5 Reasons Alcoholics Choose Self-Sabotage

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.