For those struggling with a substance use disorder (SUD), or an addiction to drugs or alcohol, accepting that they are not just abusing a substance but are dependent upon it can be a challenge. Denial in addiction cases is pervasive. Unfortunately, addiction denial leads to many people struggling with SUDs only turning to professional help when they experience an extreme state like an overdose or legal troubles.
If you or someone you care about is seeking professional help to overcome addiction, don’t look up the term “addiction treatment programs near me” online only when the SUD has progressed significantly. Instead, call 833.551.2304 to speak with someone from Gulf Breeze Recovery today about our substance abuse treatment programs that can meet each individual’s specific needs as we help them lay the foundation for lasting recovery.
What Denial in Addiction Cases Entails
Denial is the refusal or inability to see what is true, distancing oneself from reality. Everyone has had a brush with denial—whether it’s a relationship they shouldn’t be in, feeling that they can take on more tasks than they should, or pretending things aren’t as bad as they seem. But denial becomes harmful when we ignore warning signs detrimental to our physical and mental health. Dangerous denial is pervasive for those struggling with alcohol or drug addiction.
Few people start with a full-blown addiction to alcohol or drugs. It typically creeps up slowly, building as it goes, which is why it can be easy to ignore the signs that your use is getting out of hand. When well-meaning friends and family give gentle nudges, you may tend to blow it off and make excuses.
What Does Addiction Denial Look Like?
Denial comes in many forms and can look different depending on your personality and circumstances. How do people know when they are in denial about their substance abuse? Here are just a few examples to let you know if you have a problem with denial:
- You know you have a problem but choose to ignore it anyway, lying to yourself and your loved ones.
- You are rationalizing substance use as a temporary solution to an external problem.
- You compare yourself to your peers to determine acceptable use.
- You know you use more than you should, but you don’t think it causes any problems.
- Your loved ones tell you to get help, but you ignore them.
- You may have considered getting help but think that your case is “unique” and that treatment can’t possibly help your situation.
Denial is the chronic ignorance of reality, whether intentional or not. So how do you overcome the habit of denial? Realizing that denial is just another habit that we can be addicted to can be a great push in the right direction. It starts with brutal honesty with yourself without allowing your ego to step in and say, “You’re doing fine.” Taking a good hard look in the mirror of your soul, taking inventory of your habits and actions, and whether or not they lead to the healthiest you can be should illuminate any actions that need addressing.
Once you’ve laid yourself bare for personal inspection, any problems you find should be faced and dealt with immediately. You may find that drinking or drug use is causing you to miss even one hour of the life you would like to live, interfering with relationships with loved ones, or hindering your professional, social, or spiritual path.
Overcome Denial of Addiction with Support from Gulf Breeze Recovery
Turning away means more denial, prolonging the inevitable truth that will eventually resurface, and more wasted time pretending the truth isn’t real. Facing denial of addiction means accepting that this is something that you’ve done, not something you are, and that just because you acted one way before does not mean you must keep operating that way in the future. For most, it means telling a loved one that you understand you have a problem to address. For many, it means getting the help they need from family, friends, physicians, and counselors trained specifically to help break the cycle of these habits.
Regardless of the chosen path, it should always include an honest inventory of a person’s current situation and a willingness to accept whatever that honesty uncovers. At Gulf Breeze Recovery, you can find the substance abuse treatment program you need. If you or a loved one are struggling with addiction, contact Gulf Breeze Recovery today at 833.551.2304 for more information about how our caring and compassionate team could help you or your loved ones overcome denial in addiction.
