Denial

An interesting topic the other night.

So the easy definitions are "a refusal to satisfy a request or desire" - or a "refusal to admit the truth or reality of something".

Yeah - pretty much everyone does that at times. You get denied something - or when something doesn't go right - you are in denial of the issue or your involvement. 

However - a much more serious definition is also had when it comes to the human mind. In psychology, Denial is defined as "a defense mechanism in which confrontation with a personal problem or with reality is avoided by denying the existence of the problem or reality"

Simply put, your mind says - nope -  not dealing with that right now.  

Left unchecked - these events fester and boil, causing fear and tensions - and we often self-medicate to alleviate the mental pain   The compartmentalized issues can linger for years.

Interestingly -  the 12 Step program has a great way of dealing with this.  It's really nothing to do with alcohol directly - it's a mental health program with a spiritual core.  Alcohol is a symptom, almost always of fear.  Change the word "Alcohol" with "Fear" -  suddenly it's a great therapy program.

Admit a problem that scares you, enlist a spiritual power - go over it - assess changes - make amends - move on.  Help others do the same.

 So denial is one of quite a few brain tools to help us cope.  The trick is to recognize is - work on it and not self-medicate over it. There is nothing in life that alcohol helps or makes better, and often a lot worse. 

In running SoberWorld.org - there seems to be a huge denial of many things globally.  Deaths, rapes, Cancers, the economic impact of alcohol and many more issues are largely ignored - and accepted. Personally, I find that unacceptable and will not live in denial. 

"See what no one else sees - see what others choose not to see."  -  Patch Adams Movie.