Substance use and mental health are deeply intertwined. For many, turning to drugs or alcohol isn’t about chasing a high – it’s a way to cope with emotional pain. But why does this happen? How does substance use begin as a form of relief and turn into a deeper struggle?
In this blog, we’ll explore how emotional distress can lead people to use substances as a coping mechanism, the cycle of self-medication, the impact of stigma, and how we can offer meaningful support, especially through our compassionate, community-based services.
Life can be extremely tough. For some, the weight of trauma, loss, or ongoing stress can feel unbearable. Many people who use substances are not doing so to chase a high – they’re trying to cope with emotional turmoil, or struggling with clinically challenging issues like anxiety, depression, PTSD, or unresolved grief. Drugs can offer a temporary escape – a way to numb intense feelings or silence intrusive thoughts. They can be seen as a way to provide relief in the short term, even though they often create more challenges in the long run. While they can take the pain away temporarily, substance use can also compound existing mental health issues, making them harder to navigate over time.
Using drugs to self-medicate
When someone feels overwhelmed, they may use drugs to self-medicate, to dull the pain or ease distressing emotions. But self-medicating can quickly become a cycle. The more a person uses substances to cope, the more they may need them to function. And as tolerance builds, they may need higher doses to achieve the same effect, increasing the risk of dependency.
This cycle can be incredibly difficult to break, especially if the underlying emotional pain remains unaddressed. It’s not a lack of willpower, it’s a response to distress. Running alongside this is often a physical dependency caused by symptoms that occur when you ‘withdraw’ or reduce the drug intake. This can be extremely difficult to move past.
The impact of stigma
Society often views drug use through a lens of judgment rather than empathy. This stigma can prevent people from seeking help or even admitting they have a problem, creating further isolation and emotional distress. But the reality is that the reasons behind drug use are often complex, and drug use spans all demographics, cultures, and socio-economic statuses. Mental health challenges can occur for anyone and drug and alcohol use can seem like a soothing option.
Supporting people who use substances
If you have a loved one who is using drugs, it can be difficult to know how to help. Start by listening without judgment. Ask open-ended questions and be willing to hear their story without interrupting. Show them that you care and are there to support them, whether that means helping them find professional support or simply being a compassionate ear.
Encourage them to explore resources that can help them address both their mental health and their substance use. Turning Point provides comprehensive support for people struggling with both issues, offering non-judgmental advice and pathways to recovery.
In Hammersmith & Fulham, Kensington and Chelsea we provide individually tailored support for people dealing with substance use. This includes access to a huge range of services to help deal with whatever challenges they might be facing. We can provide access to trained recovery workers in group sessions or one-to-one support, and we have a full programme of informal, supportive opportunities such as park fitness, coffee mornings, and friends and family drop ins. Our regular ‘Supporting emotions’ sessions help individuals to better understand and cope with emotions and handle distress with self-compassion.
This blog was originally published by Turning Point. You can read the original post here.
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