They air commercials filled with misinformation designed to scare parents into thinking that drug and alcohol use is such a serious problem that their offspring will probably die unless they get treatment. Drug and alcohol treatment is ineffective, and therefore a waste of money. If they claim that they never experienced one or more of these symptoms they are harassed and brutalized in an effort to combat their denial. In all likelihood their denial is completely justified. The concept of denial is a dangerous one because as soon as people claim they don't have a problem, it means they really do have it.
Denial is viewed as a symptom of the disease.
There is an excellent book called The Truth About Addiction and Recovery . The information contained in this book is so valuable that it is a must for any parents who are concerned with preventing substance abuse in their children. In fact, this book should be required reading for everyone working in the field of addiction and everyone who uses or abuses substances. People who have the worst substance abuse problems, on the other hand, are those who cannot gain a foothold in life. They more often come from deprived environments or from seriously disrupted homes, or have severe personal or emotional problems.