This episode is about denial and the defense mechanisms that go along with it. Denial keeps us from looking at ourselves and the defense mechanisms are the things that your addiction uses to manipulate you so that you don't have to look at what's going on. Some of the defense mechanisms that Rand talks about are minimizing, "It isn't that bad - I'm not doing coke", or "it is just weed". Justifying is another one. We might say "I'm stressed" or "I'm bored". Defiance is getting mad and angry when somebody tries to talk to you about your drug and alcohol abuse. Blaming is another, "My mom is mean", or "my car is crap." Other people will use withdrawal as a defense mechanism so the will not have to deal with their emotions.