The Link Between Anger Management and Addiction
Addiction is both a cause and a result of anger, and poor anger management can be a major roadblock to recovery.
Anger is a strong emotion characterized by a strong sense of dissatisfaction, disapproval, or aggression. Anger is a natural feeling that everyone experiences from time to time, and when expressed in a healthy way, it is often a justifiable response.
Poor anger management, on the other hand, can have a number of serious ramifications for an individual and their loved ones, particularly when addiction is involved.
Anger can be triggered by a variety of factors, including boundaries being breached or unresolved trauma. Whatever the reason, developing healthy ways to deal with anger is critical to avoiding substance abuse-related problems that arise or intensify as a result of inadequate anger management.
Domestic Violence and Addiction
Anger is frequently linked to substance abuse problems. Children who grow up in families where there is a lot of anger and violence are more likely to grow up to be violent and use drugs.
Children who witness domestic abuse may experience the following symptoms, according to the American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry:
- Depression
- Anxiety
- Anger
- Bullying or fighting
- Low self-confidence
- Abuse of drugs and alcohol
- Inadequate academic performance
- Withdrawal from social situations
- Oppositional or rebellious behavior
Witnessing domestic abuse or parental drug misuse when children are still developing personality traits and social skills can produce trauma, which can influence their personality.
In many situations of adolescent substance abuse disorders, the earlier someone starts experimenting with dangerous chemicals, the more problems they will face as they grow older.
This pattern can continue throughout adulthood, causing more problems down the road.
A final point to consider is the impact of domestic violence on individuals. If a wife is being physically abused by her husband, she may begin to use illicit substances or alcohol to combat sadness, anxiety, and other forms of mental suffering if she is not ready to leave.
The Cycle of Anger and Addiction
Although rage is a healthy emotion, someone who is struggling with a substance use problem may find it difficult to manage in healthy ways. Someone who abuses alcohol, for example, may react with extreme rage depending on the situation.
On the other hand, someone may overuse alcohol to relieve anger, which often has the opposite impact. Drugs and alcohol can further disrupt and increase feelings of rage, regardless of the sequence in which they arise from anger or substance addiction.
Without recognizing it, people can easily get into a cycle of anger and substance misuse or use substances to cope with their anger.
As a result, this combination can aggravate the condition of someone who abuses substances while also jeopardizing relationships. Someone can acquire transitory mental or emotional problems in response to rage, such as sadness, anxiety, nervous breakdowns, and feelings of hopelessness.
A cycle may begin when the person consumes substances to cope with the repercussions.
Finding appropriate ways to express anger can be difficult. Individuals may become more aggressive or experiment with different drugs in search of a better high.
Proactive and Healthy Anger Management
The way a person handles anger might determine whether or not they live a healthy or unhealthy lifestyle. Denying anger can lead to feelings of frustration or irritability, which can have a negative impact on many aspects of one’s life.
A healthy strategy to cope with this emotion can help to lower the risk of substance abuse. People can manage anger in a constructive and healthy way by doing the following:
- Journaling
- Professional meditation or talking with a loved one
- Using humor to de-stress
- Taking up a creative pastime
- Exercising
- Healthy distractions
- Self-awareness and understanding of triggers
Unresolved anger can also lead to shattered relationships, poor mental performance, and emotional wounds, all of which can lead to substance misuse.
The Highs and Lows of Anger and Addiction
When released in a healthy way, anger may be empowering and healing, but it can also be addictive.
Some people have the same reaction from rage as those who seek thrills for the adrenaline rush. People can become hooked on the endorphins released when they are angry. Individuals may feel nervous or depressed once the “high” wears off, as it does with all “highs.”
This can lead to a person seeking thrills through drugs. Cocaine and other stimulants can create excitement and promote feelings of euphoria, which can be used as a substitute for anger. If a person can no longer obtain their preferred substance, he or she may revert to anger or establish an emotional support habit.
Get Help for Anger Issues and Addiction
Anger management and addiction are not things you should try to handle on your own. Get help from qualified professionals who can create a tailored treatment plan for your individual needs.
At Addiction Rehab Treatment, we specialize in developing treatment plans that work for the individual as a whole. Get in touch with us today to see how we can help you.