Free Term Paper on Denial and Addictive Behavior

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Denial, the topic for this week’s discussion, is unfortunately not a river in Jordan. While not a river, it is a characteristic that at times seems to be as resistant to change as the most torrent watercourse. Denial has been described as many things in many ways by many people and still I find the Webster’s Dictionary definition of denial to be the most meaningful and accurate:
“an assertion that an allegation is false…disbelief in the existence or reality of a thing…self-denial…[and] the reduction of anxiety by the unconscious exclusion from the mind of intolerable thoughts, feelings, or facts” (1977).

The readings and following class discussion illuminated just how varied and vast denial can manifest itself, especially with alcoholics and addicts. The discussion concluded that denial may be noticeable in the form of 1) an individual not being able to accept what is in front of him; 2) a coping mechanism to deal with facts as presented; or 3) the inability to see consequences of one’s behavior. Also based on the class discussion, things a counselor can look for to discern if a person is in denial are 1) if they consistently miss or avoid scheduled sessions, or while in sessions they continually change the subject; 2) if clients appear to reject logic or reason; 3) clients demonstrate incongruence, that is their non-verbal expression and actions are inconsistent with what they say; and 4) clients demonstrate the various defense mechanisms associated with alcoholism, addiction, and denial.


These defense mechanisms can be in the form of projection, (“I don’t have a problem –you have a problem.”) rationalization, (“It helps me relax/concentrate/forget” or “I’ll stop as soon as the pressure lets up”) justification, (“Everyone I know does it”) suppression or repression, (forcing down memories of using behavior and negative consequences as a result of that use and behavior) and one that sometimes gets overlooked, geographic escapes (my life is unmanageable – but it’ll get better if I move to another place.)


The text also offered some useful information in understanding the phenomenon of denial. On page 30 of the text Assessment of Addictive Behavior, Tarter, Alterman, & Edwards (1985); Tarter & Edwards (1986); Tarter, Hegedus, Goldstein Shelly, & Alterman (1984) suggest that “…neuropsychological deficits among alcoholics, particularly deficits in accurately perceiving internal cues of physiological arousal and emotion and in appraising the significance of environmental events, may underlie what has been described as ‘alcoholic denial’ ” (cited in Donovan & Marlatt 1998). In other words people may be so impaired from the damage heavy drinking causes on the brain they may not have the capacity to comprehend beyond their “denial reality.” In addition, on page 223 of Psychotherapy in Chemical Dependence Treatment, Rugel and Barry (1990) state, “denial is a way to defend against loss of self-esteem occasioned by negative public and self-valuation.” They go on to say, “Denial, therefore, may be a necessary step in the recovery process, required in order to defend the ego.” Interestingly, Rugel and Barry found that in groups where clients felt safe and supported enough early on in the treatment process to do self-exploration, a reduction in the need for the clients to erect denial defenses resulted. However, in groups where there was a big emphasis on the venting of powerful emotions of remorse and shame, via cathartic exercises, denial and defense mechanisms were reinforced (cited in Buelow & Buelow 1998). This is important information for those of us who may be providing substance abuse counseling to know, because we may need to be more sensitive to the techniques we introduce so as not to impede the counseling process for clients but rather enhance it.


As far as my thoughts are concerned, I agree with the class, in that, I believe denial is both a conscious and an unconscious characteristic of alcoholics and addicts. People may be consciously aware they have a problem but due to shame or guilt are unable or unwilling to admit it. While on the other hand fear may unconsciously push addicts into denial. Based on my four years of personal recovery and two years of providing substance abuse counseling, I have found that people who are afraid to face their problems often start practicing denial even before they are addicted but then as the addiction progresses, it causes its own problems. At which point the idea of facing reality can be so frightening and overwhelming people are unaware that underneath it all they have become addicts. This personal observation is congruent with Professor Charles-Heathers’ assertion that denial is most probable a cyclical dynamic whereby people may move through stages from low level denial, which may not have much in the way of consequences, to high level denial, which may affect a persons ability to function from day to day and lead to loss of relationships, children, jobs, freedom or worse…
Lastly, there are many strategies for addressing denial. Some of the suggested strategies by the class were life stories, family groups, self-assessments exercises, significant other interventions, building and establishing rapport and trust with the client, journaling, education, and self-disclosure. My final thoughts are this; denial is a defense mechanism that enables people to survive situations and abuses that they would not be able to otherwise tolerate. It also allows clients to be where they need to be until they are ready to face what it is that was previously pushed away or avoided. Facing a problem is the first step to solving it. I personally know that addiction is difficult to overcome alone. So, as counselors we are there to help clients face their problems not with judgment but with nurturing, respect, education, support, and encouragement. I have seen first hand the phenomenon of people moving from the paralysis of denial to the miracle of recovery by the simple act of someone believing in them.

