How Loneliness Fuels Addiction
While families and friends are gathering to celebrate the holidays, there are many people who are alone this holiday season. Loneliness can be a difficult thing, especially during this time of year. For individuals struggling with addiction or alcoholism, their substance abuse disorder may have alienated them from their loved ones. Worse yet, there is a strong connection between loneliness and addiction, with loneliness worsening addiction [1]. With addiction treatment in Boca, patients can combat loneliness while finding sobriety.
How Loneliness Worsens Addiction
There is a strong connection between loneliness and addiction, with neuroscientists reporting that loneliness affects areas within the forebrain that are responsible for decision-making. Lack of social connection and loneliness can cause compulsive behaviors in this system [1], including substance abuse and alcoholism. Additionally, when individuals form anxious attachment models of relationships, they may turn to drugs and alcohol to cope with their stress and avoid self-reflection2. This, in turn, can lead to a self-fulfilling situation, in which a person’s behavioral effects of addiction worsen their isolation in a damaging cycle.
Combating Loneliness and Addiction
At Banyan Boca, we are here to help patients overcome their loneliness and addiction while addressing the factors of both. Our facility provides drug and alcohol detox alongside addiction treatment in Boca, with personalized programs to help patients heal. Our facility is ideal for treating substance abuse and alcoholism, connecting patients in a community setting where they can support one another throughout the recovery process.
Call our facility for residential drug treatment in Boca today at 888-280-4763 to learn how we can help.
Sources:
- Washington Post - Neuroscientist thinks one way to fight opioid addiction is to tackle loneliness
- Psychology Today - Addiction as a Disease of Isolation
