(559) 460-0715

Family Therapist
  • Home
  • About Me
  • Services
    • Anxiety
    • Depression
    • Relationship Problems
    • Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder
    • Postpartum Depression
  • Blog
    • 2016
    • 2017
    • 2018
    • 2019
    • 2020
    • 2021
  • Contact

How Families in Denial Think and Behave Regarding Substance Abuse

Nov 16, 2017

Families of addicts are in a difficult situation. They love someone who is lost due to a substance dependence. For many people, a natural way to protect themselves from pain is to avoid the truth. In these cases, it is imperative for everyone (or at least as many members as possible) into a competent therapy program. Convincing people that they need counseling is often challenging as loved ones who practice denial think and behave in specific ways that can hinder them from getting professional help. Here is some information about typical beliefs and actions of those who refuse to confront the drug abuse.
  • Some people ignore evidence of addiction in their loved one's life. They choose not to "see" changes in the person's personality and behaviors. They don't look for physical evidence such as drug paraphernalia and empty bottles. When they stumble upon them, choose to believe the articles belong to someone else or are "old" and not representative of the person's current state.
  • A family member will often rationalize when they are uncomfortable accepting that the person related to them is an actual addict. They choose to believe the situation is not overly serious and may say such things as "he drinks occasionally but doesn't get really drunk" or "she only smokes when she needs to relax." Minimizing an addiction fails to acknowledge the desperate need for action.
  • Family members who are in denial avoid conversations about the addiction. They become adept at shutting down any person who wants to discuss the issue. They often go out of their way to avoid the addict and those around him who might aspire to confront the addiction.
  • Denial often manifests itself in making excuses for the addict's behavior. They might claim the person is "sick", "confused" or "acting out" rather than drug addicted. They may attribute substance abuse to a phase or temporary coping measure that will resolve in time without specific action becoming necessary.
People often practice denial when they are afraid of confronting the fears, sadness and potential loss of having someone they love addicted to a substance. While this psychological buffer might initially provide comfort to the family, it is detrimental in getting the addict into a recovery program. In the long run, the addict's family also suffer because the denial keeps them from getting the professional counseling they need. Please contact us for information about family therapy.


Tags: Family Therapy, Fresno Therapist, Addiction Therapy, Substance Abuse
Category: Family Therapy

Loading Conversation

Next »
« Previous

Category List

PTSD (31)
Couples Counseling (34)
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (27)
Depression Counseling (43)
Anxiety Therapy (63)
Family Therapy (20)

