Angie Lewis

Denial Leads The Addict Further Into Addiction – How You Can Help



Posted: Thursday, January 24, 2008

by
Heaven Ministries

Our minds are powerful elements; so powerful are our thoughts and beliefs that they will actually lead us astray in many areas of our life. Take the idea of denial for a moment, mix that in with an addiction, and what do you think is going to happen? That's right, the addict will slowly creep further into their addiction, all the while listening to that powerful inner voice telling them they don't have a problem.

Ironically, the addict never has a problem only the people who live with them, or who love them, or who are around them on a consistent basis have a problem. It leaves me in awe because addicts in denial really believe this. Their mind works in such a way that they do not "understand" or "know" themselves, they only think they know the people around them. And this is precisely why "loved ones" of addicts seem to get the brunt of the mood swings and unloving ways.

But there is a big problem with this picture because for the addict, acknowledging they have a problem is the first step towards recovery. Only when they admit they have an addiction will they begin to explore the possibilities of wellness. But here is the problem with that. Addicts enjoy their substance of abuse so much that they keep telling themselves they can quit at any time and that they don't have an addiction. How can the addict come out from their denial and realize they have a problem?

Coming from an alcoholic background and abusing alcohol myself in the past, I can honestly say that usually something drastic has to happen to the addict before they will own up to having a problem. But by then, it may be too late. Too late to repair relationships, marriages, families, and revive lost lives. It may be too late for the past, but that does not mean that an addict cannot get healed and then repair the past the best they can, right?

Not all addicts have to bottom out before they become aware to the fact they have a problem, but in most instances they do. So knowing this, what can the loved one of an addict do to help the addict come to the realization of their problem without the addict falling head first in the mud and maybe destroying more lives in the process?

Stop Rescuing The Addict

I can think of seven ways just off the top of my head on how a wife helps her alcoholic husband to drink.

1. She lies to the children about him

2. She helps him to bed

3. She takes over, most of, if not all of, his responsibilities

4. She calls the boss and makes excuses for him

5. She pays the bills

6. She bonds him out of jail

7. She basically has become a mother to a ten-year old

Hint* To help your husband come out of denial before he hurts himself or someone else in the process is to STOP DOING EVERYTHING FOR HIM. And if your children are above the age of ten-years old, I suggest you talk to them about their dad's addiction before they begin to hate him for his inappropriate and or misplaced emotions charged upon them when he is drinking.

Detach From The Addict

I can think of five ways right off the top of my head on how a wife stays attached to the emotional problems of her husband addiction to pornography

  • She believes it has something to do with her husband not finding her attractive
  • She constantly scans the history on the computer to see if her husband looked at porn that day
  • She looks at porn with him and then feels guilty about it
  • She begins to flirt with other men
  • She starts to feel negative thoughts about her husband because she cannot distinguish the addict from the person she married
    • Hint* Porn addiction, just like any other addiction is a compulsion to do something to help relieve emotional strain and calamity within the addict. Once the addict gets to the "root" of the underlying issue that is affecting them, they can begin healing and will not need the addiction any longer.

    Stop Helping The Addict To Drink

    I can think of five ways in which a husband would help his wife to drink. Remember that helping (enabling) is different than rescuing.

  • He is in denial with his wife
  • He drinks with the addict
  • He buys alcohol for his wife
  • He gets emotional and angry with the addict when she is drunk
  • He complains about her drunkenness by calling her names
    • Hint* anytime you become emotionally involved in a negative way with an addict, it becomes apparent to the addict that YOU are the one with the problem. It is always best to remain detached and aloof to the antics of the alcoholic, even if they are hurting you. Never call names, curse, get overly emotional, or become angry over what the addict does. You can help your loved one- be a good influence on them.

    ***

    Angie Lewis is the author of three marriage books offering marriage tips and wisdom filled answers tackling such issues as addiction, adultery, pornography, emotions, beliefs, feelings, marriage, children, forgiveness, communication, submission and spiritual influence in the home.

    Do you love an alcoholic? Do you feel trapped with the alcoholic? Do you feel like you are married to a Jekyl and Hyde? You're not alone. You can break free when you stop trying to rescue the alcoholic and rescue you instead! See the chapter preview at Lulu. THE ALCOHOLISM TRAP!

    To preview these books go here: http://www.lulu.com/AngieLewis/

    Angie's marriage ministry: http://www.heavenministries.com/

    Angie and Frank Lewis created Heaven Ministries, a healing and restoration marriage ministry. Heaven Ministries ~ Marriage Healing Ministry What is God's design for marriage. What is God's plan for you and your marriage?

    Angie and Frank also created a new ministry geared to single Christians about scriptural romance and Godly courtship. Do you know what God's plan is for you in the romance department? Heaven Ministries ~ Scriptural Romance in Preparation to Marriage
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    Top-level comments on this article: (2 total)
    » left by LeahG Artist
     3 years 349 days ago.
    192 fans. Follow LeahG Artist on twitter!
    A powerful article Angie
    » left by Teresa Matthews from Ocoee, Florida 3 years 70 days ago.
    My husband is in such denial about porn that I can't talk about the subject at all without him getting defensive. He sells sex toys he invented so that helps him stay in porn. Yes, he blames for as I'm crazy, not a good cook , don't clean house good, etc. I also doesn't believe in God so what hope do I really have. I've told him that without disclosure the issue will keep coming up but he just keeps asking why I have to bring up the same questions all the time. He said he has answered all my questions five hundred times but all I really get is indirect answers. Now he tells me that he never really masterbated to the internet but just told me that. I'm not even sure if divorce will be his bottom as I have already told him I take all the blame and he needs someone better than me. Teresa in Florida
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