Scale of Denial in Addiction
Getting Someone Through Denial
Denial is often quite known to anyone who deals with a substance abuser. Others may not be aware that an addicted person would refuse to admit their difficulty. Normally, due to the nature of some substances, the person’s ability to recognize the ongoing downward spiral is compromised, and they simply do not see a problem.
But if one looks closely, one can observe the existence of a scale of denial. Anyone struggling with some mind-altering substance will go through specific stages when approached.
What is this Scale of Denial
Most addicted people are under the influence of a chemical substance regularly. And each one is somewhere on this scale. How do they perceive it, if at all? It can be summed up as a scale of agreement or reality concerning their abuse. At the lowest level, the person is Unresponsive. At a higher level, the person will be in Disagreement. A bit higher again, one will see Indecision. Finally, as the person arrives at the highest point, you will find them in Agreement.
Unresponsive Person
Getting Someone Through Denial
One way to assist a person addicted to drugs or alcohol into accepting your help is to spot them on this scale.
For instance, if someone using drugs is unresponsive, they do not even pay attention to what you are saying or doing. Their only interest is in the next fix, score, or bottle. One option to get their attention is to become “real” to them.
You can achieve this by being interested in drugs or alcohol and what it does for the person. Get them to tell you what is desirable about it without judgment. That action will establish a dialogue, and you will be well on your way to getting the person through denial. But it may take some time before the person actually opens up. Just continue and get their perspective.
Getting Someone Through Denial
Getting to the Next Step
Once an exchange on a subject exists and the person responds to you, keep it going. After this exchange is well established, you can add comments on their quality of life always without judgment. Eventually, you will run into the person’s disagreements. You’re doing good; the person is one level up. You are now on the Disagreement level.
The disagreements can go on for some time. “I don’t need help,” “I don’t have a problem,” “It’s not that bad,” or “I’m not an addict,” etc. All of which are simply disagreements. Acknowledge and continue to bring up their quality of life, always without judgment.
The Level of Indecision in Addiction
In getting someone through denial, you will witness the person starting to speak in other terms, like; “I don’t know” or “well, maybe I…” and “but I am not sure if…” and any other statement that shows indecision.
You are now on the next level up on the scale of denial. It’s “I will, I will not,” “I can but cannot,” in any combination of “maybes,” is indecision. It can also include conditionals like “if I do it, maybe I could….” As you continue to talk with this person, you will, sometimes rapidly and often over days or weeks, get them to the next level, Agreement.
Final Stage on the Scale of Denial, Agreement
Agreement is the point where the person can recognize that they need to do something about the condition. And this is the point that all your work has led up to. However, this level will not show very openly. It often comes a bit disguised in such statements as: “I do need to do something,” “I can’t go on this way,” or “your right; things could be better.” They may state their agreement straight out, like, “I need rehab.” No matter how the person says it, it is the level of agreement. They will voice a request to want to change things in their life. Then you contact our addiction referral counsellors or any other reference agent.
Support and Encourage
You can and should, whenever possible, get them in contact with the referral counsellor or facility you chose. Having the person do this action puts them in control and responsible for their life decisions. Be there to support, encourage and validate their decision. The intake counsellor or referral counsellor will do the rest. Keep practicing the scale of denial, and you can save other lives.
Marc J. Bernard
Author,
Substance Use Disorder & Recovery Professional,
Referral & Consultation Counsellor
