Substance Abuse and Social Isolation

Substance abuse and social isolation can be closely interrelated.

Social wellness is one of the eight dimensions of wellness. The social dimension is characterized by maintaining and developing healthy relationships, as well as contributing to the community. Social isolation, on the other hand, can be damaging, whether it manifests as feelings of disconnection from others or as a complete lack of social contact.

Many people who feel socially isolated use alcohol, prescription medications, or illicit drugs as a means of coping with feelings of loneliness or sadness. Any form of sustained substance abuse can lead to the development of physical dependence and addiction (substance use disorder). Regrettably, substance abuse typically inflames feelings of loneliness and social isolation, in turn prompting heightened abuse of drugs or alcohol.

This guide to social isolation and substance abuse highlights the interconnected nature of loneliness and addiction, and also explores the mental health aspect of isolation and addiction.

How Loneliness Causes Addiction

Research shows that social isolation may alter the brain in certain ways can increase the risk of addiction.

Those who feel lonely may experience heightened levels of anxiety and stress, prompting a desire for immediate relief. Drugs or alcohol may temporarily alleviate feelings of stress or anxiety. Addictive substances work on the reward centers of the brain to trigger feelings of euphoria and pleasure. Unfortunately, the pleasure associated with substance abuse is fleeting. The root cause of the loneliness remains unaddressed, and ongoing substance abuse may lead to the development of a diagnosable addiction.

Beyond this, many people grappling with addiction also experience social isolation. This can occur for many reasons, including:

Stigma surrounding addiction.
Fear of judgment.
Rejection from friends or loved ones.
Co-occurring mental health conditions like depression or anxiety.

Social isolation can be a risk factor for addiction. If you engage with treatment at Gratitude Lodge in Orange County, we will help you address the root causes of your addiction, including social isolation. Our treatment programs include components that will help you to develop healthy sober relationships with others as you engage with ongoing therapy for drug addiction or alcoholism.

Depression

According to NIMH (National Institute on Mental Health), 21 million U.S. adults experienced at least one episode of major depression in 2020.

Major depressive disorder – the clinical descriptor for depression – is a mood disorder associated with persistent feelings of sadness, helplessness, and hopelessness.

The symptoms of depression may also make it challenging for you to maintain healthy relationships with others, a core dimension of wellness. Additionally, those who feel socially isolated are at increased risk of developing depression, and depression may trigger substance abuse as a form of self-medication.

If you are suffering from depression or any other mood disorder, refrain from self-medicating your symptoms – this will offer nothing but fleeting relief. Instead, consider engaging with inpatient or outpatient treatment. Behavioral interventions like CBT (cognitive-behavioral therapy) will help you to develop healthy coping mechanisms rather than relying on the short-term and flawed strategy of self-medication.

Mental Illness

Mental illness is an umbrella term that encompasses a variety of conditions that may co-occur with substance abuse and addiction. These include:

Major depressive disorder
Anxiety disorder
Panic disorder
Bipolar disorder
Schizophrenia
PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder).

NIMH reports that those with mental illness may be at increased risk of developing addiction. Substance abuse is also likely to inflame the symptoms of mental illness, bringing about a vicious cycle of addiction and mental health complications.

Although mental illness can be aggravating, evidence-based treatment typically delivers positive outcomes.

Individual counseling sessions allow you to work through the underlying causes of your mental illness and develop healthier coping strategies. Therapists may utilize various approaches, including CBT (cognitive-behavioral therapy), DBT (dialectical behavior therapy), and trauma-focused therapy.

Group therapy sessions offer the opportunity for those with mental illness and addiction to connect with peers undergoing similar challenges. Group sessions provide a supportive environment where you can benefit from others with lived experience of mental illness.

MAT (medication-assisted treatment) may also be an effective component of treatment for mental illness. We can help you with all of this and more here at Gratitude Lodge in Orange County.

Dual Diagnosis

Dual diagnosis is a clinical term for the co-occurrence of addictions and mental health disorders. Research suggests that half of those with substance use disorders also have mental health conditions.

Also known as co-occurring disorder, dual diagnosis can be tricky to treat. An integrated approach to treatment is proven to deliver the most favorable treatment outcomes.

At Gratitude Lodge, our dual diagnosis treatment programs are delivered by addiction specialists and licensed therapists. Connect with evidence-based interventions that address both conditions simultaneously at our pet-friendly rehab center in Orange County. Access treatments that include:

MAT (medication-assisted treatment)
Individual counseling
Group therapy
Motivational therapies
Family therapy
Holistic therapies

By initiating your recovery at Gratitude Lodge, you and your pet can benefit from a supportive community for those with dual diagnosis. Explore a wide range of amenities, including a fitness center, yoga classes, and outdoor recreational activities. Becoming more active as you embark on your recovery journey can provide a healthy outlet for stress and anxiety, while also improving your physical and mental well-being.

While isolation and substance abuse can be challenging to overcome, it is nevertheless possible, assuming that you connect with the right support and treatment. We can help you achieve this at Gratitude Lodge in Southern California.

At Gratitude Lodge, we offer a range of evidence-based therapies and holistic treatments that can help you overcome addiction while rebuilding and strengthening your social network.

One effective way to overcome social isolation is to engage in social activities and build healthy relationships with others. Our team of addiction specialists can help you to develop social skills and provide opportunities for you to participate in group activities like fitness classes, outdoor activities, and yoga.

Another crucial aspect of overcoming both addiction and social isolation is to address the underlying issues that contributed to addiction. This may include addressing past traumas, creating healthy coping mechanisms, and learning to manage stress and anxiety in healthy ways that do not involve drink or drugs.

At Gratitude Lodge, we offer a combination of evidence-based therapies like CBT, DBT, and counseling to help you address underlying issues and build a suite of healthy coping skills. Additionally, we provide access to holistic treatments like yoga, meditation, and mindfulness practices, helping to promote overall wellness and emotional balance.

We also offer aftercare services, including ongoing counseling and support groups, to help you maintain your sobriety and continue to build healthy relationships and social connections.

Remember, recovery from addiction is possible and you do not need to remain socially isolated. We are here to help you every step of the way.

When you are ready to move from active addiction into ongoing recovery, we’re here to help you from detox to discharge and beyond at Gratitude Lodge in Newport Beach, San Diego, or Long Beach.

Begin your recovery with our supervised medical detoxification program. Take advantage of medications to reduce the intensity of the withdrawal process. Benefit from continuous clinical and emotional care to minimize the chance of relapse or complications during detox. After a week, you can expect to transition into ongoing evidence-based treatment.

We offer 30-day inpatient programs, as well as intensive outpatient programs, allowing you to connect with treatment for addiction and mental health issues at the appropriate level of care.

Our dual diagnosis treatment program provides integrated and coordinated treatment of both conditions, streamlining your recovery process.

All treatment programs at Gratitude Lodge offer personalized therapy that combines pharmacological, behavioral, and holistic interventions:

Call admissions today at 888-861-1658 to start moving beyond a life framed by addiction and social isolation.