The phrase “the isms of alcoholism” is a vernacular term originating within 12-Step recovery fellowships like Alcoholics Anonymous. This concept describes a distinct collection of attitudes, defense mechanisms, and personality traits that accompany the disease of alcoholism, rather than the physical act of drinking. These non-physical, behavioral patterns persist even after a person stops consuming alcohol. The “isms” represent the internal turmoil and flawed thinking that can undermine long-term sobriety if left unaddressed.
Understanding the Framework of Behavioral Patterns
The need to identify these behavioral patterns stems from the conceptualization of alcoholism as a threefold disease, affecting the body, mind, and spirit. The physical component is the abnormal reaction causing loss of control once drinking begins. The mental obsession is the persistent, irrational thought process that convinces the individual to take the first drink despite negative consequences.
The “isms” are largely considered the visible expression of the mental and spiritual components, which remain active long after physical sobriety is achieved. Sobriety removes the alcohol, but the underlying emotional and psychological sickness, sometimes called a spiritual malady, remains. This internal sickness manifests as a persistent state of restlessness, irritability, and discontentment with life.
These maladaptive patterns drive the individual’s approach to life, relationships, and problem-solving in the absence of a chemical coping mechanism. If these attitudes are not changed, they often lead to emotional discomfort that can trigger a return to drinking. The “isms” are the emotional and psychological habits of active addiction, which must be treated separately from the physical addiction itself.
Common Manifestations of Alcoholism
One of the most universally recognized “isms” is denial, a powerful defense mechanism that prevents the individual from acknowledging the severity of their problem or the impact of their behavior on others. Denial often extends beyond drinking, manifesting as an inability to accept responsibility for mistakes or failures. This pattern allows the person to minimize faults and maintain a distorted self-perception.
Dishonesty is another core behavioral pattern, including lying to others and an insidious form of self-deception. The person may rationalize poor choices or justify harmful actions to themselves, creating an internal narrative that protects their ego from painful truths. Rationalization involves inventing plausible-sounding but false reasons for negative behavior.
Grandiosity and perfectionism often appear together as a psychological defense against deep-seated feelings of inadequacy. Grandiosity is an inflated sense of self-importance, making the individual resistant to advice or accountability. Perfectionism is the relentless pursuit of an impossible standard, leading to chronic frustration and self-criticism when the standard is missed.
Resentment, defined as anger or indignation felt from a real or imagined injury, acts as a primary fuel for emotional turmoil. The individual holds onto grudges and replays perceived slights, maintaining a constant state of negative emotional arousal. This focus on external grievances prevents them from addressing their own internal problems.
Self-pity is a form of emotional self-absorption where the person focuses intensely on their own misfortune, often feeling misunderstood or victimized by circumstances. This attitude excuses them from action and responsibility, allowing them to remain miserable instead of seeking solutions. Procrastination is a common result, as the person delays necessary tasks or difficult conversations, choosing avoidance over constructive engagement.
Addressing the Patterns in Long-Term Recovery
Identifying and addressing these ingrained behavioral patterns is paramount for achieving sustained sobriety, as they are often the direct precursors to relapse. While abstinence stops the physical drinking, the untreated “isms” create a high degree of emotional turmoil and psychological instability. This internal discomfort can lead the individual to seek the familiar and immediate relief that alcohol once provided.
The process of managing these patterns requires an ongoing commitment to self-inventory, which involves systematically examining one’s thoughts, motives, and actions. This conscious assessment helps expose how denial and rationalization operate in daily life. By shining a light on these beliefs, the individual can begin to dismantle the flawed thinking that supported their addiction.
Accountability is another major tool used to manage the “isms,” often through regular consultation with a mentor or support network. Sharing thoughts and fears breaks the isolation inherent in many of these patterns, such as self-pity and dishonesty. This external perspective provides a necessary check against the self-deception and grandiosity that can lead to poor decision-making.
Ultimately, long-term recovery involves replacing these old, maladaptive patterns with new, constructive coping mechanisms for stress, failure, and emotional pain. This includes developing a framework for problem-solving, emotional regulation, and building healthy relationships that are not based on manipulation or self-centeredness. The goal is a fundamental shift in personality and perspective, allowing the individual to handle life’s challenges without resorting to destructive attitudes.