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The Incredible Power of Denial
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DENIAL



A LEARNED BEHAVIOR WHICH HELPS US HIDE FROM FEELINGS







(D)ON'T







(E)VEN







K(N)OW







(I)







(A)M







(L)YING (TO YOU OR MYSELF)



DENIAL'S VARIOUS FACES


** Blaming others for any set of consequences usually constitutes Denial.
** Denial keeps all addicts in their addictions.


Defense Mechanisms

1. Rationalizing - I don't drink/use every day, I don't have a problem.
2. Minimizing - I don't drink/use half of what Sam drinks.
3. Cockiness - I got it made, these other folks are losers.
4. Justifying - If you had a wife/husband like mine, you would drink/use too.
5. Projecting - You always manipulate to get what you want.
6. Blaming - You drove me to drink/use. It is my job stress.
7. Humor - This isn't serious. Life is a joke.
8. Intellectualizing - Research shows I'm probably not an alcoholic/addict.
9. Lying - I only had a couple of beers, maybe three.
10. Manipulation - If you quit bitching, I'll quit drinking/using.
11. Accusing - Your fooling around keeps me drinking/using.
12. Threatening - Get off my back or you will be sorry!
13. Judging - If you did this or that right, things wouldn't be so bad.
14. Explaining - Oh, I drink/use because I . . .
15. Analyzing - I started drinking more because of ____, it will slow down later.
16. Arguing - I'm not an alcoholic, I've never gotten a DWI or . . .
17. Defiance - I dare you to prove that I'm an alcoholic/addict.
18. Withdrawing - If I don't do or say anything, they will leave me alone.
19. Shouting - Leave me alone, I don't want to talk about it!
20. Silence -
21. Smiling - Just laugh it off. Nervous smile.
22. Compliance - I just do and say what they want


Copyright 2004, Botswana Alcohol Aids Project - Jim MacDonald Webmaster. Contact Jim at djm@paonline.com