DENIAL = Don’t Even kNow I Am Lying
Key question: What is real?
Read: Self-Delusion.
Sex addicts rationalize, minimize, and excuse their compulsive behavior.
The addicts themselves are not be able to understand why they are acting out sexually or why they are preoccupied with sex (porn addiction, internet porn, compulsive masturbation, etc).
Sex addicts have no comprehension of the risks they are taking - e.g.:
sex addict may watch child pornography and risk prosecution, jail, humiliation, etc
AIDS
Sex addict is even denying the shame, which causes the addict to live a double life.
Addiction has two critical elements - a behavior disorder, and a thinking disorder which denies and rationalizes the addictive behavior".
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Those in recovery say: “DENIAL ISN’T A RIVER IN EGYPT” it is a serious obstacle to addicts recognizing that they have a problem and that they need help to overcome it!
A person in denial may say:
List ten ways you have been out of control and the denial statements you made that helped you rationalize your behavior.
See also: