People living with addiction may deny their behavior. This article explores the signs of addiction denial and when to seek help.
What Is Denial?
Denial is a defense mechanism. It is a means of coping with anxiety-provoking or distressing thoughts or emotions. When it’s difficult to accept information about oneself or the world, denial can serve as a way to distort or downplay the truth, keeping a person from facing reality.
Denial can persist for short or long periods and looks different for everyone. However, as addictive behaviors become more disruptive to a person’s life, it can be harder to deceive oneself and others and ignore what is happening.
Stages of Denial
There are several theories on denial, but one of the ways healthcare providers view it is through the stages of change model. These include:
Precontemplation ContemplationPreparationActionMaintenanceRelapse prevention
In the pre-contemplation stage, someone may not view themselves as having an addiction or be willing to evaluate their actions (denial). As the behavior continues, a person may begin to reckon with the idea that there may be a problem (contemplation).
Finally, a person moves from denial to accepting their addiction when they recognize the issue and are mobilized to change it.
Signs
Signs of denial may include but are not limited to:
Hiding or lying about addictive behaviorsRationalizing their behaviorBlaming others for their actionsMinimizing the impact of consequences for themselves or othersContinued involvement in behaviors despite disruption to life or serious consequencesInability to be honest with themselves about their behavior
Causes
The following factors can lead to the development of addictive behaviors:
“Things could have been worse. ”“It just happened a couple of times. It’s not a big deal. ”“It was just a couple of drinks. I couldn’t be the one who was left out. It’s not a problem. ”“I’ve been under a lot of stress. I’m only using for a little while to cope. ”
Stressful situationsTraumatic eventsFamily historyChanges in the brain’s reward system and circuitry, which can lead to impulse control issues
Genetics also increase the chances of developing addiction. Heritability rates can be 50% or more in family members with alcohol or opioid use.
Environmental factors such as access, social pressure, and lack of coping can also increase the likelihood of addiction.
Depression and Addiction
Depression can fuel addiction denial by causing low emotions, unhelpful thoughts, avoidance, or escape mechanisms. These can perpetuate feelings of denial by prohibiting someone from examining their addictive behavior and addressing the issue head-on.
This can become a vicious cycle in the sense that depression and addiction can exacerbate each other.
When to Talk to Your Healthcare Provider
Initiating a conversation with your healthcare provider can be the first step to getting support for addiction. Signs that it may be time to reach out include:
Worrying that you may be addicted to a substance or other behavior Symptoms of withdrawal after stopping use of a substance Negative consequences at home, work, or school Preoccupation with thoughts of using or planning to use Acting without regard for safety or consequences for yourself or others Excessive use of substances Risky behavior or dangerous consequences with use Emotions such as guilt or shame Anxiety, depression, or suicidal thoughts
Withdrawal symptoms can be dangerous. For those dependent on a substance, talking to a healthcare provider is the best way to develop a plan for detoxing safely.
Summary
A person may consciously or unconsciously engage in addiction denial because they are struggling to accept the reality of their behavior. It is possible to move past denial. Recognizing signs in yourself or loved ones can initiate the process of recovery. Help is available through various sources, including talking to a healthcare provider, mental health or substance use professional, and support groups.
If you or someone you know are having suicidal thoughts, dial 988 to contact the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline and connect with a trained counselor. If you or a loved one are in immediate danger, call 911.
For more mental health resources, see our National Helpline Database.
A Word From Verywell
While addiction denial may seem like a method of protecting yourself from hard truths about your behavior, continued denial can be harmful. If you’re struggling with addiction or addiction denial, reflecting on your behavior and approaching yourself with honesty and compassion can help you begin the process of recovery. Acknowledgment and acceptance are essential to that process.
Understanding triggersCoping skillsSocial and professional supportRelapse prevention plan
