Top 10 Forms of Addiction Denial

Few of us would be eager to admit that our spouse, child, or friend has an addiction. Often we don't recognize the problem until authorities are involved. Then we ask how we could have missed the signs. Here are ten guises that denial can take, adapted from Avoiding Relapse: Catching Your Inner Con, by Lynn Namka.

1. Denial of the facts. That guidance counselor doesn't know what she's talking about. Our son is fine--he's getting straight-As.
   
   
2. Denial of the significance of the facts. I've never blacked-out or gotten drunk at work. I'm not a wino.
   
   
3. Denial of the duration of the problem. Once I get my degree, I'll stop taking stimulants.
   
   
4. Denial that fosters false hope for future use. After I break the habit, I'll be able to drink again at parties.
   
   
5. Denial of emotions. I need wine to deal with the stress I'm under. You'd drink, too, if you had my life.
   
   
6. Denial regarding control. I don't need those self-help meetings. I'm doing fine on my own.
   
   
7. Denial of family secrets. No one at the new school needs to know that our daughter used to cut herself.
   
   
8. Denial of lifestyle hazards. Mom, I don't take drugs anymore; I'm just hanging out with my friends.
   
   
9. Denial of responsibility. I use, but it's not my fault. My parents always put so much pressure on me.
   
   
10. Denial of shame-based feelings. I can't let myself know how bad I feel.

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