Loneliness and Addiction are Connected
Loneliness and Addiction are Connected
We are lonely people. This isn’t because we are alone and don’t have people around us. But it is because we don’t have enough listeners in our lives, and we don’t feel seen, or validated. No doubt, loneliness brings detrimental effects on our physical and mental well-being and other circumstances often compound addiction. Let’s explore how addition creates loneliness.
What is loneliness?
Loneliness is viewed as the negative state of existence, and although some alone time is needed for a recharge, these are two very different things. Loneliness is at epidemic levels. The link between loneliness and Addiction might not be something that people are aware of in their lives. Being alone and being lonely are different things that affect our body, mind, and emotions. Along with that being alone may be seen as a healthy thing but being lonely is different. Loneliness can stem from Addiction, or Addiction may cause loneliness as well.
How Addiction creates loneliness?
Addiction, anything that keeps you super involved in it, may bring a stage of loneliness to you. Loneliness is also the root factor of depression, weaker immune systems, poor sleeping patterns, and stress. This doesn’t include low self-esteem, poor cardiovascular function, anxiety, increased cigarette smoking, and increased alcoholism. Using harmful substances to cope with challenges like trauma, anxiety, and depression are called co-morbid disorders. In the case of loneliness, someone may easily fall into drinking to cope with it.
Loneliness and alcoholism
Once someone starts drinking to ease loneliness or depression, he or she will further increase their sense of loneliness. Additionally, someone drinking may quickly develop tolerance once he or she drinks over a few times. Someone who has around 2 to 3 drinks in a sitting may soon feel that they need a stronger amount of alcohol and more servings in a sitting. This may translate into binge drinking. Binge drinking is four or more drinks in 2 hours for women and five or more drinks in 2 hours for males.
Although people might drink for many reasons being lonely may put them at an increased risk, and hence they must be aware of the link between Addiction and loneliness. Drinking a lot reduces the feelings of intoxication, and can cause the need for more alcohol to get the same feeling. Some binge drinkers may transition into heavy drinking as alcohol just doesn’t cut it anymore. Moreover, since alcohol alters the brain’s chemistry, long-term alcohol abuse can become highly difficult to stop.
If someone uses drugs such as Xanax or cocaine, or other very addictive substances, they may find it very hard to quit. Most people want to see how addition cerates loneliness but often don’t know how to feel free from this cycle. If you or your loved ones are having this Addiction, you must seek help and start surrounding yourself with compassionate people and don’t make you feel lonely. It is possible to break free.
Wishing you The Gift of a listening ear,
Tiffany
