It has been said that one should “never underestimate the power of denial.” This is especially true when it comes to addiction. The reality is that addiction is the only disease that tells the indivdual that they don’t have a disease (more on that later). It is the “insanity” and insidious nature of addiction. The good news is that denial in addiction does not need to prevail. There are many effective means, methods, and modalities that can help one overcome their denial and ultimately recover in the long term.
Addressing a Loved One’s Denial in Addiction
Now, being in denial yourself is one thing, but addressing a loved one’s denial in addiction is something else entirely. After all, when you are in denial, you won’t even know it. That is the nature of the state of denial.
When a loved one is in denial about their addiction, they may very well push back hard and feel that they are being “attacked” or singled out. That is why it can be so important to solicit other people’s help when addressing a loved one’s addiction. This includes other loved ones and addiction professionals, and specialists.
Many people often feel conflicted about getting a loved one help because they feel like they may push them away. The reality is that they, too, are struggling with the disease that is addiction. This is because addiction is also a family disease that can have serious, traumatic, emotional, and mental effects on everyone involved. This is why understanding a little more about addiction can be so helpful.
Better Understanding Addiction
Yes, addiction is a disease. Many people are still under the false misconception that addiction is some type of moral failing or “choice.” This is a fallacy.
According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA), “Addiction is defined as a chronic, relapsing disorder characterized by compulsive drug seeking and use despite adverse consequences. It is considered a brain disorder because it involves functional changes to brain circuits involved in reward, stress, and self-control. Those changes may last a long time after a person has stopped taking drugs.” One can actually think of addiction like any other chronic disease, such as heart disease, cancer, or diabetes. It will almost always get worse without some type of professional intervention.
Addiction: The Disease That Tells You You Don’t Have a Disease
There are many paradoxes with addiction. One of the primary ones is that addiction is a disease in which someone does not think they have a disease. This is where the denial comes in. This can be especially difficult to overcome if the individual has yet to experience any significant consequences from their drinking. This may be like losing a job or experiencing adverse health effects.
Many people only end up seeking recovery once they have what is often referred to as “the gift of desperation.” This is also known as “hitting rock bottom.” However, one does not need to get to this point to seek recovery. The key is knowing what signs and symptoms to look out for early. The sooner you recognize the problem, the sooner you can get help.
The Signs and Symptoms of Addiction
Now, of course, the signs and symptoms of addiction are always going to vary based on the individual. However, one can look out for many universal signs. The following are just a few:
- Experiencing trouble at work or school
- Having trouble with sleep cycles, including sleeping too much and not sleeping enough (hypersomnia and insomnia)
- Having feelings of worthlessness, hopelessness, and helplessness
- Causing harm to oneself or others
- Feeling anxious, nervous, or overly “stressed out”
- Not being able to stop once starting to drink or use
- Having suicidal ideations
Now, as one can see, these signs and symptoms are serious and can even be deadly. This is why reaching out for professional help sooner rather than later is vital. Doing so could mean the difference between short-term side effects and long-term consequences.
Getting a Loved One the Help They Need
The key to getting a loved one the help they need is to reach out to professionals for help. Trying this process on your own could even end up creating unnecessary mental stress and emotional harm.
A professional recovery center can help your loved one address their denial, while also ensuring that they safely detox (as needed). It can also get them on the path to the next healthy steps of their recovery. This may include residential addiction care or an intensive outpatient program (IOP).
Long-Term Success With Lantana Recovery
Here at Lantana Recovery, we believe in long-term success over short-term “fixes.” This includes addressing denial early in recovery.
If you are looking to get a loved one the help they need, then we are here to help and support you. You can do this! We can help.
Denial is a powerful component of addiction, and it often keeps someone active in their struggles. It can be highly beneficial to understand the underlying causes of denial and how to best approach it. The good news is that there are healthy ways to overcome denial. There is a solution. If you feel like you or a loved one is struggling with issues of addiction, mental illness, or both, we can help get you on the right road to recovery right away. You don’t have to go through this process alone. For more information about the dangers of denial in addiction, please reach out to Lantana Recovery today at (866) 997-2870.
