How to Cope With a Partner's Addiction Denial

Described as an unconscious defense mechanism, denial of a drug addiction becomes a barrier toward recovery. Cope with a partner's addiction denial by helping him tackle his defense mechanism. In other words, he must confront his denial to begin the recovery process. The following steps support people whose loved ones abuse alcohol or drugs. Contemplate these suggestions to deal with dependency denial.

Difficulty: Moderately Challenging

Instructions

1. Understand why people deny their addictions. Know that most people want to avoid feeling helpless. Rather than deal with an out-of-control circumstance, an addict blames everyone or everything else except the drug for his problem. In addition, some abusers use their drug to hide other issues such as financial or relationship challenges. Stopping a drug means an addict must start dealing with issues that he usually hides.

2. Realize that some abusers use drugs to paralyze pain from past traumas. For instance, sources say the majority of addicts suffered physical or emotional abuse in younger years and abuse drugs as a coping mechanism. Nonetheless, help a partner face up to past traumas in order to begin recovery.

3. Use the "love the addict, hate the addiction" approach to handle a partner's denial. Drug abusers not only affect themselves but also the lives of others around them. Read books that focus on ways to embrace someone who inflicts pain upon himself and those who love him.

4. Seek professional assistance. Join forces with licensed, trained professionals who have experience dealing with abusers who are in denial. Connect with support groups and other family members who share similar hardships. Learn from their experiences and offer personalized coping tools.

Who Can Help Sponsored

• How to Lose 30+lbs Guaranteed. Try it Free.