Signs of Addiction Denial

Addiction is a brain disease characterized by compulsive behaviors that continue despite harmful or negative consequences. Usually, people envision drug or alcohol use when they think about addiction. However, addiction can include a variety of behaviors, including other forms of substance use, gambling, and sexual fantasies, urges, and actions.

People living with addiction may deny their behavior. This article explores the signs of addiction denial and when to seek help.

What Is Denial?

Denial is a defense mechanism. It is a means of coping with anxiety-provoking or distressing thoughts or emotions. When it's difficult to accept information about oneself or the world, denial can serve as a way to distort or downplay the truth, keeping a person from facing reality. 

Denial can persist for short or long periods and looks different for everyone. However, as addictive behaviors become more disruptive to a person’s life, it can be harder to deceive oneself and others and ignore what is happening.

Stages of Denial

There are several theories on denial, but one of the ways healthcare providers view it is through the stages of change model. These include:

• Precontemplation
• Contemplation
• Preparation
• Action
• Maintenance
• Relapse prevention

In the pre-contemplation stage, someone may not view themselves as having an addiction or be willing to evaluate their actions (denial). As the behavior continues, a person may begin to reckon with the idea that there may be a problem (contemplation).

Finally, a person moves from denial to accepting their addiction when they recognize the issue and are mobilized to change it.

Signs

Signs of denial may include but are not limited to:

• Hiding or lying about addictive behaviors
• Rationalizing their behavior
• Blaming others for their actions
• Minimizing the impact of consequences for themselves or others
• Continued involvement in behaviors despite disruption to life or serious consequences
• Inability to be honest with themselves about their behavior

Causes

The following factors can lead to the development of addictive behaviors:

• Stressful situations
• Traumatic events
  
• Family history
• Changes in the brain’s reward system and circuitry, which can lead to impulse control issues
  

Genetics also increase the chances of developing addiction. Heritability rates can be 50% or more in family members with alcohol or opioid use.

Environmental factors such as access, social pressure, and lack of coping can also increase the likelihood of addiction.

Depression and Addiction

Depression can fuel addiction denial by causing low emotions, unhelpful thoughts, avoidance, or escape mechanisms. These can perpetuate feelings of denial by prohibiting someone from examining their addictive behavior and addressing the issue head-on.

This can become a vicious cycle in the sense that depression and addiction can exacerbate each other.

When to Talk to Your Healthcare Provider

Initiating a conversation with your healthcare provider can be the first step to getting support for addiction. Signs that it may be time to reach out include:

• Worrying that you may be addicted to a substance or other behavior
• Symptoms of withdrawal after stopping use of a substance
• Negative consequences at home, work, or school
• Preoccupation with thoughts of using or planning to use
• Acting without regard for safety or consequences for yourself or others
• Excessive use of substances
• Risky behavior or dangerous consequences with use
• Emotions such as guilt or shame
• Anxiety, depression, or suicidal thoughts

Withdrawal symptoms can be dangerous. For those dependent on a substance, talking to a healthcare provider is the best way to develop a plan for detoxing safely.

Summary

A person may consciously or unconsciously engage in addiction denial because they are struggling to accept the reality of their behavior. It is possible to move past denial. Recognizing signs in yourself or loved ones can initiate the process of recovery. Help is available through various sources, including talking to a healthcare provider, mental health or substance use professional, and support groups.

A Word From Verywell

While addiction denial may seem like a method of protecting yourself from hard truths about your behavior, continued denial can be harmful. If you’re struggling with addiction or addiction denial, reflecting on your behavior and approaching yourself with honesty and compassion can help you begin the process of recovery. Acknowledgment and acceptance are essential to that process.