The need to feel in control of one’s life, especially when one is facing stressful times, can cause one to turn to substance abuse
MEHVISH SHAH
Let me start with a question many can relate to: Have you ever found yourself saying, “I’ll just watch one more episode”, only to realise that you’ve binged the entire series and it’s almost morning?
Half the time, it feels like my brain is in a tug-of-war with itself. I tell myself, I’ll only watch one more episode, but somehow I end up at sunrise with crumbs on my shirt. Imagine that same chaotic struggle, turned up to a 100 and mixed with shame and anxiety. That’s essentially what someone caught in the grips of addiction experiences daily.
When people experience intense emotional turmoil, they often feel like they are losing control. This can create a strong urge to act on their impulses. This chaotic state makes it incredibly challenging to hold back inappropriate behaviours and to resist the temptation of quick rewards. For instance, a man may turn to drink to quiet the storm of anxious thoughts that often overwhelms him.
Stressful experiences deeply affect the brain, which can lead to a higher risk of addiction. When people experience stress, especially during childhood and adolescence, it can change how their bodies respond to stress over the long term. This affects their emotions, the brain’s reward system, and how they think. All of these changes make it more likely for someone to develop a substance use disorder (SUD).
For many individuals, addiction doesn’t start with the substance itself; it often stems from unseen emotional pain. Factors like childhood trauma, emotional neglect, feelings of abandonment, loneliness, loss, or chronic anxiety quietly shape how a person perceives the world. These emotional wounds frequently go unrecognised or untreated, and without healthy ways to cope, the mind searches for relief wherever it can find it.
Substances such as alcohol, opioids, or stimulants provide a temporary escape, a brief moment of quiet amid the chaos. They trigger the brain’s reward system, flooding it with dopamine which is also known as the happy hormone, and is linked to pleasure, motivation, and emotional relief.
Initially, it may feel like control is being restored. However, over time, with repeated use, the brain adapts, and it starts to produce less dopamine on its own, making even natural sources of joy feel diminished. The substance that once offered comfort eventually transforms into a necessity just to feel “normal”.
This creates a painful and powerful cycle: the more emotional pain a person endures, the more they turn to substances; and the more they use, the more detached they become from themselves, from others, and from any genuine sense of well-being. In this way, emotional distress and brain chemistry become closely linked, turning addiction into not just a habit but a profound psychological struggle rooted in unmet emotional needs.
The person becomes reliant on the drug, getting trapped in a cycle of intoxication, withdrawal, and a constant need to secure the substance.
Overcoming addiction goes beyond sheer willpower or merely quitting a substance; it involves understanding the deeper issues driving that need. This is where therapy can make a transformative difference, helping individuals reconnect with themselves and build meaningful relationships with others.
One highly effective approach is Motivational Interviewing (MI), which encourages individuals to discover their motivations for change, gradually fostering their readiness and confidence.
For many, support groups like Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) provide a sense of community that extends far beyond the therapy room. These groups offer a feeling of belonging, where individuals feel listened to, supported, and guided by those who genuinely understand their struggles.
Family-based interventions also play a crucial role, especially when relationships have been strained by addiction. These sessions help families improve communication, heal emotional wounds, and support recovery.
Additionally, Cognitive-Behavioural Therapy (CBT) equips individuals with practical strategies to manage stress, avoid triggers, and challenge negative thoughts that often lead to relapse.
When combined, these approaches do more than just curb drug use; they empower individuals to create healthier lives where they feel connected, secure, and in control. Therapy provides what addiction falsely promises—a genuine means to cope, grow, and regain a sense of wholeness.
You don’t have to battle addiction alone if you or someone you care about is dealing with it. Asking for assistance is a courageous first step toward recovery, not a show of weakness. The Mental Health Outpatient Department, Tobacco Cessation Centre, and Addiction Treatment Facility, provide a secure and friendly environment at the District Hospital, North Goa. Support that is judgment-free, confidential, and empathetic can be found here. De-addiction services are also provided at hospitals in the south district as well as at the Institute of Psychiatry and Human Behaviour (IPHB).
(The writer is a counsellor at Addiction Treatment Facility, North-Goa District Hospital)
