If someone you love is dealing with addiction, it can be difficult to get them the help they need. They may be dealing with stigmas. They may think rehab will be too expensive. They may not want recovery to disrupt their lives, or they may just not want to get better. 

But often, an addict will refuse to get help because they are in denial. They may not think they have a problem, or they may not think their problem is that bad. They feel they have everything under control.

It’s important to be familiar with the signs of an addict in denial so you can determine when someone needs help but is refusing to admit it. Here are some things to look out for. 

The Signs of Addiction

Signs of addiction are the first things to look for if you think someone close to you needs help. 

An addiction typically starts when a user begins to build tolerance to drug. They will need to take higher doses to get the same effect. 

In time, they may also start experiencing withdrawal symptoms when the drug is not in their system. These manifest as flulike symptoms and users know the only way to ‘cure’ them is to do more drugs.  

Other signs of addiction include:

• Mood swings
• Troubled relationships
• Withdrawal from society
• Inability to enjoy the things you once loved
• Financial difficulties
• The development of health conditions
• Legal issues

Signs of an Addict in Denial

The signs of an addict in denial are as follows:

Blame: The addict will blame outside circumstances to justify their need to do drugs. They may say they are dealing with stress, or they may say that the people around them are nagging them and causing them to continue their habit. 

Rationalizing Harmful Behavior: Users may rationalize harmful behavior by saying that they need to take the drug to cope with an unpleasant situation. 

Avoidance: Many addicts simply avoid the fact that they have a problem. They may say they can quit anytime they want to, or they may say they have the problem under control even though this is the furthest thing from the truth. 

Lying: Many addicts lie about the amount of drugs they have done. They also may say they are about to quit even though they have no intention of doing so. 

Comparing Themselves to Others: It is not uncommon for users to compare themselves favorably to others. For example, they may say, ‘I’m not as bad as so and so’ to try to make themselves look better. 

How To Get Your Loved One Help With Addiction Today

If you are dealing with a loved one in denial about their addiction, it can be hard to get them the help they need. It’s important not to argue their points or tell them that they are lying or being irrational. Rather, you should show them that you care and how much better you would feel if they got help. 

There are many rehab facilities that offer help for addiction, but Prevail Recovery takes an approach that sets us apart. 

Prevail recovery is located in the lovely city of sunny Fort Lauderdale, FL. We analyze each patient that comes through our door to determine a treatment plan that is best suited to their individual needs. We provide partial hospitalization, intensive outpatient, and outpatient programs. 

Addiction is not easy to overcome, and it can be especially difficult if the person you are dealing with is in denial. Prevail Recovery will give you the assistance you need to help your loved one get clean. Call us to find out how the people in your life can move forward with a happier and healthier existence.