Tag List

Fight Anxiety (1)
Adjustment Disorders (1)
EMDR Therapy (1)
Mental Health (2)
Loss (2)
Depression Cure (1)
Loving Your Spouse (1)
Anxiety and PTSD (1)
anxiety therapy in Fresno (1)
Benefits of Therapy (1)
Depression Help (2)
Depression Healing Solutions (1)
Supporting Your Partner (1)
Jodi Mitchell Therapist (1)
Anxiety Therapist (14)
PTSD Therapist (13)
Fresno Couples Counselor (4)
Acute Anxiety (1)
Depression Therapist (7)
CBT Teaching Techniques (1)
Art Therapy for Depression (1)
Covid-19 (1)
Anxiety Control (1)
Grounding Skills (1)
Narrative Therapy (1)
Therapy (1)
Anxiety Counselor (5)
Social Anxiety (1)
Nice Guy vs. Bad Boy (1)
Anxiety Attacks (1)
Reconcile Relationships (1)
Parent Relationship (1)
Holistic (1)
Fresno PTSD Therapy (4)
Minimize Anxiety (1)
new job stress (1)
Depressive Disorders (1)
Child Therapy (2)
Trauma (5)
PTSD and Trauma (2)
Move Forward (1)
Fresno Depression Counseling (1)
Fresno Anxiety Therapyy (1)
Counseling (4)
Serotonin (2)
PTSD Family Therapy (1)
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy Exercises (1)
Anxiety (27)
Handling Anxiety (1)
Alleviate Anxiety (1)
Change Thoughts (1)
Depressed (4)
Fresno Therapists (1)
Couple Counselor. Fresno Couples Counseling (1)
Marriage Counseling (3)
Fresno Couples Therapist (6)
Living with PTSD (1)
Teen Depression (1)
Depression Counseling Tips (1)
Fresno Counseling (15)
Anxiety Treatment (1)
PPD (1)
Postpartum Depression Relief (1)
Sadness (1)
Life Changes (1)
Successful Relationships (1)
Poetry (1)
Marriage Counselor (1)
Relieve Your Anxiety (1)
Panic Attacks (3)
Anxiety and Dating (1)
CBT (27)
Death Of A Child (1)
Psychology (1)
Working Together (1)
Family Counselor (1)
Depression Therapy (19)
Fresno CBT Therapy (1)
Anxiety Attack (1)
Couples Therapist (5)
How to Deal with Anxiety (1)
family stress (1)
Frantic Thoughts (1)
Individual Therapy (2)
Depression Counseling (23)
Reasons to Seek Counseling (1)
Your Mind (1)
Psychoanalysis (1)
Talk Therapy (1)
Relationship Counselor (2)
Addiction Therapy (2)
Spouse Who Suffers from Anxiety (1)
Re-building Relationships (1)
About Anxiety (1)
Fresno Anxiety Therapy (3)
Addiction (2)
First Responders (1)
Benefits of EMDR (1)
Teen Anxiety (1)
EMDR (1)
Fresno Therapist (77)
Toxic Relationships (1)
Depression Myths (1)
Cannabis (1)
Antidepressants (1)
Panic (3)
Relief from Anxiety (1)
Narrative Exposure Therapy (1)
Fresno Couples Therapy (1)
Couples Counseling (28)
Group Therapy (1)
Fresno Family Therapy (7)
Weight Loss (1)
Stress and Anxiety (1)
Fresno Depression Therapist (2)
Fresno Anxiety Counseling (3)
What is PTSD (2)
Fresno Family Therapist (6)
Child Anxiety Therapy (1)
Feel Better (1)
Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (3)
Help Anxiety (1)
Couples Counselin (1)
Family Therapy Options (1)
Counseling for Depression (3)
Treating Anxiety Disorders (1)
Pets Help Children with Anxiety (1)
Pandemic Struggles (1)
COVID19 (1)
Severe Anxiety (1)
Business Anxiety (1)
Growth and Healing (1)
Family Therapy (24)
Mindfulness-based Cognitive Therapy (1)
Cognitive Behavior Therapy (1)
Anxiety Disorders (2)
Beat Depression (1)
Fresno Depression Therapy (4)
PTSD Symptoms (1)
Stress (3)
Therapy Help (1)
Struggling with Anxiety (1)
Couples Communication (2)
Relationship Therapist (2)
