If you can’t understand why your teen has turned to drug and alcohol abuse, learning more about the connection between low self esteem and addiction may help you. In fact, it’s disheartening to realize your child has a substance abuse problem. You want to help, but you don’t know where to start. Therefore, educating yourself is one step in the right direction, for your teen and your family.
What is The Connection Between Low Self Esteem and Addiction?
A person with low self esteem always has the belief in the back of his mind that he’s going to fail. For example, he thinks other people are judging him harshly, no matter what he does.
When someone has low self esteem, that doesn’t mean he’s automatically at risk for drug and alcohol abuse. Other factors are usually present. However, a low amount of self-confidence can contribute to developing a problem.
People with low self esteem may be easily influenced by their peers. In their efforts to be liked or fit in, they may go along with the crowd instead of speaking up for themselves. Moreover, they might not even want to drink or use drugs, but they don’t feel confident enough to refuse.
It may be harder for someone with a lack of confidence to effectively deal with the negative feelings everyone has from time-to-time. As a result, they turn to drugs and alcohol to feel better. While they get an escape from negative emotions, it’s only a short-term fix that eventually creates more problems. As you can see, the connection between low self esteem and addiction can create havoc in a young person’s life.
Are you worried that your teenager lacks a healthy sense of self-worth? If so, he might hang around people who have a negative influence on him. In addition to abusing drugs and alcohol, he may also act out and suffer from depression or anxiety.
Developing Higher Self Esteem
As a parent, you want what’s best for your child. Unfortunately, parents may contribute to their child’s low self-worth without realizing it. Sometimes, a thoughtless remark or offhand comparisons between them and a sibling creates lasting damage.
Knowing that the connection between low self esteem and addiction is real, it’s important that parents work to rebuild any broken bonds between themselves and their kids.
Hope for the Entire Family
Do you feel like you don’t even know your child anymore? Between his violent outbursts and constant lies, you don’t know where else to turn.
Consider Venture Academy, a residential behaviour treatment program that specializes in treating teenagers. We operate three locations throughout Canada. If your teen is having problems with academics, behaviour, or addictive substances, we can help.
For example, our services include:
- Youth detox program
- Individual counselling for teens
- Drug and alcohol treatment
- Education
- 30 day assessment and intervention
Our professional staff understands how the connection between low self esteem and addiction can impact your family. Therefore, reach out today to get the help your teen needs. Call us at *DM_DirectNumber format=period orig=(855) 281-5813* to learn more.
