Professionals have the smarts – and the motivation – to hide a drug or alcohol addiction. After all, they have a lot to lose. They put their reputation, their professional standing, their public image and their relationships in jeopardy if they are seen talking to a drug dealer in a seedy neighborhood or disappear for days at a time. Thus, they maintain some semblance of normalcy in their lives, so convincingly that their spouse and children are often unaware that a problem exists. Professionals themselves may remain in denial longer than other addicts because they can point to their career as evidence that it “can’t be that bad.” Due to the chronic, progressive nature of addiction, professionals can maintain the façade for only so long. By the time they acknowledge the problem and get help, or are encouraged to seek treatment by a colleague or loved one, their disease is often advanced. Is your colleague or loved one creating any of the following illusions to disguise a drug or alcohol problem?