Why Low Self-Esteem Can Lead to Drug Addiction

One’s family background , difficult situations at work or school and life challenges can all lead to self-esteem that is damaged. When there is low self-esteem, we find ways to numb the pain. Drug Addiction is one of these paths. When someone has a low opinion of himself, he can try to remedy this by a self-forgetfulness. The low self-image may have begun when one’s parents criticized him or compared him to a sibling over and over again. It also could have been re-enforced (or even started) when kids in elementary school ignored him or laughed about him.

If one feels badly about oneself, trying to fit in or please others is a common route. This can involve in doing drugs as this can be seen as the norm for some cliques at school. No one likes to feel like an outsider and with low self esteem, one measures himself by other people’s opinions. Being on the outside creates a deep sense of aloneness and alienation. There are a lot of books written about how we long to belong and not be separate from others. What is interesting however is that if the popular person of the clique decides later that being religious is what is cool, then others follow that lead. It is hard to live by one’s own standards and make choices without others approval. This is even more difficult for someone with low self esteem who was belittled as a child.

If fitting in with others doesn’t work, then drug addiction or substance abuse may be turned to in order to block things out about the rejection. This can also be seen as a solution after a divorce, relationship break up, fall out with a friend or in response to an ongoing family drama. Getting insight into the low self esteem is what is key to overcoming the makeshift solutions used to deal with it. Read more on
Alcoholic Behavior Patterns and Vicoden Addiction

Paula Abdul and Drug Addiction

I was really surprised to read about Paula Abdul admitting to prior drug addiction problems. In the past she has denied this. However, recently she mentioned that she was in rehab in November and really went through a lot during the withdrawal phase at La Costa Resort in California. She should be proud of this accomplishment.

Kelly Osbourne- Addiction Rehab Recovery

Kelly Osbourne has been in rehab 3 times and this time she feels it really made a difference. She wants to move beyond painkillers now and get more into her career and relationship. When did this problem start? She thought it was when she started taking liquid vicoden as an early teen for a health issue. Pain killer addiction is so common today and because people take it for a physical problem and see the internal relief, it can be quite addictive.

By recognizing that there may be a drug and alcohol addiction problem this can be the best step. I see people regularly in counseling who talk about how the pain killer pills would really seem to make the day easier physically. Later this will get generalized and applied to work stress, school anxiety, relationship problems and life issues. But inner tools are not learned this way that can be used to dissipate difficult and challenging times.

This is where breathing, exercise, yoga and techniquest to change your assumptions can be very useful. Then you can be free within life situations that are thrown at you.

Psychedelic Drugs: Can They Be Useful or Are They A Waste

I admit it. I’m a child of the sixties and when I was growing up, the interest in drugs like pot, lsd and mushrooms was about higher consciousness and opening doors of thinking , not getting zoned out, wasted or trashed. It may have been the crowd I was in, but it was an intellectual crowd in high school and everyone was talking about the Vietnam War, Maharaji and Herman Hesse. There was an atmosphere of questioning and not wanting to end up in the suburbs like our families.

So, what does that mean in terms of drug experimentation? I did try pot and mushrooms and found my consciousness was expanded. BUT, I didn’t do these regularly and loved reading books by Herman Hesse and Alan Watts. In college, Be Here Now by Ram Dass was popular. He was a Harvard Professor who did lsd over 100 times and found his teacher in India. Ultimately, he became much more involved in eastern practices and didn’t see drugs as a “path” you could practice. Still, I think there needs to be some reflections on the fact that certain drugs do open doors to questioning the normal routines, usual sense of ego and remove blockages. This is only temporary and of course, not true of all drugs. Some people want to close their perception through drugs rather than open it. Drug Addiction Information is important to study as people can ruin their lives, but if there is a genuine search for truth that drove you to drugs, then don’t throw the baby out with the bath water, but use this to go deeper into prayer, the church, temple, meditation or a spiritual path that clicks for you.

Addictions: Do You Have to Give In to the Urge

There is some sense of having to give in when you have an urge to drink or do drugs- but you don’t. We have the power to pause, evaluate and then decide. Our past helps us to see mistakes we’ve made and this can qualify every experience that we encounter now. You can learn from the past. Did having an anger outburst help you before? If you’ve ever had tantrums, you see that it isn’t fruitful.

The same is true about coping with challenges by using drugs or alcohol. Does it really stop the situation? Does it really resolve things? How much does it now complicate things because people are angry with you, you are late, you disappointed someone etc etc. Try to keep all of this in mind when you think that a drink or smoking can resolve something. It is sooo temporary. It won’t last long. You may even not be able to relax with the booze or the pot etc because it is still haunting you.

Facing things really is easier. When you face something you can be empowered. You make decisions and you get rid of that nagging sense you are running. An effective drug addiction solution makes you feel good rather than sneaky or about to be caught. You’ll feel actually like you are doing something good for yourself (like eating a meal rather than just getting fried foods).

Keep A Journal to Get Insights Into Drug Abuse

Keeping a journal is a great way to gain insight into what situations and people may be what creates a sense of stress and triggers the need to get high or change one’s state through using drugs.

It is like you get your buttons pushed and then have to do something to not feel it. This doesn’t have to be the case. There are effective coping strategies to deal with irritating people, challenging situations and tough days. But first it helps to write about things so you see what grips you.

You can write about the situation and try to see if falls into certain categories like jealousy, rejection, disappointment, unresolved family issues, career stress etc. Once you start identifying things they get better because they aren’t as big as they look when you break them down.

