5 Ways To Overcome Loneliness In Addiction Recovery

It’s no surprise that being lonely has detrimental effects on mental and physical well-being. The feelings can stem from a multitude of reasons, such as grief following loss, divorce, separation, or miscarriage. Not only can loneliness increase the risk of depression, suicidal thoughts, heart conditions, and other illnesses, but it can also trigger or worsen addiction. Some people may even make themselves available if you feel like you need someone to talk to. Going to meetings regularly also gives structure to your day so that if you do feel lonely, you have a definite idea of when that might end. Keep in mind, especially if you’re relatively new, that engagement is key.

• Further complicating the concept of loneliness is the fact that many people say they feel alone even when surrounded by family and friends.
• Additionally, isolating may cause you to lose interest in activities you once enjoyed.
• Those games can be very serious indeed – and they’re also a great place to meet peers with similar interests.
• And your brain’s ability to change its neuron wiring, also called plasticity, lasts your entire life.
• The impact of loneliness extends beyond mental and emotional well-being to affect physical health.

Six Ways to Manage Pain in Addiction Recovery

If you’re currently in recovery, you likely know the pain of isolation in the depths of substance use disorder. However, while the correlation between SUD and loneliness is clear, you may not have recognized that there can be a significant risk of loneliness in recovery, too. Those suffering from an SUD turn to substances to combat feelings of loneliness, and taking away these substances can make a person feel more isolated. As discussed earlier, an increase in isolation and dependence on parasocial relationships can increase loneliness. One early study discussed the necessity of psychological intervention and mental health care during disasters of all kinds, and COVID-19 was no exception.

What Causes Addiction – Understanding Root Factors

The people who attend them with you understand the difficult situation you’re in and can connect with you about your feelings of loneliness or other negative emotions. That’s because parasocial relationships can leave most people feeling unfulfilled. For some, turning to substances can seem like a convenient way to ease the loneliness in recovery feelings of loneliness or even as a way to jumpstart social connections that are only built on substance use. A strong support system can reduce the risk of depression, self-harm, and help individuals recover from addiction. Communication is key to helping your loved ones understand the situation and recovery process.

How Do You Protect Yourself With a Family History of Addiction?

The road to drug or alcohol addiction recovery is full of challenges, which include the need for physical and emotional isolation. This is true, especially when dealing with a unique combination of mental health and substance use disorders. In an addiction recovery program, there are likely several meetings you can attend throughout the week.

US Government Expected to Reclassify Cannabis as Lower-risk Drug

• Life changes, physical abilities, work environments, mental conditions, physical illness, addiction and a million other variables all play a role in whether you experience it and to what degree.
• Finding a supportive community is a vital part of the addiction recovery process.
• Meditation, though a solitary activity, is also important to nurture the mind and develop a healthy mind/body relationship, increasing mindfulness and well-being.
• Bridges of Hope is an accredited drug and alcohol detox and rehabilitation center with customized programs tailored to each individual patient.

Is It Normal to Feel Lonely During Addiction Recovery?

• Our Treatment Advisors are available 24 hours a day to help you or a loved one access care.
• The lack of meaningful relationships can leave individuals feeling unsupported, further isolating them.
• That is, Americans are lonely, especially younger generations, says Cigna’s 2018 U.S.
• As previously mentioned, your life has likely been completely uprooted through getting treatment for addiction and removing your previous toxic circle.
• It’s not surprising, then, that our happiness connects to our relationship with others.