According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), loneliness and social isolation is directly associated with higher rates of depression, anxiety, and suicidal ideation. The CDC also reports that social isolation also significantly increases the risk of premature death from a variety of causes, including drug overdose.
Unfortunately, isolation is a major risk for people with addiction or substance use disorders, due to the stigma associated with such, and due to the often negative relational effects of symptomatic behaviors and choices. In other words, people who are misusing substances are often very isolated, and therefore at a higher risk of premature death. Some may argue that they are not isolated at all, especially with the correlation of substance misuse and the party scene. However, codependent relationships, or relationships that are purely founded upon substance misuse alone are simply not the kind of connections we truly need as human beings.
For these reasons, we agree wholeheartedly with the sentiments of Johann Hari in his popular TED Talk when he said, “The opposite of addiction is connection.” Ultimately, all of us have two basic needs that need to be met for health outcomes to occur: safety and connection. Long-term recovery has everything to do with establishing new PEOPLE, new PLACES, and new THINGS.
- PEOPLE: Those who are recovering from addiction need to connect with people who are sober, consistent, loving, and supportive of their recovery. They do NOT need more so-called “friends” who are still using, or who may convince them to use in relapse.
- PLACES: Those who are recovering from addiction need places to simply “be” in that are safe, stable, healthy, and affordable. They do NOT need the same stressful surroundings and environments they were in before that may have contributed to their initial use.
- THINGS: Those who are recovering from addiction need new hobbies and activities that are fun, rejuvenating, and entertaining. They do NOT need boredom and lack of engagement.
The first step in getting re-connected in your recovery journey is reaching out for help. Of course, this can be a very scary step to take. “Will I be judged?” “Will I actually get the help I need?” “Will I lose everything and everyone I love?” These are totally valid questions to ask in our society today.
The Willow Center team wants to encourage you and let you know that you will NOT be judged, you WILL get the help you need, and you will NOT LOSE everything and everyone you love when you reach out for help here. We will come alongside of you to help you evaluate and transform your life by guiding you through your journey of grown, healing, and sustainability. We believe in the power of change. You are not alone! Give us a call at 317-852-3690.
-written by Chase Cotten, Executive Director
