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

Tag List

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

Tag Cloud

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