References


Buelow, G. D., & Buelow, S. A. (1998). Psychotherapy in chemical dependence treatment: A practical and integrative approach. Pacific Grove, CA: Brooks/Cole.

Donovan, D. M., & Marlatt, G. A. (1998). Assessment of Addictive Behaviors. New Your, NY: Guilford Publications.

Steinmetz, S. (Ed.). (1997). Webster’s college dictionary (2nd ed.).
New York: Random House.

 
Overcoming Addiction: Addiction + Denial = Out of Control
By Angie Lewis 

My addiction used to control me. It overwhelmed the person inside of me, and I became a stranger to my family, and to myself. All I cared about was having another drink. All I thought about was where and when I was going to get my next drink. My mind was totally and completely absorbed within my addiction, and I didn’t even know it. I was proud, haughty and selfish. I was an alcoholic.

Do you have an addiction? Some of us overeat, over drink, smoke, look at porn, gamble, do drugs, or become abusive. We can even be addicted to our feelings. When we let our negative thoughts control us to do wrong, we are under the power of our thoughts and feelings. Addiction controls several aspects of our character that keep us from coming to our full potential. I know these things first hand; I have been there and done that.

Mentally the addiction affects the way we think and feel, and how we live our life. The addiction will literally stunt the growth process, and the addict will remain childish, selfish and insensitive to the needs of others. Psychologically the addict remains in denial, and will do just about anything to justify bad behavior to others while under the control of their addiction. Addicts are basically selfish people who only care about themselves even though they are real good at manipulating others into believing otherwise.

Emotionally the addiction makes the addict become overly defensive to anyone who tries to take away what he or she so desires. Addicts have a difficult time suppressing their negative emotions and are immature and childish. If they become too dependent on the addiction, they will justify reasons of why they think they are better people when abusing their substance of choice. Their low self-esteem keeps them very sensitive to how others feel about them. They are prone to finding faults in others to get any attention off of them.

Spiritually the addict is at a loss. He is desensitized to the spiritual self within him. The addiction keeps the addict from becoming the whole and complete person that God intended him to be. True potential is stunted. The addict does and says things that he normally wouldn’t if he were living his life without the neediness of addiction. The addict is missing out on so much in his life that he “wants and needs” too much, making him unable to give of himself.

In the days of my disease, I reveled in my negative feelings, denying my weakness and sins. My feelings literally fed my constant unhappiness. If I accepted the fact that God was my source for REAL happiness, I would have to admit my failings, something that a spiritually bankrupt person is unable to do. In essence, the addict desperately needs to have trust enough in God first to quit their addiction and then begin to grow out from the selfish aspect of their rebellious personality.

Alcohol and drug addiction affects the whole family. Family members are affected in different ways, especially the person who loves the addict and enables the addiction. This person is called the enabler because they sweep things under the rug, so to speak, pretending there isn’t a problem. Unfortunately, the enabler usually gets the brunt of the abuse from the addict because the addict expects so much from them. If the enabler doesn’t come through with the addict’s neediness and constant requests for things, the enabler had better watch out! The enabler is just as sick mentally, emotionally, and spiritually as the abuser. They both need help.

The enabler is the rescuer of the addicted person. As long as the problem is continually swept under the carpet by the enabler, the addiction will continue to progress further because no one believes there is a problem! Denying the problem exists runs rampant in homes where addiction is fed. The longer the addict continues to use, the worse it will be for everyone involved.

What happens to the person who is controlled by addiction? Many things take place, but some of the things that control the addict are not always apparent to anyone else. Usually what we notice first in the addict is the emotional imbalance of the mental and spiritual capacity, and the decline of health. But what isn't apparent about addiction is actually the most important element of who a person really is. And that is the lack of spiritual realism in the addicted person. He or she through their addiction denies the spiritual Christ to intervene within the framework of who they are. As long as the addicted person remains unspiritual they will remain a slave to their addiction. Unfortunately, it usually takes something very drastic and horrific to happen to the addict before they actually give up their addiction and ask God for forgiveness and help. This is called the “end of the addicts ropes”, or “bottom out effect.”

