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.
Showing posts with label substance abuse. Show all posts
Showing posts with label substance abuse. Show all posts
Thursday, September 8, 2011
Tuesday, August 9, 2011
Grief and Substance Abuse
The following is adapted from an article written by Deb Kozisek, MA, former bereavement coordinator for Beacon Hospice. The article originally appeared in the Harbors of Hope newsletter, Winter, 2009
Grief as a Trigger of Substance Abuse
The effect alcohol or drugs have on our bodies may seem to assist individuals in avoiding or fading the feelings of emotional pain and responses to grief. Bereaved individual are at an increased risk of overusing, abusing or becoming addicted to any substance. In fact, research suggests that a higher proportion of individuals seeking treatment for substance abuse are bereaved.
The effects and consequences of alcohol or drug overuse, abuse or addiction jeopardizes physical health, psychological health and stability, safety, relationships, finances, employment, freedom and spirituality. Sadly, the perceived benefits of alcohol or drugs are only temporary, and the consequences of overuse, abuse, or addiction make an already painful situation more painful and damaging and normal, healthy, and healing grief is inhibited. Thus, the frequency and intensity of unwanted feelings or experiences increases, grief is not resolved, the need for alcohol or drugs increases and it becomes clear how the cycle of overuse, abuse and addiction begins.
Substance Abuse as a Trigger of Grief
Loss is the breaking of a bond with a person, place, thing or idea, and alcohol and drug overuse, abuse and addiction are widely known to cause the loss of physical health, safety, relationships, fiances, employment, freedom and spirituality. Resultantly, grief is a predictable result of the losses that accompany substance use and abuse. Again, the development of a cycle of grief and substance abuse becomes apparent: substance abuse causes the losses that cause grief and the desire to use substances.
First Things First
Sobriety comes first. While it is understandable that the feelings of grief and sadness are overwhelming to the individual, and it may cause them to seek the effect of alcohol and drugs, it is not realist to expect that real emotional pain can be managed effectively if there is not a sober mind to direct it.
Resources for Help
AA -Alcoholics Anonymous, 24 hour Hotline, 1-800-737-6237, www.aaa.org
Al-Anon, www.al-anon.org or www.al-anon-alateen.org
Narcotics Anonymous, 818-773-9999, www.na.org
www.recoveryhelper.org
www.addictionresourcesguide.com
Q and A
I recently lost my wife; I have always enjoyed a glass or two of wine with dinner. What is my risk for abuse and addiction?
There is no single test to define whether addition can or will affect any person. If you continue with the same pattern, and you work through your grief, your risk may not be elevated. However, if there is a change in your pattern or volume of drinking, or if you find yourself drinking to "forget" or avoid pain or loneliness, you are likely at an increased risk. Talk to people who you can have a mutually honest relationship with about your concern. Ask them to gently tell you if they perceive any changes that concern them, and seriously consider any concerns they mention.
Grief as a Trigger of Substance Abuse
The effect alcohol or drugs have on our bodies may seem to assist individuals in avoiding or fading the feelings of emotional pain and responses to grief. Bereaved individual are at an increased risk of overusing, abusing or becoming addicted to any substance. In fact, research suggests that a higher proportion of individuals seeking treatment for substance abuse are bereaved.
The effects and consequences of alcohol or drug overuse, abuse or addiction jeopardizes physical health, psychological health and stability, safety, relationships, finances, employment, freedom and spirituality. Sadly, the perceived benefits of alcohol or drugs are only temporary, and the consequences of overuse, abuse, or addiction make an already painful situation more painful and damaging and normal, healthy, and healing grief is inhibited. Thus, the frequency and intensity of unwanted feelings or experiences increases, grief is not resolved, the need for alcohol or drugs increases and it becomes clear how the cycle of overuse, abuse and addiction begins.
Substance Abuse as a Trigger of Grief
Loss is the breaking of a bond with a person, place, thing or idea, and alcohol and drug overuse, abuse and addiction are widely known to cause the loss of physical health, safety, relationships, fiances, employment, freedom and spirituality. Resultantly, grief is a predictable result of the losses that accompany substance use and abuse. Again, the development of a cycle of grief and substance abuse becomes apparent: substance abuse causes the losses that cause grief and the desire to use substances.
First Things First
Sobriety comes first. While it is understandable that the feelings of grief and sadness are overwhelming to the individual, and it may cause them to seek the effect of alcohol and drugs, it is not realist to expect that real emotional pain can be managed effectively if there is not a sober mind to direct it.
Resources for Help
AA -Alcoholics Anonymous, 24 hour Hotline, 1-800-737-6237, www.aaa.org
Al-Anon, www.al-anon.org or www.al-anon-alateen.org
Narcotics Anonymous, 818-773-9999, www.na.org
www.recoveryhelper.org
www.addictionresourcesguide.com
Q and A
I recently lost my wife; I have always enjoyed a glass or two of wine with dinner. What is my risk for abuse and addiction?
There is no single test to define whether addition can or will affect any person. If you continue with the same pattern, and you work through your grief, your risk may not be elevated. However, if there is a change in your pattern or volume of drinking, or if you find yourself drinking to "forget" or avoid pain or loneliness, you are likely at an increased risk. Talk to people who you can have a mutually honest relationship with about your concern. Ask them to gently tell you if they perceive any changes that concern them, and seriously consider any concerns they mention.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)