lack of social contact may also be a barrier to overcoming an addiction

Many people may choose to spend large amounts of time on their own, maybe feeling that they prefer it that way, however humans are naturally social and our social contacts can have a huge impact on how we feel about ourselves and the world in general.  Having close friends and family has been shown to be good for mental health and encourages people to strive to do better and reach for goals. 

But on the flip side of this, not having many social contacts, or being socially isolated, whether through choice or circumstance, can have a very negative impact on an individuals well-being, and research has found it can even lead to them engaging in risky behaviours such as drug taking (Science Daily, 2021).

One study conducted recently has found, using rat studies, that during adolescence, those without regular social contact were significantly more vulnerable to addiction to amphetamine and alcohol compared to rats with social contact.  These result help show how important being socially engaged with others can be in encouraging positive decision making and avoidance of risks.

But in addition to this, the researchers also found that lack of social contact may also be a barrier to overcoming an addiction; with the rats who didn't have social interaction being much harder to extinguish the addiction in.

Findings such as these only help provide support for what many of us know innately; that being connected with people and engaging in social activities can help keep us healthy, or motivate us to move towards healthier behaviours.  But without the support and love of others, people may not only find themselves drifting into addiction, but may find that no matter which detox programme they attend, they may never be able to free themselves of addiction.

Science Daily.  (2021).  Socially isolated rats are more vulnerable to addiction, reports researchers.  Sourced from: http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2020/01/130123165040.htm

Published by on 01/02/2020.

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