The Real Victim in Substance Abuse
Understanding Substance Abuse: More Than Just a Bad Habit
Substance abuse is often perceived incorrectly as a series of poor decisions or moral failings, but in reality, it's a serious mental health condition that affects many individuals and families. Whether it's alcohol, prescription medication, or illicit drugs, the implications are dangerous for the individual as well as those around them as seen with many of my previous clients.
In this post, we’ll explore the symptoms and signs of substance use disorders, the ways in which they affect people's lives, and why addressing the root causes are so significant to breaking the cycle. Important UK-based support contacts will be presented at the end for anyone needing assistance.
What Is Substance Use Disorder?
Substance use disorder (SUD) is a mental health condition marked by a compulsive urge to use and abuse substances, despite knowing the harmful consequences. It can involve physical substances like alcohol, cannabis, cocaine, heroin, or prescription drugs such as benzodiazepines and opioids. Many people incorrectly assume it only includes illicit substances, however, even legal substances can be abused. Caffeine abuse disorder is one of the biggest shocks for many of my clients. This involves drinking more than 10 cups of coffee daily or the caffeine equivalent.
Key symptoms and characteristics include:
Intense cravings for the substance
Needing a higher quantity over time to get the same effect (tolerance)
Experiencing withdrawal symptoms when not using the substance
Neglecting responsibilities or relationships due to substance use
Repeated failed attempts to cut down or quit despite good intentions to do so
Continuing to use the substance despite disruptions to health, work, or personal life
Lying about the substance use or hiding the substance use from those in their social circle
How Substance Abuse Affects Lives and Relationships
Substance use often starts subtly and often with good intentions—maybe through social drinking, a way to cope with stress, or a prescription after surgery. Over time, however, what was once a choice can become a compulsion that is overwhelming.
People struggling with substance use might:
Isolate themselves or become secretive about their lives
Lose interest in hobbies or family activities
Show signs of mood swings, irritability, or depression
Experience problems with finances, employment, or legal issues
Experience breakdowns in relationships as well as trust issues
For family and friends, it can be often be a heartbreaking and confusing time to watch the substance user change before their eyes. Watching someone spiral while being unable to "just talk them out of it" or “fix them” often leads to feelings of helplessness, guilt, or anger. As many of my clients have experienced, if they speak up against it they become the enemy. If they don’t, they feel like they are not doing anything to help. It often feels like being between a rock and a hard place.
A Coping Mechanism for Deeper Pain
At its core, substance abuse is rarely just about the substance itself. Even though there is a chemical dependency, people often turn to substances as a way to manage unbearable emotions—grief, trauma, anxiety, depression, loneliness, or stress. It becomes a form of self-medication, a desperate attempt to ease mental health symptoms or escape distressing states. As long as the mental health issues persist, so to does the substance use.
Unfortunately, this can become a vicious cycle: the temporary relief is followed by consequences that worsen the very problems the person was trying to escape. Think of the person who tries dealing with their stress at work by going to drink alcohol. Not only do they wake up the next day to the same situation which is not improved, but they also have a low mood due to the hangover which may impact their mental functioning at work.
Why Therapy Must Focus on the Root Causes
Treatment is not simply about stopping the substance or learning self-control as too many people believe. It’s about understanding why the person started using the substance in the first place and helping them learn and develop healthier ways to cope and deal with these issues.
Therapy can help individuals:
Understanding, identifying and managing emotional triggers
Process trauma and attachment problems
Learn improved self-regulation and stress management skills
Improve self-esteem and identity separate from the substance use
Repair damaged relationships and reconnect with healthier support systems that do not enable or encourage further substance use
Learning and practicing ways in which to manage to cravings for the substance
Healing is about more than quitting substance use—it's about building a life that feels worth staying sober for. It’s about improving the areas of our lives that are calling for healing under the mask of substance abuse.
Substance Abuse Is a Sickness, Not a Moral Failure
It’s easy to assume that people with substance issues are being dishonest, manipulative, or lazy. It is important to remember that these behaviours are often symptoms of the illness, not intentional deceit. Addiction rewires the brain’s reward system, impairs judgement, and negatively impacts decision-making.
Understanding substance use as a mental health issue helps reduce stigma and opens the door to compassion, support, and appropriate care which truly improve the individual more than any craving-reduction strategy.
Support Services in the UK
If you or someone you love is struggling with substance abuse, there is help available.
Emergency:
If someone is at immediate risk, dial 999 or visit the nearest A&E.
Helplines and Support:
FRANK (Confidential Drug Advice): 0300 123 6600 | www.talktofrank.com
Alcoholics Anonymous (AA UK): 0800 9177 650 | www.alcoholics-anonymous.org.uk
Narcotics Anonymous (NA UK): 0300 999 1212 | www.ukna.org
Mind (Mental Health Support): 0300 123 3393 | www.mind.org.uk
Adfam (Support for Families): www.adfam.org.uk
You are not alone, and recovery is possible.
We’re Here to Support You Too
We welcome your questions. If you need guidance or have concerns about yourself or a loved one, feel free to reach out—we’re here to help in whatever way we can at Brandon Kayat Psychology.
Email us through our website: brandonkayatpsychology.com