If it is jealousy, now you know have named it and it can be addressed by therapy, speaking with friends and self-reflection. When it is a disappointment, go a little further. Ask yourself what did you expect from people and the situations. Maybe the world won’t measure up to what you are asking? Is that ok? Or can you find another situation that is a better fit? Taking the time to look deeply at things help them just be a big, heavy weight on your chest. Instead they are part of the puzzle that is you. Stop by Motivation to Stop Addiction for tools to stop the past patterns.

Alcopops are Not Innocent

Alcopops are sweet beverages but they are deceptive as they have 5-7 percent alcohol. They are actually not innocent fruity drinks by any stretch of the imagination. It’s good to question your kids about these sweetened drinks in case they are drinking them. Sadly, manufacturers are playing into young teens and college students who don’t like the taste of beer and want it more palatable.

Read more about Teens and Alcopops to get informed about this. In Illinois they are banning in kids’ games alcopop depictions-this includes Boone’s Farms and Smirnoff’s. These are called “girlie drinks” sometimes but they are higher in alcohol than most people realize.

Addiction Denial: Are You Acting Like Rod Blagojevich By Denying The Problem

The public seems to be surprised by Rod Blagojevich and his repeated denial of the truth that is apparent about the scandal due to the evidence of wire tapping. How different is this than the response you might get when you discuss How to Stop Drinking or facing drug addiction to someone?

The out and out denial and often a self-righteous claim that the truth will be found is so similar to that of a binge drinking problem. Blagojevich has multiple tapings made about the corruption , everyone urging him to resign and the count for impeachment was over 100 to 0. Yet he continues his fight to stay in office and to contradict the obvious evidence of his guilt.

With drug addiction and drinking problems sometimes an Alcoholic Intervention gets the addict to see he really does have a problem, despite all his denials, excuses and blame throwing.

With all the news media coverage, this is a public type of intervention in a way, but it seems to be having the result of him Blagojevich digging in his heels in this “I will continue to fight” stance despite the exposure of the corruption, evidence about profit from trying to sell Obama’s seat in senate and denial of other misconduct that is exposed.

Persistence is a great quality when tied to truth but when it is just a form of intimidation based on lying it is pig-headedness.

The behavior is similar to someone that has an addiction they just can’t let go of or admit despite facts that show otherwise. Let go of defensiveness and your life can change for the better.

How to Deal with Adolescent Drug Rehab Issues

At the clinic I work at, I see many teenagers turning to pot and cocaine as well as cutting to deal with pain. Only a small percentage go to adolescent drug rehab programs. As I discuss the issues with them at the psychotherapy sessions, the main issues seem to revolve around tensions with friends, boyfriends, family conflicts and academic pressures.

It is easy to think a teen’s worries are insignificant and to tell them worrying about a boyfriend at age fourteen isn’t important. But, it is to a teen and adults alike, rejection can be very painful. As adults we are often good at building defenses and a wall, but many teens are vulnerable. Plus, they don’t have many of the outlets that adults have when things are stressful and creating inner anxiety. For instance, as an adult, we can jump in the car and take a ride, drive to the mall to shop, plan a girls night out to forget trouble etc. A teenager often can’t drive and has limited escape options for mental health. There isn’t the luxury of running to a pilates class or getting a massage to try to regain mental peace.

Of course, teens do have escape routes like anyone else to diffuse stress such as the internet, cell phone calls, texting and listening to music. Still, if the issues revolve around their friends or dates, many of the same people are interacting and it may just re-inforce the painfulness of the original interaction. If there is additional strain with the family then there just may not be any way it seems to feel good. Plus cell phones are often what are taken away when a teen is grounded so then they have no contact with friends. Adolescent drug rehab can help if the problem gets out of control. If it is occassional use, it’s important to help the person find other ways to feel good which can include exercise that releases endorphins, creative activities like drawing and music or relaxation techniques through tai-chi, meditation and yoga. Counseling is important and if you are in counseling yourself, a non threatening way to bring in your teen is to have them go with you to your session and see that it is not as scary as they thought.

If there are family pressures that are the source of the drug problem, brainstorm about an aunt or uncle that the teen can visit for a weekend to just get a new environment. This can help to get a break from each other. It often is hard for teens to open up and one way that is useful for parents is to talk about oneself honestly and an issue that one had and overcame. Don’t be preachy or give a lecture but talk about your own vulnerability, how you felt stuck and the difficult points. This is often why al-anon, aa and other twelve step groups work well because people are able to hear others experiences and understand their process, insights and trials. You gain perspective when you hear others with teens and alcohol concerns and also wisdom when you see how others deal with it successfully.

What Are the Effects of Alcoholism on Yourself and Family

Drinking effects both yourself and others. A great motivator is to think about how you want your life to be when you are older. What activities do you hope to be able to do when you get more free time? The effects on one’s liver and general health can really grow in time. If a group of people that are concerned about you held an Alcoholic Intervention and you’ve ignored it, take a little time to reflect on what they wanted you to hear.

Also, what are you missing now in your kids’ lives? You may be with them but the effects of alcoholism can make you less present than you’d be otherwise. They’ll sense you aren’t really participating. These years shape them and their choices in relationship partners, their self-esteem and belief in themselves.

I’ve had a lot of clients in my therapy practice that are children of alcoholics. Some drink and some don’t. Sometimes kids imitate their parents and end up in adolescent drug rehab. The ones that don’t drink all have stories and strong memories of their childhoods. They may not have resentment, but they talk about times when their recitals or sports games were skipped by their parent who was unable to go. Some also speak about how they didn’t really think they could acheive since their mom or dad didn’t do much with his or her life. This of course, isn’t always the case. Some kids decide to be opposite of their parents. They may though get involved with someone who has an addiction and they can be the savior in relation to.

Learn more about Effects of Alcoholism and break free by believing in your higher potential.