Why do young adults turn to substances? The reasons vary greatly, but for many, social anxiety is a significant factor. Young adults may turn to drugs and alcohol to self-medicate and ease the discomfort that social anxiety causes. This can not only lead to addiction but is not a solution that gets to the root of any issues that are present. We’re going to explore the link between addiction and social anxiety and provide information on how Ember Recovery can help treat both conditions that young people are facing.
What is Social Anxiety?
Social anxiety is a mental health condition that causes a person to feel nervous, tense, or physically ill in situations where they feel as though others may judge them.[1] These include parties, work settings, meeting new people, dating, or interacting with a store cashier. People who experience social anxiety may also experience symptoms when doing everything things. These could be things such as eating or drinking in front of others because they are afraid of being judged or rejected.
Symptoms of Social Anxiety Disorder
Symptoms people with social anxiety disorder may experience include:[2]
- Sweating
- Trembling
- Dizziness
- Shortness of Breath
- Stomach pains
- Racing heartbeat
These symptoms, coupled with the fears that social anxiety can cause, can make it difficult to go to school, work, and accomplish everyday tasks. People may also avoid certain situations because they know the anxiety they will cause.
The Link Between Addiction and Social Anxiety
The mental, emotional, and physical pain that having a social anxiety disorder can cause leads some young people to turn to substances as a means of self-medication. Research shows that people with a social anxiety disorder are more likely to also develop a substance use disorder.[3] In fact, nearly 20% of people who have a social anxiety disorder also have a co-occurring alcohol use disorder.[4]
Another interesting statistic to look at is that almost 80% of people with both social anxiety disorder and a substance use disorder had the social anxiety disorder before they developed the alcohol use disorder.[5] This is because young adults turn to drugs and alcohol to try to forget about their social anxiety. But these substances only provide a temporary fix. Alcohol can temporarily lower anxiety levels and inhibitions. When this happens, people can do things that are embarrassing, leading to more social anxiety as they remember what they did.
Substance Use as A Coping Mechanism
Young people with social anxiety may think that using substances makes them more fun to be around. So, while they are under the influence, they may gain more confidence, but that wears off when the effects of the substances they are using wear off.
For those who experience negative emotions when put in a social situation, using drugs to feel “high” can erase those feelings for a short time. They soon realize that they have to continue using those substances to maintain those feelings, leading to addiction.
Social Anxiety and Peer Pressure
Peer pressure also plays a role in social anxiety and substance use disorders. Since those with social anxiety have a fear of being judged, they may feel as though they have to drink or do drugs to fit in with the crowd. Doing so can avoid negative judgment from friends but can also lead to addiction if they are constantly pressured to use different substances.
When the effects of the substances wear off, people are still left with their social anxiety. This creates a vicious cycle of using more substances to try to ease the pain.
How to Manage Social Anxiety Without Substances
There are several things that young people can do to manage social anxiety without using substances.
Exercise
Exercise can help deal with social anxiety because it reduces stress and provides a productive outlet for emotions that can lead to bad choices.
Spend Time in Nature to Mitigate Addiction and Social Anxiety
Spending time in nature can help reduce anxiety. By focusing on the beauty of nature around you, you can try to stop the negative thoughts causing your anxiety. Research shows that a 90-minute walk in nature can lower activity in the part of the brain that is linked to negative thoughts.[6]
Get Enough Sleep
Make sure to get enough sleep each night. This can help regulate emotions that can lead to social anxiety and improve overall health.
Practice Meditation and Deep Breathing
By meditating and practicing deep breathing exercises, you can better learn to be present and live in the moment. This can help prevent the mind from wandering to scenarios that lead to social anxiety.
Talk to a Friend About Your Addiction and Social Anxiety
Talk to someone about your anxiety. Talking about your anxiety can provide a support network, whether it’s a friend or family member. This network can also help you cope with your anxiety positively. Many people with social anxiety feel like they are alone. Knowing there is someone there to listen can help to alleviate some of your anxiety.
If you or a loved one are using substances as a way to deal with social anxiety, it is best to seek treatment. Through therapy and other techniques, people can learn how to effectively deal with their social anxiety without relying on drugs and alcohol.
Seek Help for Substance Use Disorders at Ember Recovery
When a young adult is dealing with social anxiety and substance use, the two must be treated together. Ember Recovery provides this dual diagnosis treatment to help teens and young adults understand their social anxiety and cope with the symptoms while learning to live a sober life. Without treating both conditions simultaneously, a patient can never truly recover from both.
At Ember Recovery, we use individualized treatment plans incorporating evidence-based modalities, such as group and family therapy, to support recovery and healing.
Contact an Ember Recovery staff member today to learn more about our dual diagnosis treatment for teens and young adults.
Sources:
[1] https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/publications/social-anxiety-disorder-more-than-just-shyness [2] https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/social-anxiety-disorder/symptoms-causes/syc-20353561 [3] https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC2904966/ [4] https://adaa.org/understanding-anxiety/social-anxiety-disorder/social-anxiety-and-alcohol-abuse [5] https://www.cambridge.org/core/journals/psychological-medicine/article/abs/social-anxiety-disorder-and-alcohol-use-disorder-comorbidity-in-the-national-epidemiologic-survey-on-alcohol-and-related-conditions/D2E84E6B59EB8023D6C3DD162874630D [6] https://www.heart.org/en/healthy-living/healthy-lifestyle/stress-management/spend-time-in-nature-to-reduce-stress-and-anxiety
Andrea Dickerson is a Licensed Therapist and Certified Substance Use Counselor who has worked in behavioral health since 1997. Currently, Andrea is the Director of Behavioral Health, overseeing the Ember residential treatment programs and YSS outpatient counseling clinics throughout Central and North Central Iowa. She became a Motivational Interviewing (MI) trainer in 2006 and provides MI trainings throughout Iowa.
Andrea specializes in working with adolescents and their families and enjoys seeing the family relationships grow through therapy. Andrea is also a CARF International Surveyor, going around North America ensuring behavioral health organizations are meeting required standards.
In her free time, Andrea enjoys cheering on the Iowa Hawkeyes and Chicago Cubs, as well as being an active member of Soroptimist International of the Americas (SIA), a global organization that provides women and girls with access to the education and training they need to achieve economic empowerment. She has been a member of the SI of Des Moines club since 2012 and has been actively involved at the regional level, currently serving as Co-Governor of the Peaks to Plains Region.
Through her involvement in SIA, Andrea has been actively involved in the Dream Programs, coordinating annual Dream It, Be It: Career Support for Girls projects, which give girls the tools they need to achieve their education and career goals, empowering them to break cycles of poverty, violence, and abuse.