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Self Harm Addiction: How it Impacts Substance Use Disorders

Many people assume that self harm addiction and suicide are the same thing. They are not. The goal of suicide is death while self harm addiction is a coping mechanism for overwhelming emotions. Substance use disorder often co-occurs with self harm addiction. Does this increase the rates of suicide in California? 

What is Self Harm?

Self harm, or self-injury, happens when a person intentionally causes harm to oneself. It is not a mental disorder. Self harm is an unhealthy behavior used to cope with strong emotions. 

However, people who struggle with self harm have co-occurring mental health disorders. In fact many people become addicted to self harming themselves. People who have a co-occurring self  harm addiction and mental health disorder have a higher risk of attempting suicide if they don’t seek help.

Example of Self Harm 

People who engage in self harm typically do so in private. For many, it is a ceremonious event and done with intention. Examples of self harm include:

  • Cutting
  • Scratching
  • Burning
  • Carving things into the skin
  • Self-hitting, punching, headbanging
  • Stabbing the skin with sharp objects
  • Sticking stuff under the skin
  • Pulling hair out
  • Biting
  • Skin picking

The most common areas for self harm include the arms, legs, and chest. But, self harm can happen on any part of the body. Some people self harm a few times and stop. Others continue self harming themselves until they develop self harm addiction.  

What Causes Self Harm Addiction?

Each and every person needs a way to cope with emotions. People who self harm often cope with their emotions by hurting themselves. 

Common reasons why people self harm include: 

  • To process negative emotions
  • As a distraction from their negative feelings
  • To feel something when feeling numb
  • As a sense of control over their lives
  • As a punishment
  • An expression of embarrassing emotions

Why Do Self Harm and Addiction Often Co-Occur?

Positive coping skills help people manage overwhelming feelings, emotions, and situations. Negative coping skills, however, make things worse over time. 

Two of the most negative coping skills are self harm and addiction. Unfortunately, self harm can become an addiction in and of itself.  Substance abuse and self harm can also only offer short-term relief from anxiety, depression, and stress, as it ultaimtely only creates more pain in the future. 

A person who struggles with a mental health disorder such as depression, an eating disorder, or any sort of trauma is at an increased risk of developing a self harm addiction. Self harm issues issues also increase the risk that a person will start abusing substances and  develop a substance use disorder.

Does Substance Use Lead to Self Harm?

Using substances such as opioids and alcohol can lead to self harm. Depending on the level of intoxication, a person who self harms can lose control and cause more harm than intended. This can lead to unintentional suicide. 

Alcohol and Self-Harm Addiction

There is a link between alcohol use and self harm addiction. In fact, the more alcohol a person drinks, the higher their risk of self harm, in general, is. Drinking alcohol can lead to dangerous behaviors such as:

  • Aggression – starting fights
  • Mood instability – emotional outbursts
  • Poor judgment – driving under the influence and unprotected sex

These effects are unfortunately also a strong foundation for self harm. People who struggle with self harm addiction and alcohol use disorder typically struggle with healthy coping skills.

Stimulants and Self-Harm Addiction

Stimulants help people feel more energized, focused, and alert. Stimulants are also often euphoric. Examples of stimulants include cocaine, methamphetamines, and prescription medications for attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). 

Like with alcohol, many people abuse stimulants with the intention of self harming themselves.

Stimulants can even encourage self harm during and after use. A person “high” on stimulants can have hallucinations, delusional thinking, and paranoia. These effects can cause a break from reality and the desire to self harm.

People “crashing” or coming down from their stimulant high can also spark them to self harm. People who self harm often experience extreme hopelessness and depression. These feelings can lead to suicidal thoughts.

Self-Harm and Opioids

Opioids include pain medications and the illicit substance heroin. Opioid addiction can cause people to lose interest in fun things, have extreme lows after an initial high, and have poor judgment. Opioids themselves though produce pleasurable feelings due to their release of endorphins. 

These same endorphins from opioid use may also be released during self harm addiction. Hence, the link between opioids and self harm addiction. 

Self Harm and the Risk of Suicide

Although self harm and suicide are different, there is a strong link between the two. For example, the more a person self harms, the higher the risk of suicide becomes. In fact, people who self harm 20 or more times a day increases their risk of suicide by 3.5 times. 

Self harm addiction can also lead to suicide when people that self harm lose total control of their emotions and behaviors. Being under the influence, for example, can cause self harm to go too far, leading to fatal injuries or suicide. 

Statistics on Self Harm Addiction and Suicide 

Substance addiction is a recognized risk factor of self-harming and vice versa. In fact, almost 1 in 5 people in treatment for self harm addiction also admit to using drugs or alcohol when self harming. This is especially true in adolescence. 

Suicide is one of the leading causes of death in the U.S. period. It is the 10th leading cause of death among all age groups and the 2nd leading cause among people ages 10-34. In fact, a person dies from suicide about every 12 minutes.

