Originally Posted by
Ladybird579 
Do they actually know they are lying? believe that they can never get caught? or is it alcoholic delusion that makes them think they won't get caught?
It's a waste of energy to work out...who know or cares? Focus on yourself. your recovery, not what the alcoholic is doing or why.
In general I agree, but on this particular issue, when I figured out that ex actually believed many of the strange things he said - he had not formed the conscious intent to lie - it helped me to see him as someone with mental health problems rather than just someone being a jerk, and that enabled me to feel a bit more compassion.