Therapy and Depression (1)
Ecotherapy (1)
Coronavirus Stress (1)
Therapeutic Journaling (1)
Therapy Treatments (1)
Anxiety in Children (1)
Stress Relief (1)
Self-Talk (1)
Cognitive Behavioral Therapist (5)
Family Communication (2)
psychotherapy (2)
Have PTSD (1)
Couples Counselor (9)
Fresno Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (1)
Anxiety Symptoms (2)
Addiction Recovery (1)
Relationship Counseling (7)
Benefits of Couples Counseling (1)
Red Flags (1)
Anxiety Struggles (1)
Work Together (1)
Pets for Anxiety (1)
Fresno Depression Counselor (3)
Family Drama (1)
Fresno CBT Therapist (5)
Anxiety Therapy (41)
Seeking Guidance (1)
Starting a New Job (1)
Relationship Therapy (2)
Coping Mechanism (1)
Anxiety in Kids (1)
Depression Symptoms (1)
What is Ecotherapy (1)
Holiday Depression (1)
Therapy for Depression (1)
Depression Counselor (6)
Cognitive Therapy (1)
Blended Families (1)
Anxiety in Women (1)
Anxious (1)
A Partner with Anxiety (1)
Fresno CBT (2)
CBT Therapy (2)
Fresno Couples Counseling (5)
Trauma Therapist (1)
Banishing Anxiety (1)
PTSD (25)
Holiday Season Help (1)
Change (1)
Defeating Anxiety (2)
Dealing with Loss (3)
Fresno Anxiety Therapist (6)
Get Help (2)
Reduce Anxiety (2)
Racing Mind (1)
Young Adults and Anxiety (1)
Communication Classes (1)
Anxiety Therapis (1)
Corona Virus Anxiety (1)
MBCT (1)
Find a Depression Therapist (1)
communication (2)
Holiday Stress (3)
PTSD Help (2)
Pandemic Anxiety (1)
Body Image Induced Anxiety (1)
Risk of Suicide (1)
Bilateral Stimulation (1)
Substance Abuse (1)
PTSD Fresno Therapist (1)
Depression Questions (1)
post-traumatic stress disorder (3)
Dating Anxiety (2)
Healthy Lifestyle (1)
Fresno PTSD Therapist (5)
Fresno Anxiety Counselor (2)
Alleviating Anxiety (1)
therapy for anxiety (1)
Thinking Positively (1)
Counseling Help (1)
CBT Treatment (1)
Families with PTSD (1)
Overcoming Anxiety (1)
Self-care (1)
Grounding Techniques (1)
Depression (21)
Bankruptcy (1)
Therapy Tips (1)
Self-Quarantining (1)
CBT Benefits (1)
Relieving Your Anxiety (1)
Anxiety Help (7)
Manage Depression (1)
Workplace Anxiety (1)
Prioritizing Mental Health (1)
Family Therapist (7)
CBT Therapist (9)
CBT in Fresno (1)
Adopted Children (1)
Depression Tips (1)
Family Counseling (1)
Distressing Thoughts and Emotions (1)
PTSD Therapy (20)
Anxiety Counseling (20)
Anxiety and Depression Therapy (1)
Hygge (1)
Anxiety Tips (12)
Coping with Anxiety (4)
Loss of a Child (1)
PTSD Counseling (2)
New Moms (1)
Anxiety Relief (2)
relationships (2)
CBT Help (1)
Depression Healing (1)
Cognitive behavioral therapy (28)
Relationship Advice (1)
Alleviate Anxiety and Depression (1)
Suicidal Teen (1)
Fresno Therapy (14)
Grounding (1)
Relationship Anxiety (1)
Game Playing (1)
improve your relationship (1)
Trauma and PTSD (1)
Health and Counseling (1)
Dealing with Anxiety (1)
Adolescent Therapy (1)
Fresno Family Counseling (1)
Fresno Counselor (17)
Relationship Help (2)
Anxiety Help Methods (1)
Self-Care Tips for Teens (1)
Counseling Fresno (1)
Family Help (1)
Depression and Anxiety (1)
Major Depressive Disorder (1)
suffering from depression (1)
Trauma Therapy (1)
Panic Coping Tactics (1)
Couples Therapy (9)
Lifestyle Changes (1)
CBT Counselor (1)
Postpartum Depression (2)
Combatting Anxiety (1)
Battling Anxiety (1)

