For someone to successfully battle and defeat an addiction they must admit that they have a problem and be willing to "fix" it. What if someone has a problem, knows it but isn't willing to admit that they do? While yes, it would be easier to wait until they admit that they do have a problem you could wait far too long until it's too late. Question: how can you help a loved one who is denial? How do you confront them and get them to stop deceiving themselves?
This is a great question, I ask myself that question every day. Looking forward to the answers that others may have.
Most of the time, and I don't speak for everyone, they feel ... un-cared for... Or at least from my experience. I think that simply having a loving, non-judgmental, intervention would help, as stated above. But, also telling them that you genuinely care... and meaning it! -DeathXGun
The best way to get someome to admit they have a problem is to gently inform them they do, help them understand.
I don't think that helping someone who is in denial works. When one is trapped in an addiction, it's likely we see everybody coming with advice either as some who is only criticizing us , or as an "enemy" for trying to pull us out of the substance we love. The only way to help someone in denial is probably not insisting directly, but working indirectly to get them accepting the reality, whether making available random literature for him/her to find it or using some psychology to get this done.
Well, as a friend/loved one of the addicted person, I would try to be as understanding as possible. I wouldn't pressure him/her to quit all his/her addictions if he/she isn't ready to do such a thing yet. I would just try my very best to support, and encourage that person.
As gently as possible I would bring it up. Don't be passive, straight forward is better when confronting an issue they might not realize they have. Be Patient and kill them with Kindness (not being a pushover but genuine love). It is a hard place to be and there is no right answer as every situation is different.
Having a heart-to-heart talk with them, using love and empathy instead of anger, is the best thing to try. But remember that anger never works. Anger just breeds more anger.
I think acting out of love is powerful. Even if you don't have the perfect words or the perfect approach, the person will know what is in your heart and be able to understand that. I think "being there" means more than having the perfect solution to every problem. It can really help alot.
It is a delicate situation where you think of using humor to pass the message across but they may become suicidal which is not want we want. Persistence pays; I do believe nagging and constant caution will help the victim. It may take some time but it will end in successful recovery.