What Part Denial Plays in Addiction

All people who are addicted (to anything) have some degree of denial. Without denial, most addictions would not have become established in the first place.

Denial can take many forms. At the milder extremes, a person may believe “I can handle this problem whenever I decide to do so.” The fact that one has a problem is at least acknowledged. At the other extreme, denial often takes the form of: “What problem? I don’t have a problem. You’ve got the problem.”

Denial can sometimes be so strong that a person’s whole life begins to deteriorate, and they still maintain everything is “just fine.” Jobs can be lost, marriages can dissolve, a person’s health can become affected, and all of these things (and more) can be present for some time before the person ultimately recognizes there is a problem to be solved.

One of the most dangerous effects of drug abuse and addiction is denial. The urge to use is so strong that the mind finds many ways to rationalize the addiction. You may drastically underestimate the quantity of drugs you’re taking, how much it impacts your life, and the level of control you have over your drug use.

Denial is an unconscious defense mechanism. Minimizing and rationalizing the addiction is less scary than admitting that your drug use is dangerously out of control. But the cost of denial can be extremely high, including the loss of important relationships, your job, financial security, and your physical and mental health.

If you have a friend or loved one who you feel is in denial, Gramercy Park Services can help. We’re located in New York City. If you aren’t near Manhattan, get help somewhere. This is a problem that is difficult to treat without professional help and guidance.

Tags: denial and addiction, denial and drug addiction, Gramercy Park Services, New York City