At this point, the loss of control is often obvious to others, though it may not be clear that addiction is the culprit. Since denial of addiction is dominant, anybody and anything else is easily blamed. This tends to increase the suffering of family and other close ones. A long list of excuses to avoid change is common. Therapists are often amazed by the creative combination of genius and folly that generate the greatest excuses.
Some addicts declare their powerlessness and enter treatment willingly.
Some are forced by circumstances, family, the courts, or employers to go for help. Others stick with their destructive illness to the bitter ends of homelessness, poverty, divorce, unemployment, incarceration, disease, or death. Those who wish to help addicts need to remember that enabling them to continue their addiction is tantamount to assisting in their murder. We need to be alert, especially with regard to those asking us for money. Addicts have discovered that soliciting tzedakah is a successful technique to finance a drug habit.