Low Self Esteem as a Root Cause for Dependency

For some, feelings of low self esteem lie at the root of dependency. Drugs and alcohol can become a means of escape deep self-loathing, or can become a crutch for coping with situations dependent people believe they cannot handle.

The Link Between Dependency and Low Self Esteem

Researchers have long correlated low self esteem with chemical dependency. In fact, a study of 300 college students in the southern United States showed that 86 percent of those with low self esteem drank heavily enough to meet the criteria for dependency. When compared with dependency levels in those with healthy self esteem, research found that subjects with low self esteem were nearly twice as likely to become alcohol dependent.

How Low Self Esteem Causes Dependency

Many of the reasons we form negative beliefs about ourselves become the same reasons we turn to alcohol and drug dependency. Dependency can become a means of dulling the pain of abuse or abandonment–incidents that can give rise to feelings of low self worth, as well. Any relationships where we have experienced exploitation, death or heartbreak can also cause us to blame or loathe ourselves, leading us to drink or use drugs in order to cope with or numb those feelings.

When we believe that we are unworthy, unattractive or unlovable, we seek strength outside of ourselves rather than from within. For some, dependency provides temporary confidence, relaxation or boldness that they believe they cannot access on their own. Others turn to chemical dependency to evade feelings of intense guilt–sometimes over harmful past actions and sometimes over successes they feel they don’t deserve. Ultimately, dependency and low self esteem begin to cyclically feed each other, deteriorating self worth while simultaneously perpetuating dependent behavior.

Related posts:

1. Causes of Low Self Esteem
2. Depression and Low Self Esteem
3. Rejection as a Root of Dependency
4. Can Dependency Be Cured
5. How to Tell If You Have a Chemical Dependency
6. Chemical Dependency and Mood Shifts
7. Types of Denial in Dependency
8. Self-limiting and Critical Thoughts
9. Explosive Anger and Chemical Dependency
10. Signs of Denial in Chemical Dependency
11. Why Does Talk Therapy Matter in Recovery
12. Understanding the Reasons for Withdrawal
13. Ecstasy Dependency and Depression
14. Ethanols Addictive Properties
15. Why Physical Abuse Can Lead to Dependency
16. Obscuring Emotional Pain With Dependency
17. Why Is Nicotine Addictive
18. Rationalizations Commonly Used in Denial
19. Why One Drink Can Endanger Recovery
20. Altered Thinking During the Withdrawal Process