When I started having an issue with drugs and alcohol, I was definitely the last person to know. A lot of addicts and alcoholics go through denial and have a hard time admitting they need help. I’ve thought of 7 signs you’re in denial about your addiction. Chances are if you’re in denial and reading this, you won’t make a connection but hopefully something sticks!7 Signs you’re in Denial about Your Addiction…
1. You blame your drug or alcohol abuse on someone else (this is all my parents fault for getting divorced and my husband’s fault for not being home enough.)
2. You minimize the effect your drinking and drugging has on family and loved ones (it’s all about me and only affecting my life so I don’t know why people care.)
3. You’re able to admit that you abuse drugs or alcohol but are unable to see it as a problem or an addiction (yeah I’m an alcoholic/druggie, but I don’t need to go to rehab, it’ll go away eventually!)
4. Everyone thinks you have a problem except you (maybe you guys have the problem, why do you all care what I’m doing anyways?!)
5. Saying you don’t need help and can quit whenever you want (it’s all good, as soon as I’m ready to stop using drugs I will.)
6. You’ve had consequences yet still are unable to see that it has to do with your addiction (like a DUI, been to jail, are on probation, overdosed, etc.)
7. When something major happens, your first thought is to use or drink (yet you still don’t have a problem, you’re just “stressed.”)
The word “denial” refers to the course by which people with addictions pretend (to themselves and/or to other people) that they do not have an addiction, when in fact they do, or that their addictive behavior is not problematic, when in fact it is. Denial can happen consciously or unconsciously; whether an addict is intentionally lying or truly has no idea they have a problem, denial can be a very scary thing to see in an addict or alcoholic.
Being in denial that you are an addict and alcoholic can make it very hard to recover and get sober. No one can tell you when a person is going to come to realize they have a problem or if they even ever do. For some people, the risk of losing their friends and loved ones is enough for them to stop but for others they can have every consequence in the world and still continue using.
The thing that is scary to me about addiction is how powerful this disease is. I’ve seen people with all of the knowledge in the world about addiction and how to stay sober and if they go out and relapse they’re right back in the grips of the disease. It is baffling how quickly the disease takes over and you’re in denial again even knowing the facts that you do. If you or a loved one are struggling with substance abuse or addiction, please call toll free 1-800-951-6135.
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