(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

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

Tag List

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

Tag Cloud

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