But regardless of Denial - others can see the Addiction?
Secretive behaviors, shame and denial can hide a problem of drug abuse or addiction for some time. Other family members may suffer quietly in these very same symptoms.

“I thought I was hiding my use from everybody.

Now I see that I was only fooling myself.”

Very often, family and friends do not appreciate the compulsion and physical dependence that may be at the root of opiate drug use. The problem may not be seen as the severe condition that it is. They may not understand why you cannot just stop using.

Family and friends may hold mistaken beliefs about why an addicted person continues to use drugs. They may also believe that ongoing drug use is still caused by issues of the past, blame other people or unfortunate circumstances. These beliefs are encouraged by the denial and blame of a loved one in addiction.

Family members can blame themselves. They may try to behave differently in the hope that this will help you to stop using. These are some of the ways that addiction becomes a family illness. Denial, blame, shame and secrecy spread to others.

Health professionals may also be caught trying to respond to the many problems and entangled relations that result from an addicted lifestyle. Family counseling, antidepressant medication or crisis interventions may or may not be helpful. But they are not treatment for addiction.