Understanding of Addiction and Low Self Esteem: What is self-Esteem?

Understanding of Addiction and Low Self Esteem. Young people who are suffering from rejection often seek for comfort and acceptance in the wrong company of alcoholics and drug addicts.

Self-esteem is a psychological term used to describe how humans evaluate themselves overall in relation to self-worth. Psychologically this can be described as the self-confidence and satisfaction that people have in their own life. On the other hand the terms self-esteem and self-worth tend to be used interchangeably even though feelings of self-esteem tend to be more fluid than self-worth. Ideally the issues surrounding self-esteem can be very complicated depending on the intensity or the nature of the effects. What is it that causes the individual to have a low self-esteem? Experts at AWAREmed Health and Wellness Resource Center have reported that the way people view themselves will have a great impact on how they experience or passive their own lives. Those who have low self-esteem will struggle to find success and happiness, mostly because they do not feel within themselves worthy of enjoying such things. Their lack of self-worth will affect every area of their life, and more so, their relationships with other people. It is regrettable that many of those who are struggling with low self-esteem often turn to substance abuse because it offers a temporary solution to their problems. While the truth is that using alcohol and drugs to escape with their feelings of low self-worth will only leads to further misery and addiction. That is why this article is going to be interrogating our understanding of addiction and low self-esteem so that we can put this to perspective.

Understanding of Addiction and Low Self Esteem: The Causes of Low Self-Esteem

Low self-esteem can be very traumatizing and if combined with substance abuse life can be very unbearable. It is therefore very important that we are not starved with the information about the causes of low self-esteem which may include the following:

• Under normal circumstances when one in his or her childhood suffered some form of child abuse, the scar will remain with them for life even if treatment were done. This constant reminder of the yester year’s events can severely affect the way they view themselves. Children lack the knowledge and insight to understand the situation, and because of this they will keep blaming themselves for the abuse. This feeling of somehow being wrong stays with them into adulthood. And remember that physical, mental, or sexual abuse can all have lasting consequences on a child’s sense of self-worth due to the permanent scars that come with them.
• In the event that parents fail to give all the necessary support to make their children feel valued and important, then this can later lead to poor self-esteem. It is important for parents to note that when it comes to children the value is in what the parent fails to say or do and not what they have done or said. Children are highly sensitive to their environment; therefore they need to be nurtured all the way. If young people feel that they have failed to live up to their parent’s standards, this may translate negatively on then to the point that they may find it difficult to value themselves.
• Too much criticism when growing up is a very bad indicator and this when not corrected can leave behind mental scars. People who are always being told that they are a failure or stupid are likely to believe the negative impression implied on them.
• The way people are treated by their peers is also important for self-esteem. One of the most compelling functions of a peer group is feedback on behavior. Consistent negative feedback can have a profound effect on a person.
• Being the victim of racism or prejudice will usually change the way people view themselves and that is a key factor in understanding of addiction and low self-esteem.
• Those individuals who have issues around their physical appearance can easily develop feelings of low self-worth. In the modern world, there is too much emphasis placed on physical beauty. The media is largely responsible for this obsession. Feelings of being unattractive will lead to low self-esteem.
• When people feel that they do not really fit in anywhere it will change the way they view themselves. This lack of connectedness with other people is common among people who are dealing with esteem issues.

Understanding of Addiction and Low Self Esteem: The Effects of Low Self-Esteem

Those who are dealing with low self-esteem may experience many of the following problems:

• Failure to value one-self leads to a failure to take care of oneself. The person may not see the point of putting much effort into their bodies and minds. This means that they will be far more likely to suffer from poor physical and mental health. Low self-esteem can lead to premature death as well.
• Not believing in oneself will limit one’s potential. A person may not be willing to put in the necessary effort to achieve their dreams, because they not believe it will bring results. Such people may be convinced that mediocrity is all they deserve.
• Individuals with low self-esteem are far more likely to turn to alcohol or drugs as a means of escaping their problems.
• People with low self-esteem often end up in abusive relationships. This is because they can inwardly feel like such relationships are all they deserve.
• When people do not value themselves highly they are more likely to bow to peer pressure. Many individuals who end up in dangerous cults suffer from low self-esteem.
• It can be hard for such individuals to trust other people. They may believe that anyone who is trying to help them has a hidden agenda. They can also go to the other extreme where they trust unworthy individuals too much.
• These individuals will be highly insecure in relationships. If they do not value themselves, then they will find it hard to believe that other people can value them.

Understanding of Addiction and Low Self Esteem: Addiction and Low Self-Esteem

Low self-esteem is one of the characteristics of the addictive personality. When people first begin using alcohol or drugs it will increase their self-confidence. They become less concerned with what other people think of them. The individual begins to rely on these substances in order to cope with life. Addiction means that the person’s life begins to all apart as their self-esteem hits an all-time low. In AA, they describe the situation as, alcohol gave me wings but then it took away the sky. Lack of self-worth can then keep people trapped in addiction.

Understanding of Addiction and Low Self Esteem: Underage Substance Abuse and Low Self-Esteem

Finally it has been established from various studies that children with low self-esteem are more likely to abuse alcohol or drugs as they grow up. Because of this they will not want to be left out more so when they are associating with mates who are already into drugs and alcohol. The peer pressure and sense of belonging will certainly carry them away all in the name of experimenting. And because of the temporary relief when under the influence of drugs and alcohol, the idea of escaping reality will be more appealing even if it is only for a little time. Doctor Dalal Akoury warns that unless something is done timely, those individuals who use alcohol or drugs at a younger age will have a greater risk of developing an addiction in the future. It is therefore very important that you start early by scheduling for an appointment with doctor Akoury for a more professional treatment approach.

Understanding of Addiction and Low Self Esteem: What is self-Esteem?