Using drugs or alcohol to cope with certain issues you face in life. It’s not something you literally set out to do – it just happens. Some people like how substances make them feel, so they come to rely on them to feel better. It might start innocently by drinking to loosen up around friends or smoking marijuana to ease anxiety. But over time, a person can become dependent on drugs and/or alcohol and no longer knows how to cope without it.
If you get into a rehab (Awakenings Treatment Center is located in Agoura Hills, California), you’ll spend time uncovering the motivations for your substance use. Are you trying to treat an underlying mental health problem? Are you unhappy with the direction your life is going? Are you trying to escape past trauma?
When you acknowledge what’s driving this behavior, you can heal yourself and prevent relapse. Below are four signs that you may be using drugs or alcohol to cope with your problems.
1. Using Drugs or Alcohol to Relax
Do you reach for a glass of wine or smoke at the end of a long day? While American culture often touts substances as a way to unwind, this habit can quickly turn into a full-blown addiction.
Using substances to relax is a dangerous habit for many reasons. For example, drugs and alcohol stop you from developing healthy, productive coping mechanisms. They also put you further away from acknowledging the source of your stress.
Stress is inevitable. It’s important to have other ways to relax, whether it’s walking, reading or meditating. Plus, these healthy activities will not cause you more problems, like drugs and alcohol.
2. Needing Drugs or Alcohol to Sleep
Another sign that you’re using substances to cope is depending on them to sleep. Many people struggle to fall asleep or stay asleep, but this doesn’t mean drugs and alcohol are the answer. In fact, alcohol and drug use can lead to sleep issues.
For instance, alcohol might make you feel more relaxed, but it actually gives you a lower quality and amount of sleep. Furthermore, sleep and substance use are intertwined. The less you sleep, the more likely you are to abuse substances.
Healthy ways to rest without drugs or alcohol include exercising during the day, drinking chamomile tea before bed, and keeping a cool, dark and quiet room. Melatonin can also help, but this is not a long-term solution.
3. Relying on Substances to Boost Your Mood
About half of people who use drugs or alcohol also struggle with mental illness. You might be doing the same. If you’re dealing with depression or anxiety, you might turn to drugs or alcohol to tame down your emotions and feel better about yourself. But this never works out.
Mental illness must be treated to manage the symptoms. Drugs and alcohol are not the answer. A dual diagnosis treatment center treats mental illness and substance use disorders simultaneously, which offers the best results. There are many ways to treat mental illness, including safe medications, therapy, and lifestyle changes.
4. Using Drugs or Alcohol in Social Situations
Do you always reach for a drink when you’re in a social situation? While this can be framed as ‘just for fun,’ this is rarely the case. People who can’t be sober in social situations often have more confidence. Deep down, they’re often struggling with negative self-talk, low confidence and low self-esteem.
The better alternative is to address what’s causing you to feel insecure around others. By exploring the issue, you’ll learn how to handle yourself in social situations without needing to be drunk or high. And, being sober and alert will prevent you from doing things you may regret later on.
Explore the Issues Driving Your Substance Use
These are four signs that you may be using drugs or alcohol to cope. Awakenings Treatment Center treats substance use and mental health disorders. We offer a wide range of therapies that can help you understand your reasons for using substances, develop healthier ways to cope, and grow stronger in who you are as an individual. Contact our admissions department to learn more.
