Nobody wants to admit that they have a problem with drugs and alcohol. We are often trying to convince ourselves that we do not have a problem just as much as we are trying to convince others. Through all forms of self-deception, we will try to prove to ourselves that our drinking or drug use is under control, despite all evidence to the contrary. Coming to terms with the fact that our drug and alcohol use has progressed into addiction and alcoholism can be difficult. We will use all sorts of mental twists to convince ourselves that our problem is under control. Peg O’Connor, in a 2017 Psychology Today article entitled Addiction and Self-Deception, explains, “He may assemble evidence for his belief about not having a problem by pointing to others in his circle of acquaintances (people ready at hand) who consume more than he or who have experienced significant loses as a consequence of use. He may point to the fact that he has stopped for some periods of time as evidence against his having an addiction (confirmation bias). He may not recognize that some of his friends who drank just like him have quit because that might challenge his belief. The addict’s self-deception is fueled by the motivated false belief that he does not have a problem.” Through all these tactics and more, we lie to ourselves about the reality of our problem. It may seem as though admitting our problem would cause more problems for us, but it is quite the opposite. Continuing our drug use will inevitably end in the old Alcoholics Anonymous adage: “jails, institutions, and death.” We will lose our friends and family, face legal and financial problems, and continue to suffer physically, emotionally, and spiritually. Conversely, when we finally overcome our self-deception and see the truth of our problem, it may be a blow to our egos, but it is the necessary catalyst to begin the healing process and overcome addiction. Taking a moment to look inward and truly reflect on our experience with alcohol and drugs may be frightening and we may want to look away and bury the evidence we find that we are, in fact, suffering from addiction. Taking this crucial step, however, will allow us to finally reach out for the help we so desperately need.
Your story can be one of courage and redemption in sobriety. You can make the decision to reach out for help today and embark upon the rewarding journey of recovery. Oceanfront Recovery, located in beautiful Laguna Beach, is staffed with compassionate professionals dedicated to providing all the tools necessary to overcome addiction and live a happy, joyous, and free life in sobriety. For information about treatment options, please call today: (877) 279-1777
