Thoftul-
About denial. I think in an addicted situation, there is more than one kind.
There is the denial of the loved ones of the addict which as the disease progress may or may not choose to take off "the bandaid of denial," around their loved one.
There is also the addict themselves. To be removal of denial starts around the time of their bottom.....and some bottoms are lower than others.
I am grateful that I came out of denial when I did (and it had little to do with the disease of addiction in my house). I am grateful you did also.