Delusions

An active alcoholic or an addict’s delusions are one of the most frustrating aspects of any conversation with them.

In the mind of your loved one, it is not just his secrets.   It is his delusions.   A common definition of a delusion is “a false belief or opinion.”   The term denial is often used but delusion is a much stronger word.   Denial is a sub-set of delusion.   The terms “self-lies” and “scripts” are often used.

These delusions are sub-conscious and run through the mind of an active alcoholic and drug addict repeatedly, almost in a loop.   On this subconscious level, they can do the most harm.   Often the alcoholic and drug addict words to you are the exact opposite of what they are thinking on their subconscious level.   They are ofter telling you the words they have learned in lectures at other treatment centers to avoid the consequences of their last binge.   They are telling you the words they know you want to them to say.

Some common delusions running through the subconscious loop in an alcoholic and drug addict’s mind are:

– I don’t have a problem!
– I can handle this!
– This isn’t affecting anyone except me!
– Next time will be different!
– I’ll go to rehab sometime in the future. I don’t need it yet.

There are several hundred additional possibilities.   The delusions running through your loved one’s subconscious are unique to him.   If you tell your loved one that his delusions are delusions, It has no effect.   That seems to make thing worse.

And if you feel extremely frustrated, that is because this is extremely frustrating for everyone who has a loved one who is drinking and using.   We can help!