Don't drug yourself. In grief, some people turn to alcohol, drugs and other substances (food) and activities(sleeping, shopping, sex, gambling) in an attempt to numb themselves and deaden any feelings associated with the loss. Borrowing from alcoholrehab.com, it is also possible someone could be using substances to punish themselves for a loss, as in the case of a relationship breakdown, an accident, or the loss of a child.
Many people who begin to use substances at a time of loss do so to ignore their emotions and appear to be strong when they are not. We often feel that it is a weakness to cry, need other people, and be sad. Using substances at a time of grief can have very serious implications. A person may become reckless and do things that they would otherwise not do because of their emotional state. They may use multiple drugs, drink to excess, engage in risk-behaviors, share needles or take drugs they would otherwise not take. Additionally, they may begin to associate with people who take drugs also and surround themselves with people who are unstable and potentially harmful. Some people may isolate themselves and take drugs by themselves.
If this is a pattern you find yourself falling into or you have a history of compulsive and addictive behavior, addictionblog.org offers this list of coping skills to help avoid drugging yourself.
1. Turn to friends and family members for help
After a loss, you need to lean on the people who care about you. Even if you pride yourself in being strong and able to handle what life throws at you. Don’t avoid your loved ones. Accept their offer to help you.
2. Draw comfort for loss from your faith
Use spiritual activities, such as praying, meditating or going to church. Many people question their faith during and after the loss of a loved one. It happened to me. I lost my faith in God for months. I blamed him for the loss of my mom. It wasn’t until I opened up to my minister and my church family that I regained my faith. Your faith can get you through many trials in life.
3. Join a support group for grief counseling
Grief can be very lonely. Even with loved ones around, you still feel lonely. It helps when you can share your feelings with others who have experienced similar losses. There are many bereavement support groups. To find one near you, contact your local hospital, hospice or counseling center. See Beacon Hospice's schedule of groups on the top of the blog, too.
4. Face your feelings about grief and loss
You can try to suppress your grief, but you can’t avoid it forever. You have to acknowledge your pain to begin to heal. If you avoid your feelings of loss and sadness, you only prolong the grieving process. Unresolved grief can lead to complications such as depression, health problems and substance abuse.
5. Express your grief through art therapy
Expressing your feelings in a creative way, such as journaling, helps the grieving process. Write about your loss in a journal. Keeping a journal can be very comforting. Some people say writing a letter in your journal is a way to feel connected to the loved one you lost. You can also say things you never got to say in that letter. Or you might use other types of art therapies to help you process your thoughts, feelings and move through the stages of grief.
Also, read the August 9, 2011 entry from this blog.
