Attachment styles develop in early life and influence how individuals relate to others and manage emotional stress. Understandably, this can impact a wide range of behaviors, including substance use. By recognizing the relationship between attachment styles and substance use disorders, you can gain insight into your deeper struggles, the ways you cope and the best treatment strategies.
Let’s learn more about the different attachment styles, their effects on your current relationships and why certain experiences with others can lead to higher rates of substance use.
What are the Four Attachment Styles?
Attachment styles in early life influence your communication style, your response to conflict and your expectations of your relationships. Here are the four different attachment styles that people experience:
1. Secure attachment
Individuals with a secure attachment typically had healthy, trusting relationships in childhood. They likely received consistent care and emotional support, helping them to develop a strong sense of self and good emotional regulation skills. Therefore, those with healthy attachments are less likely to turn to substances to cope with stress or emotional pain. Instead, they tap into healthier outlets such as spending time with others.
2. Anxious attachment
People with an anxious attachment style typically had caregivers who were inconsistent in their caregiving. They may feel insecure in their relationships and crave intimacy and approval while also fearing rejection and abandonment. This can lead to conflict in relationships, along with heightened emotional states and poor stress management. Those with anxious attachments may use substances to cope with their anxiety and emotional pain, as well as to feel confident in social situations.
3. Avoidant attachment
Those who have avoidant attachment styles often had caregivers who were emotionally unavailable or rejecting. Because of this, they learned to rely on themselves and suppress their need for closeness and emotional expression. Avoidant individuals may turn to substances to manage feelings they find difficult to express.
4. Disorganized attachment
Disorganized attachment arises from caregiving with frightening or traumatizing experiences, such as abuse or neglect. Individuals with this type of attachment often struggle with emotional regulation and might turn to substances to cope with feelings of fear, helplessness or anger stemming from their early interactions.
Substance Use and Attachment Styles
Research has shown that those with unhealthy attachments have a higher risk of using substances than those with healthy attachments. This is the case because people with unhealthy attachments often struggle with building reliable and supportive relationships, low self-esteem, a lack of trust and decreased emotional regulation and coping strategies. As a result, substance use can become a quick and easy way to numb painful emotions, cope with difficult relationships and loosen up in social situations.
Fortunately, things don’t need to stay this way. Cognitive behavioral therapy and dialectical behavior therapy can be especially effective in helping people deal with both their attachment style and their substance use. Trauma-informed care can also be helpful for those who have experienced past trauma.
Seeking Treatment for Unhealthy Attachments and Substance Use
Recovery Cove works with individuals to help them overcome their substance use and mental health challenges. We address attachment styles and help clients to understand how their past relationships are impacting them today. It is not their fault, and it is possible to heal. While change won’t happen overnight, working on these issues can lead to complete healing. To learn more about our treatment services, contact Recovery Cove at 484-549-COVE today.
