[FireIsland123]

After years of addiction and an equal amount of time in recovery, I stumbled upon something that hit me like a ton of bricks. That we all need human connection and when we can't bond with other people, we bond with our addiction. But what came first? The loneliness or the addiction? Or is isolation the cause of the addiction and the loneliness or is it the result? Or is it just one (never-ending) cycle of all three? Anyhow, for me, it got me thinking and in fact, that I am really not powerless in this entire situation. Definitely not all powerful, but not helpless to change - but not totally responsible either for everything that's happened in my life. Just found it all interesting. And helpful. Wondered what others think.

[DirtyPaws]

I'm 50, and come from a family with a lonnnng and serious history of alcoholism, addictions of all kinds, mental illness, and abuse.... These things don't just run in my family, they GALLOP!
😉. My personal belief is that when it comes to "addiction, isolation, and loneliness" any 1 of the 3 can set the "endless cycle" into motion....I don't think it matters much which 1 comes first... >^..^<

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[DirtyPaws]

Oh and, HAPPY 4TH! (I'm originally from NYC myself!) LoL

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[FireIsland123]

Thanks for writing. Yes indeed, it is a cycle. Hopefully it doesn't have to be endless. Best wishes and good luck to you my friend!

[DutchCount]

Kicking addiction was the first step to me for feeling better. It's all about confidence and believing in yourself. If you don't believe in yourself you can't quit. If you don't believe in yourself you will feel lonely. Go work out, get a job, try to talk to people even if it is just simple chit-chat. Once you feel more confident you will also be able to take more decisions with confidence.It doesn't have to be an endless cycle. You just got to break through at the part where you feel the most sure you can beat it. And the rest will follow.

[Refuse2Sink]

Depression and Anxiety brought me to drugs, drugs only made my problems worse. So not only do I have to overcome my depression and anxiety, now I have to battle addiction as well.

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[splitimage]

Social anxiety started me drinking, and then took on a life of its own, causing me to isolate so that I could drink more.

A big and hard part of my recovery was reconnecting with and rebuilding friendships with non-drinking friends. But I've done it, took about 5 years, and now I have a reasonable network of friends.

It is a vicious cycle, but it is possible to break it.

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[DirtyPaws]

Yes, I do believe that for most people, "addiction" followed isolation and/or loneliness....many try to deal with 'lonely time" by getting drunk/high... especially if they learn it from watching their family members do that while growing up >^..^<

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[ComfortablyNumb5]

For me it's a cycle. I drink when I'm lonely. Then I wake up with anxiety or in a bipolar episode. So then I have to drink more to dull that. What came first? The chicken or the egg?

Even i know that my abuse is only magnifying my MI but I get desperate to numb the loneliness I've brought upon myself from years of isolation. Isolation in itself causes depression. And depression causes isolation. Chicken or the egg?!

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[FireIsland123]

Chicken or the egg? Not sure. But I have begun to realize the WHY behind my addiction and not to be so hard on myself. No, I'm not excusing or justifying it. But what I am trying to shed is the guilt that's been piled on us, as if this is something we always wanted and could have prevented if only..?its the guilt I'm sick of and the guilt that isolates us. Maybe its time not to worry about all these judgemental people who really do nothing to help us, only shame us.