Now more than ever, people around the world are privately struggling with loneliness, addiction, and feelings of isolation. Our world of technology has somehow managed to separate us rather than bring us together. Underneath the shiny veneer of social media lies a pattern of detachment and remoteness that separates us from one another like never before. We interact without making connections, and connections are the foundation of lasting happiness.
The younger generations are suffering just as much, if not more, than the older generations. According to some experts, younger generations are even more prone to feeling lonely. However, no matter how old you are, you may still be battling feelings of loneliness and isolation.
Since we’re in the age of technology, where everyone is connected with the help of a cellphone and a wi-fi connection, feeling lonely may seem impossible. Unfortunately, this is rarely the case. If your feelings of loneliness have led to addiction and depression disorder, there is help available. Get the care you need by calling the Atlantic Recovery Center at 1-866-824-5193. We’ll help you overcome both of these conditions and give you a new lease on life as you move into the future with confidence.
What Causes Loneliness?
Loneliness is a feeling of being disconnected from those around you. This is why it’s possible to have feelings of loneliness even if you are at a party, at work, or in any kind of crowded room. If you don’t feel like you have things in common with anyone nearby, you might feel like you’re alone, even though other people are all around you.
In today’s world, we spend hours being alone. We interact with screens instead of faces. And even if those screens have faces, such as Facetime, it’s still not the same as the very human pleasure of being face to face.
How Loneliness Feeds Addiction
Those who experience feelings of loneliness frequently turn to substance abuse to alleviate the suffering or to mute the pain. This is especially true when it feels like there is no relief from the loneliness or when it is ongoing to the point of being chronic. Everyone is capable of feeling lonely for a few hours or for a day. But when day after day stretches out into a vast field of loneliness, people seek relief.
This period is when they may turn to things like alcohol or drugs. The substance offers the person a way to cope with feelings that are just too horrible to bear. The person may feel rejected by society, or unloved by friends and family, or feel confused about why they don’t “fit in.” Then they turn to drink or drugs as a way to self-medicate and to turn off those terrible feelings of loneliness.
The Dangers of Drinking and Drugs
Alcohol and drugs are addictive substances. When a person starts using and abusing alcohol and/or drugs, the brain actually starts to become reliant on that substance. Receptors in the body are activated. It’s even been said that for a person with an alcohol addiction, getting that first drink in the day triggers the same response as a heroin addict getting high. So whether a lonely person becomes addicted to alcohol or drugs, the resultant level of addiction is eerily similar.
Loneliness is something that we all experience at least once during our lives. But those who suffer day in and day out with loneliness are at increased risk of developing poor habits that can lead to addiction. If you or a loved one suffers from addiction due to loneliness, seek help. Call 1-866-824-5193 to contact the Atlantic Recovery Center Today.