According to various studies, 25 percent of people with an addiction commit suicide. Additionally, more than 50 percent of suicides are associated with drug and alcohol dependence. In adolescence, however, the rate of associated suicide and substance use and dependency is over 70 percent. 

Warning Signs Someone with an Addiction is Self-Harming

It is easy to recognize an addiction when someone is always intoxicated or nursing a hangover. But, people often isolate themselves from friends and family when they are using. For this reason, knowing the behavioral signs of an addiction ,in general, is crucial.

Behavioral changes include:

  • Problems at work or school – poor attendance, missing deadlines
  • Lack of energy or motivation
  • Isolating from friends and family
  • Lack of interest in hobbies
  • Lack of self-care
  • Risky behaviors when intoxicated
  • Money issues due to buying drugs or alcohol
  • Obsessing over drugs or alcohol
  • Withdrawal symptoms
  • Stealing
  • Lying

Because substance addiction is linked to self harm, it’s crucial to know the signs of a substance use disorder. Self harm signs include the following:

  • Fresh cuts, bruises, scratches, bite marks.
  • Scars
  • Excessive pulling at the skin
  • Always holding sharp objects
  • Wearing long sleeves or pants in hot weather
  • Frequent accidental injuries
  • Few or no deep relationships
  • Unpredictable, impulsive, emotionally unstable
  • Talking about feelings of hopelessness or worthlessness

I Suffer from a Substance Addiction and Self-Harming; What Do I Do?

You can feel lost when it comes to helping someone with a substance addiction who is also self-harming. It can feel like an endless downward spiral if you are struggling with addiction and co-occurring self-harm addiction yourself. 

There is help though. The first step is talking to someone, whether a family member, a friend or a professional. Then it is time to find a dual diagnosis treatment center that meets your needs. 

A dual diagnosis treatment center like Harmony Place in Los Angeles, California, simultaneously treats addiction and mental and behavioral health issues. Whether your self harm addiction leads to your substance use disorder or the other way around, recovery is available.

Treatment of Self Harm Addiction and Substance Use Disorders

Self-harm addiction and substance use disorders are the result of poor coping skills. When you enter dual diagnosis treatment, various therapies are used to treat the issues at hand simultaneously. 

Psychotherapy

Psychotherapy, or individual therapy, is when you meet with a therapist one-on-one. During these therapy sessions, you discuss your issues with addiction, self harm, and history of trauma and abuse. 

The goals of psychotherapy include:

  • Understanding triggers of self harm and addiction
  • Learning stress management tools
  • Learn healthy coping skills
  • Promoting healthy relationships
  • Learning to manage emotional changes

Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy

Cognitive-behavioral therapy, or CBT, is frequently used in treating self harm addiction and substance use disorders. It is beneficial in reducing unwanted behaviors. 

The concept of CBT is that unhealthy behaviors such as self harm are learned coping skills that need to be unlearned. CBT aims to: 

  • Identify negative thoughts, feelings, and emotions that are linked to self-harm and addiction 
  • Establish strategies to avoid addiction triggers
  • Build new healthy coping skills

CBT also addresses other co-occurring mental health disorders such as anxiety, depression, and eating disorders. 

Dialectical Behavioral Therapy

Dialectical behavioral therapy or DBT was originally used to treat borderline personality disorder. However, it is also highly beneficial in treating self harm addiction and substance use disorders. 

DBT helps people:

  • Regulate emotions
  • Build mindfulness and awareness
  • Strengthen relationships
  • Manage stressful situations

DBT is used in individual and group therapies. It effectively reduces depression, hopelessness, anger, self-harm, and suicidal thoughts. Besides treating self harm and addiction, DBT improves self-awareness and supports mental health. 

Relapse Prevention and Support Groups

Relapse prevention and aftercare are crucial after treatment for self harm addiction. Building a healthy support system for self harm recovery means attending self-harm and addiction support groups. This helps reduce the urge to self-harm or use drugs and alcohol while making healthy connections.

Rate of Suicide in California

In 2018, only four states had lower suicide rates than California. The national average of suicide rates is 13.4 percent, while California’s is 10.7 percent. This means 4,436 people committed suicide in California. 

Unfortunately, the rates of suicide continue to rise. But, people are still afraid to talk about it. If you or someone you love is thinking about committing suicide in California or anywhere, get help immediately. 

Get Help Today at Harmony Place

If you or someone you love is struggling with self harm, suicidal thoughts, or addiction, get help right now. At Harmony Place, our compassionate professionals provide the highest level of individualized care. Contact us today to find out more.

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[su_spoiler title=”References” open=”no” style=”default” icon=”plus” anchor=”” anchor_in_url=”no” class=””]

https://medlineplus.gov/selfharm.html

https://www.apa.org/monitor/2015/07-08/who-self-injures

https://worldpopulationreview.com/state-rankings/suicide-rates-by-state

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