Addictions & Denial

Denial is the distinguishing symptom of addiction.
It involves hiding the truth, refusing to talk about the problem, rationalizing, or minimizing the behavior. Denial is a protective measure on the part of the addicted person to avoid seeing   the problem and significantly interferes with take the first step to resolve it.  Even if an addict is forced to deal with a problem, such as filing for bankruptcy, denial says it has nothing to do with her compulsive spending or gambling. Losing one's job may be blamed on an unfair boss. After the second dui, the addict will blame it on his luck; the officer was unfair or minimizes the dui by saying “I only had one”.

Denial – Clouds Relationships

Unfortunately, denial can become the all encompassing cloud around a relationship, where the partner begins to believe the excuses and rationalizations. Denial would lead a parent to blame a “vindictive” ex-spouse for the loss of visitation rights rather than admit that he/she drove the car drunk when bringing the kids home. Denial frequently comes across as making excuses — for example, “I’m just drinking a lot tonight, I haven’t had one all week” “Shopping is just social time with my friends, not an addiction. “Just because my closet is full of clothes with the tags still on doesn’t mean I have a spending problem”.

Failed Attempts at Quitting

It is common for an addicted individual to have attempted quitting their addictive behaviors, and failed, over and over.  They may have been trying to prove to themselves that the problem behavior is not an addiction. This may have been done in secret, denying to others that a problem exists. The memory of the failure may lead them deeper into using the denial as the defense. He/she might try to convince themselves or others that it didn't work in the past because he/she didn't really want to quit at that time and wasn’t really ready.

Denying the Addiction

An addicted person who is in denial will often vehemently deny that they have a problem. In fact, she asserts, she can quit any time she wants. He/she just hasn't had the desire to quit to this point. Be aware that denial may become more intense as the problems worsen. This is only a sign that the addicted person is in over their head and needs intensive and immediate help. However, if he/she is unwilling to face the use of denial, any treatment efforts will be ineffective and fail. Acknowledgment of the addiction and the negative effects the addiction has on a person's life are necessary for healing.

 

 

Alcohol Abuse Screening

Easy Yes or No Quiz

• Do you lose time from work due to alcohol use?
• Do you drink to gain confidence?
• Has your ambition decreased since using?
• Do you use because you are shy or withdrawn with other people?
• Have you ever felt remorse after drinking?
• Is drinking jeopardizing your job or business?
• Do you drink to escape from worries or troubles?
• Have any of your family/friends commented on your excess use of alcohol?
• Is your use of alcohol making your home life unhappy?
• Is drinking affecting your reputation?
• Have you have financial difficulties as a result of using?
• Do you turn to inferior companions and environments when drinking?
• Does your drinking make you thoughtless of your family’s welfare?
• Do you crave alcohol at a specific time daily?
• Do you crave a drink the next day?
• Does drinking cause you to have difficulty getting a good night's sleep (7-9 uninterrupted hours)?
• Has you efficiency and productivity decreased since drinking?
• Do you drink alone?
• Have you ever had a loss of memory as a result of drinking?
• Have you ever been to a hospital or institution due to drinking?

According to the Office of Health Care Programs, Johns Hopkins University Hospital, developers of this screening quiz.........
 If you answered 3 or more of these questions with a Yes it is a definite sign that your drinking patterns are harmful and possibly considered alcohol dependent or alcoholic.  
I recommend you call Dr. Leslie Zebel for a more comprehensive evaluation and customized treatment options in Palm Beach County call 561-585-8787.

Addiction Treatment Counseling Available for Residents Living in Boca Raton, Delray Beach, West Palm Beach, Palm Beach Gardens, Lake Worth, South Olive and Flagler and all surrounding areas of Palm Beach County, Florida.