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Creative Ways People Hide Their Drinking from Others

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A man bringing a finger to his lips in a "shush"-ing motion

Alcoholism is a dangerous disease that kills around 178,000 people in the U.S. each year. Hiding alcohol is almost a sure sign of problem drinking. If you suspect that someone you know might be lying about their alcohol use or hiding alcohol to avoid the consequences of drinking, read on.

Today, we’re taking a look at some of the not-so-obvious ways that individuals who suffer from alcoholism may try to hide their drinking from others, and how you can help them take steps toward recovery.

Carrying Alcohol

Individuals have been coming up with new and interesting ways to carry hidden alcohol for years. If you are concerned about someone taking alcohol with them when they go to work or go out on the town, these are some of the places you can check.

Mixing Alcohol in Canned Sodas

By pouring out part of a soda and pouring in their alcohol of choice, people can mask that they are having half a can of alcohol along with their soda. They may also do this with Styrofoam cups and other opaque portable beverage containers.

Mixing Alcohol with Cough Syrup

Hide Their Drinking
By mixing alcohol with soda, others may not realize they’re drinking.

Pouring out cough syrup or adding alcohol to the cough syrup is another secretive way that some people may hide their drinking. Others will just purchase cough syrup with large amounts of alcohol in it, but this does not accomplish the same effect.

Switching Mouthwash with Alcohol

Many people will either mix alcohol with mouthwash, which hides the smell, or just pour the mouthwash out and fill the bottle with alcohol.

Putting Alcohol in a Portable Water Backpack

This is a relatively new trick. The portable water backpacks that hikers use are filled with alcohol so that the user can take a drink whenever they want.

Hiding Alcohol in their Home

There are hundreds of hiding places that people use in their homes. Many people who hide alcohol pick creative places that they think you will not look. Remember, these places are usually relatively easy to access so the person can take a drink when they feel that they need to.

Laundry Basket

Dirty laundry is a common place where people hide bottles. Most people do their own laundry and no one is likely to go digging through a laundry basket unless they suspect something.

Under Clean Clothes in the Closet

Closets are another place people hide their alcohol. It is easy to stack clothing around or on top of a bottle. A closet also provides easy access to alcohol. Some people use clothes closets, while others use pantries or linen closets.

In the Tank of a Toilet

This is one of the more creative places to hide alcohol. They seal the bottle and drop it into a toilet tank. It remains in clean water and can be accessed any time the person goes to the bathroom.

Hiding Alcohol Can Be a Sign of Alcoholism

If you or someone you know is hiding alcohol, chances are they have a drinking problem. Most people do not feel the need to hide their drinking unless they cannot control it. For more information or to find treatment for alcoholism call 800-948-8417 Question iconSponsored today.

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