Why Codependents Use Denial as a Defense Mechanism

As addiction takes on a life of its own and constructs the self and the false world in which the individual now lives, it seeks its own preservation and progress. The individual uses their convoluted logic to manipulate those Alcoholism and Denial trying to help them. Using sarcasm, playing the victim, or even distracting the hapless friend or parent with runaround answers or changing the subject, the individual has once again taken the focus away from his addiction.

With a one-way analysis of variance , the intensity of the psychopathological symptoms presented in the three clusters was compared . Further analysis using the Tukey post hoc test showed the level of significance of differences between the three clusters of alcohol-dependent individuals in the intensity of their psychopathological symptoms . All the defense mechanisms are only there to achieve addiction’s goals. As the addiction and rationalization grow, with each additional defense mechanism, it’s almost as if the addiction is making sure that the person is well-versed in the use of each one.

Threatened Emotional Security

These are all signs you’re using regression as part of your defense mechanisms. A person’s mind may resort to defense mechanisms to deal with stress. Defense mechanisms can be positive ways to deal with stress.

As a natural human instinct, people try to protect their emotional security. Sometimes, when an event threatens people or scares them, these emotions can be shoved to the side as a coping mechanism. Without even realizing it, people can fall into denial due to a natural protection mechanism. Do you have emotional outbursts that involve crying, shouting or throwing tantrums? Do you get overwhelmed during a confrontation and feel yourself shut down?

Denial

Defense mechanisms are strategies that people use to cope with distressing feelings. In the case of denial, it can involve not acknowledging reality or denying the consequences of that reality. The following are common defense mechanisms people use when addicted to drugs or alcohol to keep the person addicted. When it comes to chemical dependency, some defense mechanisms that addicts use are rationalization, denial, minimization and projection. Most people who are chemically dependent don’t even realize that they use these behaviors as a defense.

• Differences between intensity of psychopathological symptoms in the three clusters.
• She graduated from Palm Beach State College in 2016 with additional education in Salesforce University programs.
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• Process the information the client has given you so you can easily point out his or her denial patterns at a later time.
• Denying a problem exists allows the individual to continue engaging in destructive behavior without addressing the problem.

There are many forms of anger to include authentic anger and toxic anger. Embarrassment is an emotional state a person experiences upon having a socially or professionally unacceptable act or condition witnessed or revealed to others. I recognize these patterns not only in my counseling, but also in personal self-evaluation. Awareness of the different types of denial and knowing how to illustrate how we use denial, is very beneficial when working with clients. The result of an addicted person not dealing with denial is devastating.

Clearbrook Manor – Pennsylvania Drug and Alcohol Treatment Center

But there is no way for him to ever hit bottom when it’s always covered with pillows. There areself-assessmentsthat can help you determine if you have been enabling an alcoholic. Honesty is often the first thing to go in the course of alcohol use disorder. Verywell Mind articles are reviewed by board-certified physicians and mental healthcare professionals. Medical Reviewers confirm the content is thorough and accurate, reflecting the latest evidence-based research.