Just because you’re alone doesn’t mean you are necessarily lonely. Loneliness only happens when you are alone and craving loneliness in sobriety company. Being alone can also be an opportunity to do some things you can’t do when other people are around.
- With how pervasive the internet and social media are, it can be easy to assume that we’re more connected than ever before.
- During the pre-contemplation and contemplation stages of change, a harm reduction approach may be helpful.
- To understand a complex illness like addiction and prevent it from happening to loved ones—let’s examine the link between substance abuse and loneliness.
- Those of us in recovery know all too well the pains of breakups, unhealthy attachment, and abandonment.
- The 2020 Pandemic forced much of the world into isolation, taking away many of the opportunities for genuine social interactions.
- The other important aspect of avoiding replacement addictions is to address any underlying mental health problems.
It can make you feel more energized and motivated, and can help keep negative thoughts at bay. The idea of HALT is a great way to remember the signs needed to take a break or reach out for support from someone positive in your life. It eventually led to depression, anxiety, and other mental health issues – even in a room full of people I could feel totally alone. Looking back now, I think I felt lonely due to the lack of meaningful connections or feelings of belonging.
Four Thinking Mistakes that Can Stand in the Way of Addiction Recovery
Although this may seem like the most obvious approach to combatting loneliness, it isn’t the most sustainable. Relying on others to avoid feeling lonely increases codependency and the inability to be self-reliant. Depression can cause loneliness and that loneliness can result in people self-medicating with drugs or alcohol. But that leaves them lonely, without their primary coping mechanism – alcohol or drugs – and without the social network that used to make them feel connected. Outpatient care may work if you have a milder addiction and a stable home. Amanda is a professional health and wellness writer who specializes in creating content tailored to the female audience.
Checking in with each other and sharing experiences helps you maintain sobriety. By comparison, loneliness makes it easier to slip without anyone noticing. Loneliness may sap the motivation needed to continue the hard work of recovery. Conversely, being part of a tight-knit community offers encouragement and reinforcement.
Addiction Treatment Programs
When you first develop addiction, you might find that drugs indeed help you feel less lonely and more social. However, with time, the disease causes a number of issues https://ecosoberhouse.com/ that leave you more isolated. Whatever you do to combat loneliness, know that you are truly not alone, and there are many things you can do to feel more connected.
