Emotional Neglect: A Common Addiction Trigger

photo of a man standing alone

There are many different approaches to addiction treatment. But, studies have shown that the most successful ones do more than simply alter superficial behaviors and temporarily mitigate the symptoms of withdrawal. Treatment methodologies that aim to understand and address the underlying causes and triggers of addiction are almost always the most profoundly impactful.

Given that, many addiction specialists work with clients to explore their personal relationships since many people who have experienced chronic emotional neglect turn to drugs and alcohol later in life.

But what is emotional neglect? Simply put, this occurs when someone is unable to provide the affection and emotional support that is needed.

In adults, some of the symptoms of emotional neglect include:

  • Feeling numb to your feelings
  • Being easily discouraged
  • Continually experiencing low self-esteem
  • Holding yourself up to unrealistic standards
  • Experiencing extreme self-doubt

If you are on a journey towards sobriety and identify with one or more of these symptoms of emotional neglect, it may be helpful to speak with your addiction recovery team to see if there is a connection. Because, there are ways you can empower yourself, move forward and protect your sobriety.

After consulting your addiction recovery team, here are a few strategies you might consider:

(1) Embrace what you are feeling. If you’ve spent your life trying to escape from your emotions using drugs or alcohol to numb those feelings, it may seem foreign at first. But, a healthy first step is to simply embrace the full range of human emotions. If you don’t feel comfortable expressing those thoughts with others, try journaling and simply spend a few moments each day to reflect on your experiences.

(2) Reflect on what you want. If you’ve experienced emotional neglect, you may have fallen into destructive relationships and put the needs of others before your own. Think about what you want and what you deserve in close relationships with friends and family members. That can help shape the connections that you make moving forward.

(3) Be compassionate with yourself. You can’t change the past and simply ruminating on what happened won’t change anything. Focus on creating a more positive future for yourself moving forward.

Individual Therapy at 10 Acre Ranch

In some cases, private therapy sessions may also be needed to delve into relapse motivation, addiction history, and coexisting diagnoses. To learn more about our Southern California men’s rehab facility or request individual therapy information, submit a confidential inquiry today. Call 877-228-4679 to learn more.

4 “Go-To” Stress Management Strategies That Really Work

Sometimes “life” happens. Things like excruciatingly slow traffic during rush hour, disagreements with your significant other about finances, long lines at airport security and, well, you get the picture. Even with the best of intentions, everybody experiences stressful situations from time to time.

While you can’t control what happens, you can control how you react to certain situations, toxic people and uncomfortable events. And, being mindful about how you react under pressure is especially important for those on a journey to sober living since stress and anxiety are usually at the top of the list of addiction triggers.

But, there are proven strategies you can use to manage anxiety, reduce your risk of relapse and protect your sobriety. Here are four ways you can address stressful situations in a more productive way.

(1) Reach out to someone. If you start to get stressed out or anxious about your future, the simple act of talking to a friend or family member can work wonders. They can offer an objective perspective and possibly even share how they have dealt with similar issues in their past.

(2) Hit the gym. Exercise offers one of the most powerful forms of stress relief. It has been scientifically proven to lower stress hormones like adrenaline and cortisol, while boosting your body’s feel-good neurotransmitters.

(3) Focus on the solution – not the problem. It’s a natural response when something bad happens to think “Why me?” and concentrate on the negative aspects of your life. But, is that going to change anything? Take a moment to accept your feelings and transition into a more positive mind-set. Start to concentrate on the possibilities – and the solutions to the problem at hand to move forward.

(4) See the big picture. When you’re confronted with a stressful situation, it’s all too easy to blow the situation out of proportion. Instead, take a breath and reset your focus. How important is this issue in the long run – is this just a temporary set-back?

Discover Healthy Coping Habits for Stress Management

At 10 Acre Ranch, our focus is on treating the whole person throughout their passage from addiction to sobriety. As part of this holistic approach, we offer stress management group therapy which provides the social support, coping, and problem-solving skills needed to deal with stress in a more constructive way. To learn more about our CA men’s rehab program and how we can help, call 10 Acre Ranch at (877) 228-4679 today.