Isolation can sneak up on a person, making it tough to stay in touch with loved ones, stay active, and maintain a healthy mindset. When times get stressful, we tend to become more worried about our health in general. Staying inside and away from others, however, can have long-term impacts on alcohol consumption. Look to Northern Illinois Recovery Center to find the support you need to overcome isolation and heal from substance abuse.
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Stress and Self-Isolation
Unfortunately, even those without histories of alcoholism or addiction relapse, who drink only in social contexts, can face problems if isolated for too long. A U.S. National Library of Medicine National Institutes of Health has covered this in great depth. They’ve found that isolation, and its resulting sense of loneliness, increase the risk of alcohol abuse for many.
The Cycle of Isolation and Loneliness
But what causes increased instances of self-isolation? Often, heightened levels of stress are the cause. Stress from work, social matters, family-related events, or otherwise can slowly create a sense of needing to be alone. Humans are social beings, and not interacting with others directly affects our happiness.
Unfortunately, feelings of loneliness have increased in recent years. Isolation isn’t necessarily the only cause of loneliness. Still, it results in several other health issues as well. It’s considered an underlying factor of depression, chronic pain, and increased stress levels—often re-enforcing itself the longer it persists.
The Link Between Loneliness and Mental Health
Substance abuse and mental health tend to go hand in hand: As one worsens, the other tends to result. Several clinical studies relay that about 50 percent of those diagnosed with mental illnesses also struggle with substance abuse. This statistic goes both ways, too, asserting just how closely mental distress and substance abuse are related: About half of those struggling with addiction, later on, are diagnosed with some form of mental illness.
Mental distress is isolating, even when surrounding circumstances aren’t negative. Mental illness symptoms can make it difficult to even get out of bed—making it tougher to seek companionship. Social stigmas surrounding your condition, too, might make socializing scary. In all events, isolation can quickly become a major factor contributing to alcoholism and its impact on the brain.
Feeling Lonely: The Dangers of Alcoholism
Over time, alcoholism can lead to ignoring a social life altogether—putting more time towards searching for the next high provided by alcohol consumption. In some cases, the same thing can happen to alleviate alcohol withdrawal symptoms caused by previous indulgences. With each instance, substance abuse increases. It also makes comorbid mental conditions more likely.
Fortunately, it’s possible to recover from this cycle with help from rehab for alcoholics. Comprehensive approaches to mental distress, feelings of loneliness, and signs of alcohol addiction are very effective. They can also be incredibly manageable, helping individuals regain positive outlooks on life.
Recovery from Loneliness and Alcoholism
Alcohol addiction treatment can take the form of cognitive-behavioral therapy. Inpatient support helps keep feelings of loneliness at bay, protecting patients from further seeking alcohol to relieve ongoing mental distress.
Over time, individuals are supported in creating a proactive network dedicated to mental health. At Northern Illinois Recovery, we treat each patient with great care by providing:
- Inpatient care
- Intensive outpatient care
- Our sober living program
- Partial hospitalization
- Ongoing detox support
By providing an individualized approach to your unique situation, we can help you overcome alcoholism one step at a time. We care deeply for families and individuals struggling with substance abuse, and we feel the road to recovery is never too far away. Give us a call at 855.786.1978 to learn more about this path and to start your alcohol addiction treatment journey with professional providers at your side.
Licensed Physician and Surgeon
Dr. Beth Dunlap, a board-certified addiction medicine and family medicine physician, and is the medical director at Northern Illinois Recovery Center. She is responsible for overseeing all the integrated medical services at both campuses. Beth completed medical school, residency, and fellowship at Northwestern University, where she continues to serve on the faculty as a member of the Department of Family and Community Medicine. She has extensive experience in addiction medicine at all levels of care, and her clinical interests include integrated primary care and addiction medicine, harm reduction, and medication-assisted treatment.
© 2023 Northern Illinois Recovery.