On a behavioural level, the simplest factor that distinguishes between dependence and use, or abuse, is that the addict reaches a point where their use of alcohol is no longer reliably under their control. They will, therefore, not be able to consistently remain true to their intention to cut down, regulate, or stop using when they intend to. Knowing the 7 ways to overcome denial in addiction is super important because the odds of recovery the first time round are a dismal 10 percent or so. You are likely to waste a ton of time and money on denial. Some waste it again and again trying to beat around the bush, by blaming others like parents for example, or others make a half job out of their recovery or treatment process. Either way it’s not going to do you that much good. You get out of addiction treatment what you put in.
You cannot just think your way out of addiction you must work your way out!
Mark L Lockwood BA(hons)(psy)
This inability to always control their use is a major challenge to the ego of the alcoholic, who is aware of the fact that those not so afflicted can more predictably control their use. Although this failure to control their use by no means reflects a lack of willpower or inner strength, it is experienced as a sign of weakness and becomes a source of shame. A substance-dependent person trying to use willpower to control their use is like someone trying to use willpower to stop themselves from falling from a 40 story building after they have jumped.
The jumping is the equivalent of the first drug or drink, after which self-control becomes virtually impossible.
Another behavioural sign is that the afflicted person will continue to misuse substances despite continuous harm to themselves and/or others. READ THAT AGAIN !!
To the observer (family, peers, friends, counsellors) it is obvious that abuse is the source of the person’s problems, but the person themselves will either deny there is a problem, or admit it while blaming it on people or situations unrelated to the addiction. The 7 ways to overcome denial in addiction teach us how to spot this issue fast and then get beyond it.
The reason for this is that the person is living in a haze of unreality created by the incredible power of denial and all its relatives such as rationalisation, blame and minimisation. Indeed, addiction amplifies all the human weaknesses such as blame and resentment, self-pity and victim thinking. After 20 years in the field, I am still sometimes amazed at the power of denial to delude the afflicted person into believing that they have been a loving parent/partner/child, or an adequate worker/student, when the objective evidence points dramatically to the contrary.
Yet another behavioural sign is that the afflicted person’s life becomes increasingly narrow as they develop a preoccupation with their use of substances. They get jobs and do things that allow them to drink successfully when they want. Consequently previously valued activities, interests and relationships are relegated to the scrap heap of the irrelevant, often leaving loved ones scratching their heads and holding their hearts. Look at these stages of change and how each has to unfold, one after the other for real change and recovery to happen. You cannot just think your way out of addiction you must work your way out.
7 ways to overcome denial in addiction:
1. Awareness of how long my addiction has been in my life is key
2. Awareness of how long I have RUN AWAY FROM RECOVERY in the past is key
3. Awareness of how long I have lived a life of resentment and negative feelings like blame is key
4. Awareness of how long I have had an emotional problem is key
5. Awareness of how long I need to take to fix my addictions and emotions is key
6. Awareness of how long other people have thought I should get help AND I HAVE REFUSED is key
7. Awareness that the time for a full blown recovery, a full blown paradigm shift is key right now.
These 7 ways to overcome denial in addiction should be printed up on a card and laminated. At our alternative rehab centre we make sure that people who do our addiction treatment recovery program, called the Paradigm Process are well equipped to know that Awareness is the very first step of change. Not action, but awareness!
Drug Rehab Centres are not for everyone. That is why we have designed a world class, state of the art addiction treatment program that can be done at home, or at our Luxury Wellness Centre in South Africa. Whatever you do don’t stay stuck in addiction, lost in denial and avoidance. Rather, treat your symptoms, find a system of recovery and transform your life. Dont stay stuck!