1)      Absolute Denial – “I’m not an alcoholic.  I can stop anytime.”

2)      Minimizing – “I only drank on weekends.”

3)      Blaming – “I didn’t start rink heavily until I had too much pressure at work.”

4)      Rationalizing:

a.       Intellectualizing – “in AA they say…”

b.      Comparison – “Now he’s a bad alcoholic.  I never did that.”

c.       Diagnosing self as Beyond Help – “I’m too old to recovery.  I’m too far gone.”

5)      Diversion –

a.       Omission – “I won’t talk about it.”

b.      Distraction – “Drinking has affected my family life.  Now you should meet my ex-wife…”

6)      Compliance – “I’ll say all the right things.  Now just leave me alone.”

7)      Manipulation – “I’ll let you help if you’ll do it for me.”

8)      Yes, But – “Yes I know that meetings are important, but now for me.”

9)      Consequential Sobriety – “I can never drink again because I’ll lose my job and my family.  Since I know this, why do I need treatment?”

10)  Democratic Disease – “I have a right to drink even if I am alcoholic.

11)  Selective Memory – “Alcohol gives me energy.” (Until I pass out…)

12)  Having all the Answers – “I know what I need to do, so there’s nothing to worry about.”  (or talk about…)