Alcohol and Substance Abuse Denial: Breaking Through the Excuses
For people in the throes of alcohol and substance abuse, one of the biggest barriers to treatment is denial that there is a problem.
Denial can persist for years and keep the addict from accepting that there is a problem even in the face of substantial evidence otherwise.
But once the addict moves beyond denial and accepts that he or she is indeed addicted, the turnaround can be almost instant.
If you are struggling to get a loved one into treatment, here are some common denial excuses, along with how you can counter them.
Excuse #1: My drug or alcohol use does not impair my functioning.
It is true that some addicts can go months or even years without letting their alcohol and substance abuse negatively affect their lives, but with addiction, things always turn bad in the end.
Think of your loved one's addiction as a ticking time-bomb.
They may seem okay now, but eventually it is going to explode.
Excuse #2: I can stop drinking.
I just do not want to.
Many addicts have an inflated view of their own power over their illness.
But addiction can be deceptive.
An addict may feel confident that he or she does not need drugs or alcohol, but as soon as they try to go a day or two without drinking or doing drugs, they can no longer help themselves.
Excuse #3: I drink/do drugs every day, but only a little.
Even if you only use a relatively small amount of drugs or alcohol every day, it still qualifies as alcohol and substance abuse if you cannot stop yourself.
And while it may not seem a big deal when you only use small amounts, the effects do accumulate over time.
Meanwhile, addictions that start as relatively minor often become much worse before the addict realizes it is happening.
Excuse #4: My addiction is my problem, and it does not affect anyone else.
Addicts often operate under the assumption that their alcohol and substance abuse does not affect others, but there are almost always effects on immediate friends and family members, even if they are subtle.
Plus, many family members pretend that the addiction does not affect them in order to avoid creating conflict.
Excuse #5: My addiction and substance abuse is only temporary.
I will quit soon.
No one should have to use drugs or alcohol to get through stressful times or to cope with a difficult situation.
There are healthier ways of coping, and to rely on substances for one's mental well-being is flirting with disaster.
All long-term addictions start out as short-term.
Denial can persist for years and keep the addict from accepting that there is a problem even in the face of substantial evidence otherwise.
But once the addict moves beyond denial and accepts that he or she is indeed addicted, the turnaround can be almost instant.
If you are struggling to get a loved one into treatment, here are some common denial excuses, along with how you can counter them.
Excuse #1: My drug or alcohol use does not impair my functioning.
It is true that some addicts can go months or even years without letting their alcohol and substance abuse negatively affect their lives, but with addiction, things always turn bad in the end.
Think of your loved one's addiction as a ticking time-bomb.
They may seem okay now, but eventually it is going to explode.
Excuse #2: I can stop drinking.
I just do not want to.
Many addicts have an inflated view of their own power over their illness.
But addiction can be deceptive.
An addict may feel confident that he or she does not need drugs or alcohol, but as soon as they try to go a day or two without drinking or doing drugs, they can no longer help themselves.
Excuse #3: I drink/do drugs every day, but only a little.
Even if you only use a relatively small amount of drugs or alcohol every day, it still qualifies as alcohol and substance abuse if you cannot stop yourself.
And while it may not seem a big deal when you only use small amounts, the effects do accumulate over time.
Meanwhile, addictions that start as relatively minor often become much worse before the addict realizes it is happening.
Excuse #4: My addiction is my problem, and it does not affect anyone else.
Addicts often operate under the assumption that their alcohol and substance abuse does not affect others, but there are almost always effects on immediate friends and family members, even if they are subtle.
Plus, many family members pretend that the addiction does not affect them in order to avoid creating conflict.
Excuse #5: My addiction and substance abuse is only temporary.
I will quit soon.
No one should have to use drugs or alcohol to get through stressful times or to cope with a difficult situation.
There are healthier ways of coping, and to rely on substances for one's mental well-being is flirting with disaster.
All long-term addictions start out as short-term.
