/she is additcted and the answer will mostly be defensive or passed as a 'habit'.
As an addiction counsellor I would say no, sexual,drugs,food etc unless to detriment of life will live in denial.

pocketsaviour, yes, that's exactly what I'm talking about. It's almost like alcohol is sacred, it's taboo to say it causes damage?

I agree about the tide turning with smoking - it's the reason I gave up 10 years ago, it just wasn't as socially acceptable or easy to smoke as it had been.

I wonder if that will ever happen with alcohol?

As a recovering alcoholic the following resonates with me :

Alcoholism is the only disease which tries to persuade you that you don't have it.

I am also a smoker; I know I need to quit, am a serial quitter and plan to do so v soon. The thought makes me v uncomfortable, hence the addiction.

Doesn't answer your question really but I do know if it's addictive, I'll get addicted. I'm a light smoker as am dual addicted with the lozenges

Alcohol use is prevalent in society - lots of people drink without becoming addicted or drinking to excess. So people who do have a drink problem are doing something that they can pretend/lie to themselves is socially normal and acceptable. On the whole, people smoke because they are addicted. So smokers can't really say that they just have one cigarette with a meal or whatever.

I would agree though that denial is a big part of addiction, even nicotine addiction.