Are you trapped in a world of substance abuse that makes you feel lonely and misunderstood? You are not alone. People who battle drug problems feel isolated and incapable of overcoming the cycle of addiction and loneliness.

These issues can overwhelm you and your family members if they cause you to spiral out of control. It is important to know how your mental and emotional health contributes to substance use and how treatment can change the course of your life.

What Are Signs of Addiction and Loneliness?

Loneliness and substance abuse play off each other in devastating ways when it comes to your mental health. When you do drugs, you create chemical changes in your body systems, leading to depression and anxiety. People who feel anxious and sad often don’t want to socialize or participate in activities that increase feelings of well-being. This feedback loop turns into a continuous set of actions that feed sadness and negative emotions and spur the desire to use. These are concerns related to this vicious cycle.

Increasing Isolation

People who feel down about life and personal circumstances are prone to isolation. Isolating behaviors intensify your vulnerability to addiction and loneliness. There are three main types of loneliness people experience:

1. Emotional: The inability to form attachments or maintain relationships are difficult emotional hurdles. Emotional loneliness occurs when you believe no one cares or listens.
2. Social: The longing to be part of a group is vital for most people. Social loneliness happens when you lack social outlets or don’t feel supported by your friend group.
3. Existential: The need to understand your place in the world is an intrinsic desire. If you feel disconnected from life, it is difficult to function normally, and drug use may seem to be a way to manage addiction and loneliness.

Perceptions about relationships are often confusing for people dealing with addiction. Substance abuse may inhibit your ability to trust and comfortably engage with others.

Changing Behavior

Behavioral changes in substance abusers are perpetuated by being lonely and using substances to cope. These changes often have serious outcomes when you feel alone. These are signs of a downward spiral:

• Having mood swings
• Engaging in risky activities
• Lacking anger control
• Losing interest in life
• Hurting those you love

Finding the right treatment program is essential to your wellness and the safety and care of people in your life.

Declining Mental Health

There are a number of co-occurring mental health challenges that accompany substance use disorders. Addiction and loneliness complicate SUDs because many of the attributes of these issues coincide. It is difficult to separate the two in order to heal, so getting professional counseling is crucial.

Find Resources To Manage Addiction and Loneliness

National TASC is dedicated to creating safer communities by helping individuals find treatment programs that break the addiction-crime cycle. We identify drug-involved offenders who could benefit from TASC case management services and treatment in a qualified recovery program.

You need help to escape the cycle of addiction and loneliness and get your life on track. Contact us to learn more about the National TASC program and receive information about our services.  

Sources:

• https://www.rtor.org/2020/12/10/the-link-between-loneliness-and-substance-abuse/
• https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/lifetime-connections/201907/the-3-types-loneliness-and-how-combat-them
• https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4295122/
• https://psychcentral.com/blog/why-addicts-are-often-lonely-people#1
• https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/topics/substance-use-and-mental-health

The Link Between Loneliness and Substance Abuse: 5 Things You Need to Know

https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/lifetime-connections/201907/the-3-types-loneliness-and-how-combat-them

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4295122/

https://psychcentral.com/blog/why-addicts-are-often-lonely-people#1

https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/topics/substance-use-and-mental-health

The Link Between Loneliness and Substance Abuse: 5 Things You Need to Know

https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/lifetime-connections/201907/the-3-types-loneliness-and-how-combat-them

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4295122/

https://psychcentral.com/blog/why-addicts-are-often-lonely-people#1

https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/topics/substance-use-and-mental-health