Introducing a New Series Discussing Alternatives to “Substance Use as an Emotional Response”

By

Sober Recovery Expert Author

All of Halloween's ghouls, ghosts, and phantoms have vanished. Seasonal changes bring shorter days and longer nights, and soon enough, it will be time to get out the turkey and Christmas decorations. That's a recipe for anxiety and other mental health issues, including seasonal affective disorder (SAD). Many individuals deal with difficult emotions in various ways, such as through food, sex, drugs, and alcohol.

All of Halloween's ghouls, ghosts, and phantoms have vanished. Seasonal changes bring shorter days and longer nights, and soon enough, it will be time to get out the turkey and Christmas decorations. That's a recipe for anxiety and other mental health issues, including seasonal affective disorder (SAD).

Each person reacts differently to stress and traumatic experiences. Some individuals respond in unhealthy ways, like drinking or using drugs, which makes things worse for everyone concerned.

While particular forms of stress relief, such as going shopping to distract yourself and de-stress, may not be too harmful to your physical or mental health, the use of substances as a reaction to stress is one such form. Some individuals are more emotionally sensitive than others, likely due to a combination of factors, including upbringing and genetics. Some people have a genetic predisposition to have adverse emotional reactions, such as an increased risk of drug use.

Anyone in recovery from addiction or mental illness needs to exercise extreme caution this time of year. Since many drugs are more easily accessible and socialized over the holidays, this is often the case. This is particularly true with street drugs. Although everyone uniquely experiences emotional stress, there are certain universal aspects. Rather than turning to alcohol or drugs to cope with stress, this series on "Substance Use as an Emotional Response" will go through some of the most effective alternatives.

We will look at the "yes, but" barrier, problem-solving, opposite action, and checking the facts as viable ways to change emotional reactions.

The “Yes, but” Barrier

It can be challenging to do what's necessary to alter emotional reactions. It calls for work, a positive attitude, and the capacity to know what's best for oneself. The statement "yes, but" is common while trying to assist someone in altering their emotions, especially when the intensity of the emotion is great and the individual perceives that changing their emotions is the same as acknowledging their feelings is wrong. The issue is that responding with "yes, but" never helps alleviate distress or resolve emotional issues. It often serves as an excuse for further substance use.

Opposite Action

When emotions do not match the facts and understanding the facts does not change your emotion, acting completely and repeatedly against your feelings will alter your emotional responses. In other words, if you fall off the horse, get back on. Saying "no" constantly when the urge or craving for substances feels like the right thing to do in response to a specific situation is one way this might seem for someone in recovery from addiction.

Problem-Solving

The situation is the issue if you desire to change your emotions even though the available information warrants them. Finding solutions to problems lessens the occurrence of negative feelings and the need to self-medicate with drugs or alcohol.

Checking the Facts

The ability to alter emotional responses to events is based on one's ability to adjust one's ideas and assumptions about those events to match the facts. You must first gather information about the source of the stress and the current situation. In cognitive therapy, like in many other treatments, checking the facts is a crucial component of the treatment. Check to be sure you're looking at things properly before you respond out of anger or despair, which might lead to substance use.

In addition to preparing you for sustained sobriety during the holidays, the knowledge and practices you acquire in this new series will help you avoid relapse in the future.

There's more to come, so stay tuned.

Contact one of the specialists at the luxury dual diagnosis treatment center, Wish Recovery, to learn better ways of coping with stress and difficult emotions without resorting to substances.

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