(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

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

Tag List

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

Tag Cloud

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