The Connection Between Isolation and Addiction

A common complaint throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, particularly during lockdowns, was that people felt stuck, lonely, and isolated. Of course, those living with family members or roommates may have yearned for some alone time after being confined with one another for months. But others—especially those living alone—found themselves craving connection and reaching for drugs, alcohol, or even food to fill feelings of emptiness. Although that time has passed, plenty of people still struggle with isolation and addiction, so it’s important to understand the connection between the two and what you can do about it.

If you’re having difficulty with substance misuse alongside mental health challenges like depression or anxiety, you can find the support you need from Promises Brazos Valley’s dual diagnosis treatment programs.

What To Know About the Link Between Isolation and Addiction

The thing about isolation and addiction is that either one can lead to the other. For example, feeling isolated can make you more vulnerable to addiction.

How Does Isolation Lead to Addiction?

Here are a few possibilities:

• If you lack a strong support system, you may find it more difficult to cope with stress and turn to drugs or alcohol for relief.
• Isolation can lead to loneliness or boredom, which can trigger addictive behaviors like drinking or using drugs to fill the void.
• Isolation can be a result of a mental health condition like anxiety or depression, which can make you more likely to self-medicate.

On the other hand, addiction can cause isolation.

How Does Addiction Lead to Isolation?

Several reasons for this are:

• If you feel shame or guilt about addiction, you may isolate yourself from your loved ones to avoid potential criticism.
• Addiction can cause relationships to crumble, and you may feel lonely and isolated if your loved ones start to pull away from you.
• Addiction can take priority over everything else in your life, so you may self-isolate to spend more time with drugs or alcohol instead of with people you love or doing activities you used to enjoy.

As you can see, isolation and addiction go hand in hand, and either one can trigger the other. If feelings of loneliness or isolation make you feel like using substances, it’s imperative to reach out to a loved one or medical professional for support. Addressing isolation early on can help reduce your chances of developing a substance use disorder (SUD).

Developing Healthy Coping Mechanisms

Understanding the connection between isolation and addiction allows you to be more mindful of the effects of isolation and loneliness so you can do something about it before the situation worsens. Developing healthy coping mechanisms helps you replace self-medication and other destructive behaviors with helpful, more effective methods.

Reach Out for Support

Humans crave connection and need it to thrive. Building a strong support system is the best way to stave off feelings of isolation that can lead to addiction. Your support system can include friends or family members you feel comfortable talking to, as well as medical professionals like therapists or doctors who can provide counseling and medication if needed.

Engage in Enjoyable Activities With Others

Avoid isolation by making an effort to spend time in the company of others doing things you enjoy. You can schedule regular meetups with friends or arrange weekly dinners with family members. If there’s a particular hobby you enjoy, look for local groups in your area that focus on that activity, such as hiking groups, knitting clubs, or car enthusiasts.

Practice Self-Care

In addition to staying connected to others, having a strong connection with yourself is also important. Practicing self-care is a great way to keep in tune with your needs and recognize when feelings of isolation creep up. Carve out some time each day to do something nice for yourself, whether it be painting, reading a book, meditating, going for a walk outdoors, or treating yourself to a massage. Spending time alone to engage in self-care activities is integral to your well-being, but be sure to balance alone time with social time.

Reach Out to Promises Brazos Valley and Get Started on Dual Diagnosis Treatment Today

Are loneliness and isolation tempting you to drink more than you should? Reach out for support from Promises Brazos Valley. Through individual and group counseling, along with aftercare and alumni groups, you’ll find the connection and guidance you need to manage isolation, substance misuse, and co-occurring conditions. Call us today at 979.426.0086 to enroll in one of our treatment programs. You can also reach us via our online form.