Living with addiction can lead to severe damage to your short and long-term health. An addiction can cause significant relationship strain, harm your emotional wellbeing, and may result in life-altering legal or financial trouble.

With all the negative consequences of addiction, you might think it would be impossible for a person living with addiction to deny having a problem. But most people who struggle with substance abuse or addiction don’t get treatment to overcome it–and some don’t seem to realize they need help.

Denial is a complex, destructive coping mechanism that can prevent someone with addiction from recognizing the signs of a serious problem. Even when it is clear to everyone in their life that they are in real trouble, someone in addiction denial may ignore reality and continue to abuse substances.

Recognizing the signs of denial in addiction can help you identify the need for substance abuse treatment. If you or a loved one struggles with addiction, reach out to the specialists at Addiction Intervention for information about our supportive addiction treatment programs.

Common Signs of Denial

Many of the signs of addiction are apparent to friends and family. Someone who lives with addiction may have accidents or injuries related to their substance use. They may lose their job or be involved in legal trouble. People may notice that their loved person’s appearance is changing or that they have stopped doing things they once enjoyed.

While the signs of addiction may be easy to see, addiction denial may be more difficult to identify. Here are some common signs of denial to watch out for.

Irritation

Your loved one may seem irritated that other people are concerned about their behavior. They may get angry or hostile if people discuss their substance use or express worry.

Secrecy and Dishonesty

You may catch your loved one in a lie or discover that they have been hiding their substance use. For example, you may find hidden empty alcohol bottles or drug paraphernalia around the house or discover that they have been lying about where they will be.

Blame

Someone living with addiction may point to external causes to explain their substance abuse. They may blame other people, such as coworkers or family members, or challenging circumstances for their need to drink or use drugs.

Believing Their Behavior Isn’t Hurtful

Your loved one may say something like “It only hurts me” or “It’s my life” to rationalize their substance abuse. Addiction is challenging to a person’s loved ones and community, but denial prevents an addicted person from recognizing others’ needs.

Downplaying

An addicted person may believe that they do not have a problem if they haven’t hit rock bottom. They may say things like, “I don’t drink that much” or “At least I’m not as bad as another person.”

Believing Binges are OK

A person who binges instead of using every day may use this to deny they have a substance use disorder. But binges can be a sign of an unhealthy relationship with substances and can lead to the same severe harm as daily use.

Fails to Keep Promises

A person with addiction may make promises they can’t seem to keep. They may say whatever they need to say to get their loved ones to back off, including making promises to seek treatment or reduce their substance use. A person with an addiction is no longer in control of their substance use and may not be able to keep promises to stop using–even if they wanted to.

Rationalize Their Substance Use

Your loved one may believe they need to use substances to function in their daily life. They may say things like, “I need to drink to get to sleep” or “Using drugs helps me get through a tough day at work.” Needing substances to perform their daily routine is a sign of a substance use disorder and should not be ignored.

Often, one of the most significant signs of denial in addiction is that everyone around the person is concerned. Their friends and family may spend a great deal of time and energy worrying about the addicted person. This is a sign that the addicted person needs help.

Treatment for Addiction Denial

The risks of not getting addiction treatment are severe: increased risk of financial, legal, or health-related problems, and worsening addiction symptoms that are harder to treat. For many people, getting addiction treatment is the only way to overcome the condition and learn how to live a fulfilling, sober lifestyle.

Getting someone in denial to agree to treatment may be more challenging. An intervention may prompt an addicted person to get the help they need. A trained interventionist can help you plan an intervention that is likely to be effective. Together, you and other people close to the addicted person can express your concerns and set healthy boundaries that will encourage them to seek the treatment they need.

Get Help Now

If you or someone you love needs substance abuse treatment, reach out to the specialists at Addiction Intervention today for information about our intervention services.