Tag Cloud

  • PTSD Counseling (2)
  • Counseling (4)
  • CBT Help (1)
  • Depressive Disorders (1)
  • CBT Therapy (2)
  • Feel Better (1)
  • Beat Depression (1)
  • Depression Counseling Tips (1)
  • Change Thoughts (1)
  • Self-Talk (1)
  • Suicidal Teen (1)
  • Fresno Family Therapist (6)
  • Grounding Techniques (1)
  • Seeking Guidance (1)
  • Mindfulness-based Cognitive Therapy (1)
  • Manage Depression (1)
  • Therapy (1)
  • PTSD and Trauma (2)
  • Covid-19 (1)
  • Anxiety Counseling (20)
  • Pandemic Anxiety (1)
  • Supporting Your Partner (1)
  • Marriage Counselor (1)
  • Family Counselor (1)
  • Successful Relationships (1)
  • Death Of A Child (1)
  • family stress (1)
  • Work Together (1)
  • Communication Classes (1)
  • Life Changes (1)
  • Anxiety in Children (1)
  • Holiday Stress (3)
  • PTSD Symptoms (1)
  • Fresno PTSD Therapist (5)
  • Struggling with Anxiety (1)
  • Trauma and PTSD (1)
  • Bankruptcy (1)
  • Defeating Anxiety (2)
  • Reconcile Relationships (1)
  • Fresno CBT Therapy (1)
  • Couples Counselin (1)
  • Relief from Anxiety (1)
  • Lifestyle Changes (1)
  • Fresno CBT Therapist (5)
  • Re-building Relationships (1)
  • Fresno Depression Therapy (4)
  • Find a Depression Therapist (1)
  • Depression Healing Solutions (1)
  • What is PTSD (2)
  • Anxiety Attacks (1)
  • Relieving Your Anxiety (1)
  • Serotonin (2)
  • Couple Counselor. Fresno Couples Counseling (1)
  • Fresno PTSD Therapy (4)
  • PPD (1)
  • Mental Health (2)
  • Depression Therapist (7)
  • Child Anxiety Therapy (1)
  • Depression Myths (1)
  • Families with PTSD (1)
  • Narrative Therapy (1)
  • Family Therapy Options (1)
  • Depression Tips (1)
  • Grounding (1)
  • Family Communication (2)
  • Coping with Anxiety (4)
  • Couples Communication (2)
  • Anxiety Therapist (14)
  • Dating Anxiety (2)
  • Panic Coping Tactics (1)
  • Anxiety Treatment (1)
  • Prioritizing Mental Health (1)
  • Fresno Therapist (77)
  • Fresno CBT (2)
  • Coping Mechanism (1)
  • Anxiety in Kids (1)
  • Therapy for Depression (1)
  • Antidepressants (1)
  • CBT Benefits (1)
  • Red Flags (1)
  • Therapy and Depression (1)
  • Depressed (4)
  • Pets Help Children with Anxiety (1)
  • Fresno Counseling (15)
  • Family Therapist (7)
  • Adolescent Therapy (1)
  • Couples Therapist (5)
  • Depression and Anxiety (1)
  • Loss (2)
  • Stress Relief (1)
  • How to Deal with Anxiety (1)
  • Fresno Anxiety Therapist (6)
  • Anxiety Therapy (41)
  • Workplace Anxiety (1)
  • Self-care (1)
  • Handling Anxiety (1)
  • Game Playing (1)
  • Anxiety and PTSD (1)
  • Fresno Family Therapy (7)
  • Anxiety Help (7)
  • Reasons to Seek Counseling (1)
  • Anxiety Tips (12)
  • Holiday Season Help (1)
  • Relationship Advice (1)
  • suffering from depression (1)
  • anxiety therapy in Fresno (1)
  • Fresno Family Counseling (1)
  • Working Together (1)
  • Hygge (1)
  • Overcoming Anxiety (1)
  • Young Adults and Anxiety (1)
  • Addiction Recovery (1)
  • Blended Families (1)
  • Depression Questions (1)
  • Fresno Couples Therapy (1)
  • MBCT (1)
  • CBT Counselor (1)
  • Anxiety Therapis (1)
  • Fresno Couples Counseling (5)
  • Fresno Anxiety Counselor (2)
  • Narrative Exposure Therapy (1)
  • Dealing with Loss (3)
  • Change (1)
  • Anxiety Attack (1)
  • Psychoanalysis (1)
  • Therapy Help (1)
  • Relationship Therapy (2)
  • CBT Treatment (1)
  • CBT in Fresno (1)
  • Cannabis (1)
  • post-traumatic stress disorder (3)
  • Depression Healing (1)
  • Addiction (2)
  • Major Depressive Disorder (1)
  • Pets for Anxiety (1)
  • Frantic Thoughts (1)
  • new job stress (1)
  • Adopted Children (1)
  • Addiction Therapy (2)
  • PTSD Fresno Therapist (1)
  • Child Therapy (2)
  • Relationship Counseling (7)
  • Couples Counselor (9)
  • Anxiety and Depression Therapy (1)
  • Couples Therapy (9)
  • Talk Therapy (1)
  • Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (3)
  • Family Help (1)
  • Therapeutic Journaling (1)
  • Depression Symptoms (1)
  • Help Anxiety (1)
  • Cognitive Behavioral Therapist (5)
  • Depression Cure (1)
