Alcohol is not notorious for its ability to solve problems. Therefore, it may seem counter-intuitive that people would turn to alcohol when suffering from anxiety. Yet, seeking release is a natural behavior for any person, especially people seeking shelter from their worries. Leaving anxiety untreated dramatically increases the chances of addiction and substance abuse. Of these substances, alcohol is one of the most common.
With someone going through an episode of anxiety or panic, each minute can feel like hours. Anxious people’s minds are on overload with fear, worry, and guilt as thoughts race through their heads, without the opportunity to process them. These episodes of intense sadness or panic render an individual willing to do anything to make the feelings stop. This desperation is where alcohol makes its move. Turning to alcohol does not mean that a person is dumb or that they aren’t aware of the potential consequences of their actions. Instead, the person needs help and feels so lost and desperate inside their own head that they don’t know where to get it. They are willing to try anything to escape from their own minds.
A Short-Term Solution for Long-Lasting Issues
Unfortunately, alcohol is a quick and short-term way to sedate intense emotions. It also comes with damaging long-term side effects, and using alcohol in this way can quickly unravel a person’s mental health. After all, the short-term sedation of their own mind is what they after. To this end, they are willing to trade away their long-term wellbeing.
Identifying and addressing these issues before they become a habit is paramount. We must learn safe practices to deal with anxiety before dangerous substance abuse habits have time to form. Alcohol and stress are intrinsically linked, especially in times of crisis. Addressing only an alcohol addiction without acknowledging the underlying anxieties that drive it will leave a person only partially healed. For comprehensive mental health treatment, both issues need to be addressed simultaneously.
At Alta Loma Transformational Living, you will meet knowledgeable, compassionate professionals that understand addiction in all its forms. Alta Loma uses an integrative and holistic approach to treat addiction and mental health issues. No treatment is one-size-fits-all, where you will have a team of experts prepared to create your customized treatment plan. We offer care for your mind, body, and spirit, so that you can heal from the inside out and look forward to a lifetime of sobriety and wellness. If you are ready to take the first step in your recovery, please call us at 866-457-3843.
