Denial can be one of the strongest impediments in seeking help for addiction and alcoholism. We use all forms of self-deception to keep ourselves from admitting the truth—that we are powerless over addiction and our lives are unmanageable. We may face dire consequences as a result of our behaviors, yet still maintain the belief that we are somehow different from those suffering from addiction. We falsely believe, despite all evidence to the contrary, that we can assert control over our addiction; that we have not lost the power of choice. Narcotics Anonymous, a 12-Step fellowship dedicated to recovery from drug addiction, presents a few reasoning why someone might be unwilling to admit that they have an addiction problem: “I’m different. I know I take drugs, but I’m not an addict. I have real emotional/family/job problems,” or “I’m just having a tough time getting it together right now,” or “I’ll be able to stop when I find the right person/get the right job, etc.” When we look deeply within ourselves, however, we realize that these are simply excuses to keep us from addressing the reality of our addiction problems. We must admit that there is a problem if we are to make any progress in our recovery. N.A. goes on to point out that, when we enter into a program of recovery, “we must face three disturbing realizations: that we are powerless over our addiction and our lives are unmanageable; that although we are not responsible for our disease, we are responsible for our recovery; and that we can no longer blame people, places, and things for our addiction. We must face our problems and our feelings.” Many of us know deep down that if we are to admit that there is a problem, we will have to finally face our feelings. This prospect may seem overwhelming, and we will do almost anything in our power to avoid the discomfort of the process. However, if we are to know freedom and serenity, we must be willing to recognize the true nature of our disease.
Denial is strong, but you are stronger and deserve to recover from addiction. You can make the decision to change your story and begin building a better life by seeking help now. Oceanfront Recovery, a treatment center in beautiful Laguna Beach, is staffed with compassionate and knowledgeable professionals dedicated to guiding you through the process of recovery. For more information about treatment options, please call today: (877) 279-1777
