7 Lies Lying Addicts Use to Justify Their Behavior and How Loved Ones Can Help
7 Lies Lying Addicts – Addicts lie. They lie to their boss, their friends, their family, and most importantly – to themselves. Addicts lie to protect themselves from the painful truth — that drinking or drug abuse is no longer under their control. No one likes to admit that they have lost their willpower, but that is what happens with addiction.
The number of addicts in America continues to increase. Currently, there are an estimated 24.6 million people aged 12 years and over with addiction problems, or about 9.4 percent of the population. Chances are someone you know and love is a substance abuser and needs treatment.
However, talking to them about their problems can be a wasted exercise. Denial, obstruction, and blatant lies are all part of the way addicts refuse to admit the truth: That they can\’t stop using addictive substances.
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The addict\’s entire existence revolves around their next hit. They will do anything to avoid feeling withdrawn. To protect themselves from realizing the danger their actions cause themselves and others, and to provide rationalization for the next blow, they convince themselves of the lies they repeat.
The lies addicts tell themselves are many. Reading a list of lies that addicts tell themselves will help you better understand how sneaky and deceptive alcohol or drugs can be for an addict. These substances change what is wrong into what is right and what is right into what is wrong.
With treatment, addicts can recover, but until they recover, the lies the addict is telling can be summed up as follows. Admitting you have an addiction is the first step to recovery. This is also probably the most difficult. This opens the door to the possibility that your behavior is irrational, destructive, and dangerous. Many people take a long time to reach the conclusion that they have an addiction.
They may deny it until they are in the hospital with liver failure or in prison for a DUI. This can be the hardest thing to say, but also the best thing to say because it is the first step to getting help.
Here are 7 of the most common lies addicts use to justify their habit.
1. I’m not addicted
Usually drug addicts often say the sentence, \”I\’m not addicted.\” They might say, “Well, I just like to drink” or, “I only drink occasionally.” This phrase is a rationalization for the fact that they cannot stop when they want to and that they feel compelled to continue abusing substances despite the negative consequences to their health, well-being, and relationships.
Admitting you have an addiction is the first step to recovery. This is also probably the most difficult. This opens the door to the possibility that your behavior is irrational, destructive, and dangerous.
Many people take a long time to reach the conclusion that they have an addiction. They may deny it until they are in the hospital with liver failure or in prison for a DUI. This can be the hardest thing to say, but also the best thing to say because it is the first step to getting help.
2. My Addiction Only Affects Me
The 2nd most common lie among addicts is that they believe that their addiction does not affect other people. Even though they can see their loved ones hurt and confused, they choose to deny the experience. Instead, they view their loved ones as opponents trying to control the way they live their lives. They usually think that worry is control and end up making statements like I would use drugs if I wanted to.
3. I can stop anytime I want to.
Addicts become trapped in denial and lose their ability to think logically. Someone who says they want to continue to abuse the substance, even though it has severe negative consequences in their life is completely in denial.
These are the kind of people who may lose their jobs, destroy their relationships and face legal problems because of their addiction, but they say they can quit if they want to, it\’s just that they don\’t want to.
You may hope this is true, or you may still feel that it is. However, unless you have proven that you can successfully stop using drugs or alcohol without cravings or withdrawal symptoms, you can\’t really quit whenever you want.
The main sign of addiction is that substance abusers are unable to stop using despite their best intentions. It had nothing to do with will or strength of character. The body itself changes as it adapts to alcohol and drugs, setting up a series of chemicals that cause physical craving and withdrawal.
Psychologically, your mind also craves drugs and alcohol for various reasons. These reasons don\’t go away on their own, and persist even if you try to quit. Without addressing these reasons in recovery, you are still vulnerable to restarting your habits.
Quitting whenever you want to quit is a myth that many addicts continue to believe and the lies they tell themselves to justify their drinking and drug habits.
If they feel like they can stop at will, then it\’s okay to continue, they told themselves. Unfortunately, by then it is often too late to quit voluntarily.
4. It hasn’t changed me at all.
Addicts often use this as an excuse to offset comments that their personalities have changed since substance abuse has taken over their lives.
Unfortunately, few of us have the self-knowledge to see how we have changed over time, for better or for worse. Drugs and alcohol alter mood and perception. This in turn changes personality, which does change the way you act and behave.
This attitude is usually done because they do not want to be judged as an addict so they try to convince family, friends and even themselves that their behavior by using drugs is justified.
5. I can still do what I’ve always done.
Like the lie about quitting at any time, addicts tell themselves that they can still do the same activities they always did even when substance abuse has damaged their health. They may not be aware of the impact that alcohol and substance abuse can have on their mental and physical health.
Substance abuse takes over a person\’s life to the point where they no longer exercise, get enough sleep or eat a healthy diet. All of this reduces a person\’s ability to think clearly and participate in many of the activities they once enjoyed.
6. Everyone Else is Doing it
While other people may have an occasional drink, or a few drinks and call it normal, certainly not everyone experiences the same consequences as an addict.
Addicts tend to compare themselves to others when they see them drinking among friends, which causes them to want to overdo it and get drunk to the point of losing control. Addicts can\’t stop after drinking and won\’t stop doing it.
7. I’m under a lot of stress
There are many ways you can relax and release stress without drugs or alcohol. Lies alcoholics tell, along with lies that drug addicts tell, include excusing their behavior with stress, an event, anniversaries or anniversaries, or anything else to give themselves a reason to take their substance.
If you find you can\’t rest and relax except with drugs and alcohol, you have more problems than simple stress.
While substances like alcohol can initially make you feel relaxed and sleepy, over time, the bouncing effect of your neurotransmitters can make you feel more tense and tired than before. Most drugs have a boomerang effect, causing even more stress when the drug wears off and the urge to eat more begins.
Using drugs or alcohol as an excuse to relax is a common lie that addicts tell themselves. Learning new and healthier ways to relax is critical to recovery.
What Can You Do To Help?
The reasons above are just a few of the many lies that addicts use to justify their behavior and continue substance abuse. The only way an addict can stop justifying their behavior and seek the treatment they need is to see the reality of their situation.
Loved ones must stand tall and not accept the lies that addicts use. While lying is common with addiction, loved ones can help by making the person aware of their actions in real time, refusing to help or allowing, intervening and contacting an addiction rehabilitation center.
Addiction treatment programs provide addicts with the right environment to receive the help they need. It is ideal to find a program that includes Attention-Based Therapy, such as Attention-Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT), which is a cutting-edge method that can significantly improve a person\’s life by enabling them to recognize and change harmful thought patterns and regain control of their thoughts, which reduce automatic reactions.
