There are any number of reasons why someone will deny that he or she has a drug problem. Some reasons have to do with embarrassment or concealment due to real or perceived consequences (like getting punished at home or suspended from school). Some people are embarrassed that they have a problem that they feel that they cannot control. They may feel bad about the things that they have done while high or drunk.
There is also a lot of stigma associated with drug abuse. Being labeled a “drug abuser” may have any number of social and psychological consequences for the substance abuser, including lowering one’s self-esteem, limiting one’s social (e.g., being cut off from friends and family), educational (i.e., being expelled from school), or even occupational opportunities (e.g., not being hired at a local restaurant).
Many times, people don’t want to admit that they have an addiction because it will mean having to give up something that they value or something they need to get by. But there are real repercussions if you don’t admit to having a drug problem. You might be subject to more scrutiny by family, friends, or people in the community (e.g., police) that may result in social and legal consequences.
Also, a lot of people think they have their drug use “under control,” but in most cases drugs gain control of you. And sometimes a friend, family member, or teammate is the one who sees the signs of trouble first.
For more advice on how to help a friend in trouble, visit the Help section of this Web site.