On the outside some addicts look like everyone else. They go to church, acknowledge God, raise families and have careers. But through all of this, they still lack the spiritual maturity and godly wisdom to realize the impact, and the consequences of their addiction. These things aren’t ‘t important to the addict. For the addict just being able to continue on with their lives without anyone realizing they have a problem gives the addict more justification and credibility for remaining in their addiction. They themselves remain in denial, talking them selves out of having a problem. They must bottom out! The setback with that is, the enabler keeps rescuing the addict’s behavior and so they never bottom out!

The addict one way or another must come to grips with his REAL source of who he is and with the potential of his existence. But if the addict is in denial, this is going to be difficult for him to do. The addict is usually a selfish and arrogant individual who hasn’t come to grips with who he or she is and so how can they know, understand, accept, and believe in their creator for guidance?

Enablers can do something to help the addict, but they’re afraid that it will somehow change the addict, or that the addict won’t love them anymore. In essence, the enabler needs to get help first, so he can then help the addict. The three main reasons the enabler keeps saving the addict is below. The three main reasons the addict can’t stop using are below.

(1)Fear = panic, trepidation, apprehension, terror, afraid of the unknown, etc (2)Denial = mentally refuse to believe, and emotionally refute, disclaimer, (3)Spiritual loss = proud, haughty, unbeliever, rebellious, arrogant, self-righteous,

The addiction takes hold of the mind with such force the addict is afraid to even think of living without the addiction. Addicts try to stop, but their bodies and mind tell them they can’t. They are filled with fear and terror at the thought of not getting their next fix, afraid they will not be able to cope in life, but this just isn’t so!

At first abstaining from an addiction that has controlled the mind, body, and soul for so long does make us feel insecure and self doubting, but the addict can endure and overcome those fears through the help of God. But first before any of this will have any real impact on the addict he must WANT TO QUIT THE ADDICTION!!

By trusting in what God says is true, you can believe in the power of Gods words to help guide you away from your fears and into God’s truth and love. God’s words are the addicts comfort and refuge. Gods breath-filled words, and spiritual presence over-powers evil and reveals the truth in the addict. The evil is the addiction, and God's loving kindness is stronger and more powerful than any addiction.

Alcoholics Anonymous teaches to believe in a higher power because addicts are powerless to change on their own. This statement is very true. Why do you think addicts quit for a while only to go back to it again? They thought they had enough strength and will power to quit on their own.

All scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness." 2 Timothy 3:15-16

When the addict feels scared, fearful, and insecure, or just plain weird in their body, they need to go to the scriptures. If they are tempted to go back to the addiction, they need to go to the scriptures, and ask for the Spirit of Jesus Christ to intervene for them in their temptation. They must trust in God with all their heart, mind and soul, and He WILL deliver them from the evils of addiction!

I know that God delivers people away from their addictions and sins, it happened to me! I prayed to God with all my heart and mind to guide me out of my addiction to alcohol. I also prayed that the craving for alcohol be taken from me for good. I have been sober for over twelve-years now, and I have not ONCE craved the desire to drink. As a matter of fact, when I see others abusing alcohol I feel so unpleasant inside, and deep sorrow for them because I know exactly how they are feeling, and what they are going through. It’s not good.

The addict has got to really want to stop his addiction before God will intervene. God wants to know that you are for Him and not against Him. When we abuse our minds day in and day out, we have no spiritual awareness to even acknowledge the existence of Him who created us! God wants you to acknowledge Him, and ask Him to help you overcome your addiction.

"I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes." Romans 1:16

Addicts are powerless without God! The Spirit of Christ is the stronghold to your future. It is the foundation for your life! Do you want to stop beating yourself up? Humble down your proud and arrogant ways. Let go of the old sinful selfish person to God. Let go of those heavy burdens. Believe in yourself and know what a better person you can become serving God without the weight of addiction upon your shoulders!

Come to Jesus Christ! "For I am the Lord, your God, who takes hold of your right hand and says to you, do not fear; I will help you.” Isaiah 41:13

"For God did not give us a Spirit of timidity, but a spirit of power, of love and self-discipline." 2 Timothy 1:7

Jesus Christ is the power that overcomes all things that hold us in bondage. The foundation of truth, wisdom, and love is our stronghold! Take a hold of it now and let addiction go for good!

EzineArticles Expert Author Angie Lewis

Copyright 2005 Angie Lewis

Author: Journey on the Roads Less Traveled http://www.spiritual.journeybooks.4t.com ISBN 1413788904 Writer for online Christian/spiritual ministry, Heaven Ministries. http://www.heavenministries.com

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