One of the most frustrating problems in dealing with addiction, says About Guide BuddyT, is denial. Denial becomes a means of self-defense. First of all, to admit to a problem means that the person must give up the drug that they have come to depend upon to cope with their pain. Giving up alcohol or drugs may represent many painful consequences to the addicted: battles with insomnia, renewed difficulty in social situations, facing up to denied troubles, or even withdrawal symptoms. If the addiction has been going on for some time, the recovering addict may be left not knowing how to relate to the people in his life as a sober person. He may fear that his friends will not like him if he is not the "life of the party" anymore.
Perhaps the second most difficult factor is the issue of codependency. Each time the drug or alcohol dependent person falters, a well-meaning friend or family member steps in the cushion his fall. "I can't let him lose his job." or "How can I let him go to jail?" become frequent refrains. Because the addicted person is not allowed to face up to the consequences of his actions, he is able to keep up his self-delusion of normalcy.
The first and most important step to getting well is always to admit that a problem does indeed exist. This important step must occur both for the addicted person and for the codependent. The steps toward recovery are not easy by any means. It takes tremendous courage to let go of the self-medication crutch and admit that one needs help. It can, however, be a very liberating experience to take those first baby steps towards regaining one's life.
