Grief can be defined a sense of sadness and unhappiness. Grief often refers to the deep emotional pain and sorrow experienced when one loses something or someone significant. It is a natural response to the various losses that occur during the recovery process.

Grief often forms an unspoken connection among individuals in treatment for substance use disorders, who may have encountered significant losses before seeking recovery. Substance addiction can lead to the deterioration of relationships, careers and personal identity with the impact deepened by the loss of loved ones. For some, substance use begins as a means to cope with such losses, further complicating their emotional turmoil. Substances can numb emotions, hindering the grief process and potentially leading to complicated grief disorder, a condition marked by prolonged and intense mourning, depressive symptoms and even suicidal thoughts.

The grief journey typically moves from initial shock or denial to sadness and with time, acceptance and resolution. However, substance use can arrest this process, causing individuals to remain in a state of acute grief for years, exacerbating pain and leading to a cycle of grief and addiction.

Alcohol, often sought as solace after a loss, can similarly trap individuals in a state of unresolved grief with the risk of developing alcoholism. Alcohol can delay the grieving process, leading to chronic, delayed or cumulative grief, heightening the chances of complicated grief disorder and associated risks like hospitalization and suicide.

Effective grief treatment is crucial offering avenues for individuals to process their emotions, find meaning in their experiences and foster hope. By addressing both grief and substance use, individuals can work towards healing and reclaiming a sense of purpose and connection.

In Addiction Treatment

Grief can arise from several sources. Firstly, individuals may grieve for the substances they were once dependent on. The familiarity and comfort these substances provided can evoke a sense of loss. Additionally, people may grieve for the lifestyle they led while in active addiction, as they have to let go of harmful behaviors and relationships associated with it.

Individuals may experience grief over damaged relationships caused by their addiction. Broken bonds with family members, friends or significant others can lead to a profound sense of loss. Furthermore, the process of rebuilding trust and repairing relationships may be challenging, intensifying the grief.

Another form of grief commonly encountered is the loss of identity. Addiction can dramatically impact a person’s sense of self, as they may lose touch with their values, interests and goals. Overcoming addiction requires rediscovering and redefining oneself, which can be a painful and complex process.

Grief work is an essential component of addiction treatment. Addressing and processing these feelings permits individuals to heal and move forward in their recovery process. By acknowledging their grief, individuals can begin to let go of the past and embrace a healthier future.

Grief and addiction are closely linked with complicated grief (CG) identified as an intense, chronic deviation from typical grief processes, recognised in the DSM-5 as persistent complex bereavement disorder (PCBD). Studies indicate a higher prevalence of CG symptoms among substance use disorder (SUD) patients compared to non-addicted individuals with SUD patients showing a 34.2% incidence rate of CG symptoms versus 5% in a control group. Research highlights a bidirectional relationship between grief and substance use; individuals with CG are more prone to substance misuse and those with SUD are more likely to experience significant personal losses, including the death of loved ones and the end of important relationships.

Bereaved children, especially those who lose both parents or experience loss between ages six and 18, are at an increased risk for later substance misuse. Young adults facing multiple bereavements in a short span are nearly twice as likely to develop an SUD. The interaction between grief and substance use involves a complex web of causes and effects, including antecedent and consequent drug-related problems, physical health issues and high psychiatric comorbidity among those with addiction. The dynamics between CG and substance misuse are not fully understood, partly due to the exclusion of individuals with an SUD diagnosis from most CG treatment efficacy studies.

It is key to understand that grief is not a linear process and can manifest in various ways. People may experience a range of emotions, including sadness, anger, guilt and even relief. Each person’s journey is unique and it is essential to provide a supportive and understanding environment throughout the recovery process.

Founded in 2008, WeDoRecover has evolved from an advisory service for addiction treatment into a comprehensive provider of care, following its 2019 merger with Changes Addiction Rehab in Johannesburg. Specialising in connecting patients to top-tier addiction treatment centers in the UK, South Africa and supporting individuals in recovery world wide.

Back into treatment

Been invaluable

Excellent intervention services

I would like to thank you

You helped me

I used to believe

Heartfelt appreciation

Lots of single parents

I was just so scared

Our network includes only the best rehab centers for personalised high quality addiction and mental health care. We guide you to a center that not only is a right fit for you or your loved one but that offers expert proven care and support. Start your healing today by choosing a rehab that cares about your recovery.