Do you feel like a loner, hermit, or lone wolf these days? Ironically, you’re not alone in having these feelings. The World Health Organization (WHO) reports that 1 in 6 people worldwide are currently experiencing loneliness and social isolation. As social isolation becomes more widespread, it leads to a whole host of health challenges. And among those, social isolation and addiction are often interconnected.
What is Social Isolation?
According to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), 1 in 3 American adults feel lonely, and 1 in 4 don’t have social and emotional support. Like the rest of the world, social isolation and loneliness is taking its toll here in the US, too. So what is social isolation, exactly?
The CDC describes social isolation as when you don’t have relationships or contact with others, leading to little to no social support. On the other hand, loneliness means you feel alone or disconnected from others, like you don’t have a sense of belonging. In a sense, social isolation and loneliness are two different things, but they both can lead to similar consequences.
Social isolation can happen to anyone, regardless of your personality or level of charisma, according to Healthline.com. Various circumstances can lead you to feel socially isolated, such as:
- Recovering from pregnancy on maternity leave
- Breaking up with a long-time partner and losing your community as a result
- Moving to a new city
- Retiring after being at the same company for decades
- Starting a new job
- Going to a new school
There are several factors that have led to an increase in social isolation in the United States. According to Boston College, research shows that people spend less time with friends and family than previous generations did. The same goes for time spent volunteering with others. Demographic trends are also playing a role, as people today are marrying less, having fewer children, and living farther away from family.
Social Isolation Symptoms and Consequences
It’s possible to have solitude and live alone without socially isolating yourself. In fact, some regular alone time can help rejuvenate you, especially if you’re introverted. So what does social isolation look like? Here are some common social isolation symptoms and signs:
- Avoiding social interactions, especially those you previously enjoyed
- Feeling distressed during stretches of solitude
- Feeling dread about social activities
- Regularly canceling plans and feeling relief when you do so
- Experiencing anxiety or panic when thinking about social interactions
- Spending sizable time alone
- Experiencing extremely limited contact with others
SOURCE: Tulane University
Long-Term Social Isolation Effects
Experiencing social isolation for an extended period of time doesn’t just deprive you of friends or a full social calendar. Its effects can damage your mental and physical health. Some of the potential consequences of social isolation include:
- Increased risk for depression and suicide
- Heart disease
- Elevated stress levels
- Brain functioning changes
- Antisocial behavior
- Increased alcohol and substance use
- Poorer physical health
SOURCE: Verywellmind.com
The Link Between Social Isolation and Addiction
Among long-term social isolation effects, one of the most consequential is substance abuse and addiction. As the definition of social isolation includes a lack of social and emotional support, it can be incredibly difficult to cope with negative feelings and situations on your own. Friends and family in many ways provide a natural — and vital — support system for you to get through hard times. You don’t have to go it alone with others in your corner.
But if you’re socially isolated, you won’t have this natural support system in place. When negative feelings (including loneliness) arise, it’s easy to seek out substances like drugs or alcohol to cope. And when you don’t have anyone around to keep you accountable or point out problematic behavior, your continued self-medication can lead to addiction. Once this happens, you’re doubly struggling with addiction and loneliness together. At this point, both internalized shame and the stigma of addiction can keep you isolated and prevent you from getting help.
On the other hand, social isolation is also a typical symptom of addiction. As you become addicted to a substance, your addiction consumes your life. Relationships you once prioritized and enjoyed take a back seat to your substance abuse. You start missing out on activities with family and friends, and even your favorite hobbies are no longer meaningful. Social isolation is also one of the main addiction triggers that can lead to relapse once you’re in recovery. As you were so used to socially isolating yourself during your substance abuse, experiencing it again can lead to unhealthy coping mechanisms and cravings.
Alcohol and Drug Addiction Treatment in New England
If you’ve found yourself struggling with substance abuse and addiction — whether you’re socially isolated or not — we can help at Sana at Stowe. Our New England-based treatment center provides holistic, compassionate drug and alcohol addiction treatment for those looking to reclaim their lives. Not only do we address the root causes of your struggles, we also equip you with healthy self soothing techniques you can use to stay the course in your sobriety. To start your recovery alongside a community of people ready to support you, call us today.
