this post was submitted on 16 Dec 2023
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Showerthoughts

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A "Showerthought" is a simple term used to describe the thoughts that pop into your head while you're doing everyday things like taking a shower, driving, or just daydreaming. A showerthought should offer a unique perspective on an ordinary part of life.

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It's almost impossible to deny being an alcoholic without sounding like an alcoholic (lemmy.world)
submitted 11 months ago by PoastRotato@lemmy.world to c/showerthoughts@lemmy.world
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[–] TheGreenGolem@lemm.ee 9 points 11 months ago (1 children)

Except when it's not. I so much hate this rhetoric. You know what? You can freely think that I am one, and I genuinely think I'm not. If you think that I am one, that's your problem, not mine. That's why OP's question is so hard to answer. Because everybody is just parroting this rhetoric.

And "you are clearly an alcoholic" comments in 3, 2, 1...

[–] habanhero@lemmy.ca -4 points 11 months ago* (last edited 11 months ago) (1 children)

You can freely think that I am one, and I genuinely think I'm not. If you think that I am one, that's your problem, not mine.

I mean that's exactly the issue lol. You might not be an alcoholic, but if you were there's a solid chance you'd deny that fact.There is a good reason why parts of the 12 step program involve admitting and recognizing that there is a problem, and it's not limited to alcoholism but substance abuse in general.

A lot of people who genuinely need help refuses to see or admit that they do.

[–] Buddahriffic@lemmy.world 1 points 11 months ago (1 children)

If someone has problem x but doesn't want others to know about it, how would they behave?

If someone didn't have problem x and didn't want others to think they did, how would they behave?

And most importantly, how would you differentiate between the two cases? Don't just stop after the first question.

[–] habanhero@lemmy.ca 1 points 11 months ago

In both cases I think they would deny it.

I don't have a solution for the 2nd situation (and I don't think anyone really does), this is more of a social problem. The point I'm making is that in the first scenario there is a clear pattern of denial for those who need help.

In terms of how you differeniate it, my understanding is if the behavior is impacting your life negatively then you would seek help. But I'm not an expert and that's not a problem we are solving here.