When facing substance use disorder, the realization that one has a problem with alcohol or drugs does not come quickly. The telltale signs may have been present for quite some time, but the disorder is camouflaged. To an outsider looking in, it can resemble many other ailments or problems, making it challenging to discern the true nature of the struggle. Someone with substance use disorder may attribute the signs to countless other factors or difficulties.

Defense mechanisms allow people to dismiss substance use disorder as the problem, even in the face of apparent destructive drinking patterns. Before even identifying an alcohol or drug problem, most people with substance use disorder make countless attempts, with a variety of different strategies and methods, to regain control. People with substance use disorder, despite those attempts, eventually realize the harsh truth: consistent control over their drinking or drug use eludes them, and their lives are unmanageable. At this pivotal juncture, they decide "to quit."

Ironically, the decision to quit is not always the catalyst for recovery. Many individuals believe that merely desiring to stop drinking or using drugs is sufficient to achieve abstinence. For a select few, this may be true, but for most people with a moderate or severe substance abuse disorder, the belief that "I can quit any time" is another example of a worn-out defense mechanism. Holding on to defenses that justify maintaining the status quo perpetuates behaviors that impede the transition to recovery. Take note of the following counter-productive behaviors:

Continuing to Socialize with Drinking and Drug-using Friends:

Those with substance use disorder may persist in keeping the company of their drinking and drug-using friends, convinced that they can be around mood-altering chemicals without succumbing to temptation. This situation presents grave risks to the success of initial efforts at abstinence.

Substituting One Substance for Another:

Some individuals convince themselves that their specific drug is the root of their problem. They believe that by switching to a different substance, they can circumvent the negative consequences. Switching drugs of choice leads to cross-addiction and more negative consequences.

Handicapping Professional Help:

They may attribute their struggles to depression or anxiety and seek counseling or psychiatry. Fearing judgment or not wanting to confront all their issues, they may conceal their drinking or drug use issue, leaving it unaddressed. They may seek a pharmacological solution to problems other than substance use disorder and believe it will quell their drinking or drug use. Not being honest with helping professionals undermines any help you might receive. Mixing mood-altering drugs, including prescription drugs and alcohol, can be dangerous.

Relocating to Start Anew:

Individuals grappling with substance use disorder may perceive their friends as the catalyst for their struggles. They may opt to relocate in pursuit of a clean slate free from drug-related associations. However, while distancing oneself from environments that facilitate continued substance use can be beneficial, relying solely on "geographical cures" is often ineffective. Regardless of location, cues and triggers persist, and the most significant trigger, oneself, inevitably accompanies the individual.

Surrendering Control to Others:

Some people get desperate enough to willingly hand over control of their drugs or money to someone else. The power and intensity of cravings lead them to a power struggle over that very control.

Establishing Short-Term Goals:

Setting goals to abstain from drinking or using for a week, a month, or even a year, they mistakenly conclude that achieving these milestones absolves them of any underlying addiction. Establishing short-term goals with the "reward" of returning to drinking or using is still chasing an illusion of control.  

Dismissing Supportive Resources:

Out of a desire to maintain autonomy, prevent stigma and feelings of shame, people with substance use disorder often reject the idea of seeking assistance from organizations such as Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) or Narcotics Anonymous (NA) or refuse addiction-specific treatment, opting to persevere alone despite ongoing substance use.

Each person who eventually finds their way into recovery embarks on a personal odyssey, trying various approaches in their quest for sobriety. Many people grapple with addiction for decades, struggling to break free before they succeed.

Problematic use of alcohol and other drugs gets worse over time if not arrested. A series of crises, which gets more frequent and more serious, marks the progression of the illness. Eventually, these crises seize the attention of those struggling with substance use disorder or their concerned family and friends. In these moments of heightened awareness, the connection between their substance use and the crises becomes evident. At this juncture, the person afflicted with substance use problems may be motivated by the fear and pain of the latest crisis to seek a recovery solution. Family members may also recognize the problem and decide to intervene, which can create a crisis for the person struggling with substance use disorder. Fear, as a potent short-term motivator, can propel the afflicted to seek the help they desperately need to initiate their transition into recovery.

When someone finally admits to themselves and maybe to others that their best efforts to regain control have proven futile and are unlikely to work in the future, they begin to accept the need for abstinence and help to achieve it. It necessitates recognizing that others possess the knowledge and tools to achieve abstinence and being willing to embrace their guidance and suggestions.
Acceptance is not an act of weakness but rather an act of strength and self-awareness. It requires individuals to confront their vulnerabilities, acknowledge the limitations of their previous efforts, and open themselves up to the support and wisdom of those who have navigated similar journeys. In accepting recovery, individuals lay the foundation for a new chapter marked by healing, growth, and lasting recovery.

In conclusion, recognizing and addressing addiction is complex and arduous. The cunning disguises of substance use disorder often obscure its true nature, prolonging the denial and resistance to seeking help. However, when individuals can overcome their misconceptions, confront their vulnerabilities, and embrace the support of others, they pave the way for recovery. Acceptance becomes the catalyst for transformation, enabling those enslaved by substance use disorder to break free from the destructive patterns that once held them captive. There is strength, hope, and the promise of a brighter future in acceptance.