What is Denial?
You may see someone using drugs or alcohol to excess, creating problems in their life due to use or losing control. They may not see these same problems as you or others do. This is called Denial.

Bottom line is that nobody will feel good about themselves if they believe they are losing control or doing something harmful to themselves. Those with a substance abuse problem will try to hide the problem from others, may lie about the extent of their use or try to rationalize why they continue to use.

Denial is about fooling yourself into believing that everything is okay. It is like a blind-spot for the consequences of Substance Abuse and Addiction. Denial is not something that anyone sets out to do. It just happens.

"I knew that there were problems in my life - and that they were getting worse. It seemed a good reason to go on using.

I had no idea that it was my use that was leading to most of the problems. I really didn't see that until I was so far in."

Because Denial blinds people from the problems that arise from their use, they do not seek help. If you don’t see a problem, there is no reason to get help for it.

The extent of denial is a measure of how sick a person is with substance abuse or addiction. How bad does it have to get?

“Some are sicker than others.”

Some will realize a problem and accept help after a first charge for impaired driving. Some will spend time in jail or hospital, but still not see that they have a problem. Others will die in denial.