How does self-deception work in addictions?

Anyone who has worked with addictions (or lived with a family member with addictions) knows to what extent a person can deceive themselves to continue using drugs.

In this article I am going to explain to you what cognitive dissonance is, why it is a very important concept to understand how addictions work, and I am going to give you examples of how this phenomenon occurs among people with different types of addictions.

• Related article: "Quitting tobacco: the 5 most common causes of relapse"

What is cognitive dissonance?

Cognitive dissonance is a phenomenon coined by the psychologist Leon festinger way back in 1957. This term refers to psychological conflict that a person faces when they come across information that questions their already established beliefs. That is, when you are faced with information that questions what you already believe in.

Many popularizers, such as the great psychologist Ramón Nogueras, have pointed out how dissonance cognitive explains the fake news, the anti-vaccine movements or that victims of cults refuse to abandon them.

• You may be interested in: "Cognitive dissonance: the theory that explains self-deception"

How cognitive dissonance affects self-deception in people with addictions

When a person develops dependence on a substance or behavior, will tend to filter reality in such a way as to justify their actions.

For example, when a family member reminds you that he is drinking too much, a common response from a person with alcoholism might be "There are many people who drink the same or more than me" or "my grandfather drank alcohol every day his whole life and lived many years" or "you hate that I have fun. "

To the people watching, the signs of addiction will be obvious, except for the person himself. Self-deception is a defense mechanism to avoid embarrassment or fear of acknowledging the loss of control in one's life.

Besides, nobody would like admitting that you have wasted part of your life, money, health, or relationships for something that also makes you feel like a slave.

Therefore, cognitive dissonance will cause the person to raise mental barriers to any evidence that they have an addiction problem. You will reject any information that calls into question your current world view, and they will use all their imaginations to continue their destructive habits.

• Related article: "What is the psychological treatment for cannabis addiction like?"

Cognitive dissonance among people with marijuana addiction

The case of cannabis users is very curious. Since the popularization of this drug in the Western world in the 60s and 70s of the last century, a multitude of communities of marijuana enthusiasts have developed. They even have a day (April 20) to celebrate their love of marijuana, a movement known as 420.

When someone starts using cannabis (in the form of marijuana, hashish or any other) meets a worldwide community of consumers who deny the harmful effects of this drug, and only pay attention to the possible benefits. They share advice on self-cultivation of marijuana, on the different varieties and promote a lifestyle around the habitual use of this drug.

This is the perfect example of cognitive dissonance among people with dependence on some drug, because when their relatives, their partner or even them psychologists confront them by pointing out how extreme marijuana use is destroying their lives, they will defend their use with arguments What:

• "It is a soft drug, it has no danger."
• "It does not cause addiction, it is not like other drugs."
• "I have known people who have smoked every day for years, and they are doing very well."
• "If marijuana were dangerous, they would not be legalizing it in other countries."

AND Most of these arguments will have been backed by the 420 "community", which spreads all kinds of hoaxes about the supposed benefits of marijuana use. (and ignore the serious addiction or psychosis problems suffered by thousands of people around the world).

Let's not forget that the marijuana business moves a lot of money, including merchandising, growing paraphernalia, seeds, etc.

As you can see, the person will ignore almost any scientific evidence that is put before him, to justify the less uncomfortable story (psychologically speaking).

Nobody likes to admit that we are wrong, so we will tend to manipulate the information in a way that we are always right. Cognitive dissonance is one of many psychological biases that all of us fall into (psychologists too), but that is more accentuated in certain profiles, especially in people with addictions who do not want to recognize their problem of consumption.

• You may be interested in: "The false myth of medical marijuana"

Cognitive dissonance among people with tobacco addiction

Among tobacco smokers, cognitive dissonance can be seen in arguments like these:

• "If smoking were so bad, it would be illegal."

• "Better to smoke than to get high."

• "I smoke very little, less than X cigarettes a day."

• You may be interested in: "The 4 lies that do not allow you to quit smoking"

Cognitive dissonance among people with alcohol addiction

Among people with alcohol problems, cognitive dissonance can be observed in arguments like these:

• "Everybody drinks."
• "If you don't drink, you are a boring person."
• "My father drank his whole life and lived many years."

How to deal with the self-deception of a person with addictions

As you will have observed in the different examples, the person with cognitive dissonance will try to minimize the perception of harm, delegitimize the data they are offered (consider it little valid), change the focus of the conversation, or use the force of the group / community to justify their consumption.

The most important thing is not to humiliate or disrespect the other person, however wrong we think he is. Many of our arguments will cause rejection in the other person, make them become defensive or even move away from us even more.

The best thing is to generate conversations from love and with great patience. Overcoming an addiction problem is not easy, and recognizing that we have a problem is not easy.

When the person has recognized the problem, you should encourage them to go to a professional that he can help you take the next steps to overcome his addiction.

My name is Luis Miguel Real, and I am a psychologist specializing in addictions. Get in touch with me and I will give you an appointment online as soon as possible.