2. Denial Management
12 Ways We Lie to Ourselves and Others
& What We Can Do To Stop
Shari Corbitt, Psy.D.
sharicorbitt@gmail.com
310.848.5418
3. Denial is Natural ?!
Denial is a normal, even healthy part of life.
There is a crucial difference between “healthy” and
maladaptive denial. One allows us to function
effectively in the world while the other prevents us
from handles life’s problem’s effectively.
Maladaptive denial minimizes consequences,
obvious to others but not the addict and at times
the related family members.
4. The 4 Levels of Denial
Level 1 Lack of Information
Level 2 Conscious Defensiveness
Level 3 Unconscious Defensiveness
Level 4 Delusion
5. The Big 5 Denial Types
Avoidance (distraction, playing dumb, etc)
Minimization
Absolute Denial
Rationalizing
Blaming
6. The Little Seven
Democratic Disease State
Flight Into Health
Manipulation
Compliance
Scared Straight
Strategic Hopelessness
Comparing
7. Final Thoughts
Denial is not malingering.
Denial cannot be effectively addressed through
arguing, threatening or giving ultimatums.
Denial is best addressed through joining with the
individual through education of the various denial
patterns in a group format where shame is
minimized.
All of us experience denial – whether we
experience process addictions and/or substance
use disorders or not.
8. Call 800.215.4733
24 hours a day, 7 days a week
www.beaconhouse.org
The Beacon House is fully licensed by the State of California and accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities
The Beacon House is a private, non-profit 501 (c)(3) organization