  • Art Therapy for Depression (1)
  • Anxious (1)
  • New Moms (1)
  • Acute Anxiety (1)
  • Benefits of Couples Counseling (1)
  • Fresno Couples Therapist (6)
  • Cognitive behavioral therapy (28)
  • Fresno Depression Therapist (2)
  • Alleviating Anxiety (1)
  • Teen Anxiety (1)
  • Anxiety in Women (1)
  • Weight Loss (1)
  • Anxiety Counselor (5)
  • Sadness (1)
  • Self-Quarantining (1)
  • Counseling for Depression (3)
  • Anxiety Symptoms (2)
  • Cognitive Behavioral Therapy Exercises (1)
  • Anxiety Struggles (1)
  • PTSD (25)
  • Poetry (1)
  • Marriage Counseling (3)
  • Risk of Suicide (1)
  • PTSD Therapy (20)
  • Relationship Counselor (2)
  • Loving Your Spouse (1)
  • PTSD Help (2)
  • Body Image Induced Anxiety (1)
  • Counseling Fresno (1)
  • Fresno Anxiety Therapyy (1)
  • Grounding Skills (1)
  • Fight Anxiety (1)
  • Relieve Your Anxiety (1)
  • Postpartum Depression Relief (1)
  • Postpartum Depression (2)
  • Fresno Depression Counseling (1)
  • Depression Counselor (6)
  • Social Anxiety (1)
  • Cognitive Therapy (1)
  • What is Ecotherapy (1)
  • CBT Therapist (9)
  • Fresno Couples Counselor (4)
  • Anxiety (27)
  • About Anxiety (1)
  • Anxiety Help Methods (1)
  • Group Therapy (1)
  • Get Help (2)
  • Relationship Therapist (2)
  • Growth and Healing (1)
  • Parent Relationship (1)
  • Severe Anxiety (1)
  • Anxiety Disorders (2)
  • Anxiety Control (1)
  • Substance Abuse (1)
  • Healthy Lifestyle (1)
  • Toxic Relationships (1)
  • relationships (2)
  • First Responders (1)
  • therapy for anxiety (1)
  • communication (2)
  • Loss of a Child (1)
  • Your Mind (1)
  • Fresno Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (1)
  • PTSD Family Therapy (1)
  • Pandemic Struggles (1)
  • Nice Guy vs. Bad Boy (1)
  • Anxiety Relief (2)
  • Racing Mind (1)
  • Health and Counseling (1)
  • CBT Teaching Techniques (1)
  • Depression Help (2)
  • Trauma Therapy (1)
  • Panic (3)
  • psychotherapy (2)
  • Family Counseling (1)
  • Combatting Anxiety (1)
  • Fresno Anxiety Therapy (3)
  • Move Forward (1)
  • Alleviate Anxiety (1)
  • Panic Attacks (3)
  • Fresno Therapists (1)
  • Fresno Counselor (17)
  • Trauma Therapist (1)
  • EMDR Therapy (1)
  • improve your relationship (1)
  • Benefits of EMDR (1)
  • Stress (3)
  • Relationship Anxiety (1)
  • Stress and Anxiety (1)
  • Minimize Anxiety (1)
  • Therapy Treatments (1)
  • Fresno Depression Counselor (3)
  • Trauma (5)
  • Thinking Positively (1)
  • Coronavirus Stress (1)
  • Alleviate Anxiety and Depression (1)
  • CBT (27)
  • Dealing with Anxiety (1)
  • Treating Anxiety Disorders (1)
  • Holiday Depression (1)
  • Bilateral Stimulation (1)
  • PTSD Therapist (13)
  • Counseling Help (1)
  • Corona Virus Anxiety (1)
  • Fresno Therapy (14)
  • Holistic (1)
  • Reduce Anxiety (2)
  • Depression Counseling (23)
  • Self-Care Tips for Teens (1)
  • COVID19 (1)
  • Cognitive Behavior Therapy (1)
  • EMDR (1)
  • Distressing Thoughts and Emotions (1)
  • Teen Depression (1)
  • Anxiety and Dating (1)
  • Business Anxiety (1)
  • Living with PTSD (1)
  • Spouse Who Suffers from Anxiety (1)
  • Depression (21)
  • Therapy Tips (1)
  • Individual Therapy (2)
  • Relationship Help (2)
  • Banishing Anxiety (1)
  • Ecotherapy (1)
  • Jodi Mitchell Therapist (1)
  • Adjustment Disorders (1)
  • Depression Therapy (19)
  • Family Drama (1)
  • Fresno Anxiety Counseling (3)
  • Starting a New Job (1)
  • Psychology (1)
  • A Partner with Anxiety (1)
  • Couples Counseling (28)
  • Benefits of Therapy (1)
  • Battling Anxiety (1)
  • Family Therapy (24)
  • Have PTSD (1)
 

Archive

2019

  • Oct
  • Nov
  • Dec

2020

  • Jan
  • Feb
  • Mar
  • Apr
  • May
  • Jun
  • Jul
  • Aug
  • Sep
  • Oct
  • Nov
  • Dec

2021

  • Jan
  • Feb
  • Mar
  • Apr

Family counseling therapy for marriage, families, behavioral, depression & anxiety by a certified therapist serving:

  • Frenso
  • Kingsburg
  • Oakhurst
  • Vialia

Contact

  • (559) 460-0715
  • jodimitchellmft@gmail.com

©2025 Jodi Mitchell. All rights reserved.