THE ROLE OF DENIAL AND DEFENSIVENESS IN DRUG-USE AMONG ADOLESCENTS

Denial is expressed in the form of defensive behavior. Denial and defe nsiveness among drug-using adolescents are major concerns and barriers to diagnosing drug problems. As a result, adolescents experiencing de nial and defensiveness may be at special risk for additional problems associated with drug use behavior. This study reviews issues around de nial and defensiveness in adolescents, type of defensive diagnoses, dr ugs used, and the question of grade level in school. As antecedents of drug use and associated problems, gender issues, school performance, changes in living situation, ethnicity, trouble with the law and socie ty, family problems, dropping out of school, pregnancy and parenthood, and support group involvement are among the issues addressed. In a si x-month tracking study of alternative school adolescents, drug use and defensiveness was assessed using the Adolescent Substance Battery (AS B; Moore, 1990). The types of drugs used included alcohol, marijuana, and hallucinogens. Defensiveness was highly associated with school cre dit deficiency and a high rate of legal trouble and discipline problem s in defensive males. It is suggested that denial and defensiveness be considered risk factors for drug use and behavior problems. It is als o recommended that defensiveness be explicitly addressed in the diagno ses of females who become parents.