What defense mechanism is a client exhibiting when stating, "I don't have a drug problem. I can quit whenever I want"?

The client’s statement, "I don't have a drug problem. I can quit whenever I want," clearly illustrates denial. This defense mechanism is characterized by an individual refusing to acknowledge or accept the reality of a situation. In this context, the client is minimizing their substance use issue, insisting that it does not exist or that they have control over the situation, despite evidence to the contrary. This denial is a common response among individuals struggling with addiction, as it helps them avoid facing the negative consequences of their behavior and the need for help.

While compensation involves trying to make up for a perceived deficiency in one area by excelling in another, repression entails pushing distressing thoughts and feelings out of conscious awareness. Rationalization, on the other hand, involves providing logical or reasonable explanations for behaviors to justify them, which might seem relevant but does not directly address the outright refusal to acknowledge a problem that denial encapsulates. In this case, denial is the most accurate descriptor of the client’s defense mechanism.