(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

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

Tag List

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

Tag Cloud

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

Archive

2019

  • Aug
  • Sep
  • 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.