Various reasons and emotions can cause addiction. People seek out drugs and alcohol due to different life experiences and become addicted due to biological factors. One emotion that can be a driving force behind addiction is insecurity. Everyone feels a little unsure at times. As humans, we constantly think, and some of our thoughts can be filled with doubt; this can lead to thoughts of insecurity. Too much insecurity can lead to other problems in relationships and everyday life. Addiction feeds off of self-loathing, as this can enable it to continue. As you try to numb the pain, you are also slowly digging yourself a hole into the darkness that is addiction. By healing your insecurities and learning to practice self-love, you can recover from addiction and maintain sobriety for the long term.
Merriam-Webster defines insecurity as “deficient in assurance: beset by fear and anxiety.” When looking at insecurity within yourself, it commonly means having excessive self-doubt or negative thoughts pertaining to your personal perception. However, no one is born insecure.
There is no one cause of insecurity. Often, there are a variety of reasons that can play into insecurities and their significance in your life. For some people, insecurity can result from a traumatic experience such as growing up in an abusive household or enduring a sexual assault. Going through a crisis can also prompt insecurity, such as financial instability or going through a divorce. Not having a sense of routine in your life can also play a role. For example, many individuals are facing severe insecurity due to the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. No matter the cause, insecurity can play a significant role in your life and pose a risk for dangerous behaviors.
Everyone feels insecure from time to time, but constant insecurity can lead to high-risk behaviors and severe impacts on your mental health. Many people that feel insecure often try to hide their feelings behind being busy, hiding behind false confidence, or simply pretending they aren’t insecure at all. However, hiding insecurity behind a mask can lead to more stress in their lives and the breakdown of relationships as they attempt to keep up this façade. As emotions heighten and symptoms of depression and anxiety worsen, they may begin to seek relief from unhealthy sources such as drugs and alcohol; this is when the danger of addiction sets in.
Those that live with insecurities that do not know how to healthily cope with them often turn to drugs and alcohol in an attempt to numb their pain. By escaping from their perceived reality, they can also escape from whatever insecurities they are experiencing. However, this often provides temporary relief and can worsen your insecurities when you sober up again. In an attempt to fight against this, an individual may continue using these substances more and more to continuously escape their pain. However, numbing the brain with constant drug and alcohol abuse can lead to addiction as the body begins craving the very substances that were supposed to make the individual feel better. Over time, a person may begin to start having trouble holding relationships, a job, paying bills, and get into legal trouble as a result of their addiction. Drugs and alcohol are not a permanent fix and often lead to more problems, which is why proper healing is essential to a happy and healthy life.
When you finally decide to address your insecurities, there are a number of things you can do to start. First, ask yourself why you care so much about what others think. Learn to identify the reasons you rely on the opinion of others for self-validation. From there, you can begin to state affirmations to yourself to help you boost your confidence. You can also talk to a therapist or other mental health professional to help you work through these underlying issues. However, it is crucial to accept that if you are struggling with addiction, you will need to seek proper treatment in order to find true healing.
Your insecurities may stem from underlying depression, anxiety, or another mental health disorder. If you are struggling with addiction and a mental health disorder, you could benefit from dual diagnosis treatment. This type of treatment involves getting clean and then working through the underlying issues that caused your addiction in the first place through therapy, group activities, holistic experiences, and more. You will also learn how to handle triggers in the future and maintain recovery for the long term. Treatment will help address your insecurities and help you live a life of confidence, health, and determination.
Insecurity can play a more significant role in the development of addiction than most people realize. Insecurities are often brushed to the side because we believe that we can overcome them easily. However, most people do not know how to cope with insecurities in a healthy manner and, therefore, engage in high-risk behaviors such as drug and alcohol use. Treatment centers such as NorthStar Transitions want to address insecurity and its role in addiction -- self-medication is a dangerous practice. Our staff understands how your insecurities can lead to a dependence on drugs and alcohol. However, our variety of treatment modalities such as individual and group therapy, experiential therapy, holistic therapy, and medication-assisted treatment (MAT) can help you find the healing you need. The NorthStar difference is clinical excellence, evidence-based therapeutic modalities, personalized treatment plans, and our location in the serene and majestic setting of Boulder, Colorado. Call us today to learn more at (303) 558-6400.
