Understanding the Link Between Divorce and Addiction

Posted in
a man connecting the dots in his head about the connection between divorce and addiction

Navigating a divorce is a life-changing experience that is often clouded by the feeling of loss. Feelings of sorrow, pain, irritability, insecurity, and depression are not uncommon. Like other forms of loss, going through a divorce can feel overwhelming as you try to plan a future and redefine your life without your spouse. Considering the great toll this separation will take on you, it’s common to see a connection between divorce and addiction.

How Divorce and Addiction Are Related

Addictions are well known to be rooted in either physical or emotional pain. Because divorce can cause significant stress, there is an increased risk for substance abuse as a way to alleviate emotional pain and loss. While the use of alcohol to regulate emotions is not uncommon during times of stress, it can become a crutch for some people and can include the use of illicit drugs and pain killers as well. This is when addiction and divorce can combine to become a significant problem.

When addiction becomes part of the process of grieving, healing can become even more complex and challenging. That is why most treatment for addiction involves therapy approaches that get to the root of the problem; the focus isn’t only on trying to remove the source of the addiction.

Holistic Treatment Approaches to Addictive Behavior

While divorce does not always coincide with addiction, it is not uncommon to see a person become overwhelmed by the divorce process. This can leave them especially vulnerable to seeking relief in the form of alcohol or drugs. When this occurs, it can be helpful to get treatment at a comprehensive and empowering addiction treatment facility.

Through the help of a synergy of treatment approaches, you can begin to rebuild your life and your sense of self as you move on from your addiction and divorce and regain your identity. While most treatment facilities work at re-training addiction sufferers to think and react in more positive ways without the use of substance addiction, we find that using an integrated approach for battling addiction is vital for making a full recovery.

Treating the Body and Mind in Therapy

Treating addictions that are linked to emotional triggers are often best handled by a wide range of therapy approaches, such as:

When these therapy approaches are a part of a mind-body therapeutic strategy, the results are very positive. Addiction sufferers who learn to treat their mind and body simultaneously during times of pain and emotional stress have a better track record for living a life free from addiction. As addiction sufferers gain new vital lifelong coping skills to use during times of pain, trauma, and stressful situations, they have enhanced capabilities to live and thrive substance-free.

Body Therapy techniques that can be especially helpful include:

The good news for today’s addiction sufferers is there are solutions that can help patients improve their lives. You do not have to battle depression, sorrow, and substance abuse alone. At Kemah Palms Addiction Rehab Facility, people can empower themselves to live a healthy lifestyle free from addiction. The Kemah Palms substance abuse treatment program in Kemah, TX, offers addiction suffers life-long solutions for addiction through these wide-ranging therapeutic treatments. To learn more, give us a call today.