How Discrimination Can Put You at Risk of Developing Substance Abuse Disorder
Discrimination can occur against all kinds of people. Some may be discriminated against for their ethnicity, religion, or gender. Others might be subject to unfair treatment because of their sexuality.
LGBTQ addiction treatment sometimes becomes necessary for individuals who have been discriminated against for their sexuality or gender identity. It can happen if such a person has started using a substance as a result of being subjected to this kind of treatment.
You may not have ever thought about the possible connection between discrimination and substance abuse disorder, but it definitely exists. We will talk more about it right now.
Someone Can Easily Become Depressed
Some people feel that discrimination based on sexuality or gender identity does not occur as much these days. Maybe that’s true, but such things still happen in the world, and they are relatively common.
If someone is being discriminated against for any reason, that can cause them to become depressed. If people keep making comments or treating them as though they are less worthy of love and acceptance, that can lead to periods of self-loathing.
Even someone who has very good self-esteem might become depressed if they keep on hearing these kinds of comments and enduring this kind of behavior day after day. From there, becoming reliant on drugs or alcohol can easily occur.
Their Defenses Can Get Worn Down
Such an individual might start by shrugging off such comments or other discriminatory forms of treatment. They may have what seems like a limitless capacity to not let such incidents harm them.
If someone keeps hearing again and again that their life does not have value, though, or that they are wrong in some way for being the way they are, that might get to them eventually. It’s one thing to turn a blind eye to getting treated badly, but no one’s patience is infinite. It could get to the point where such an individual might lash out in retaliation, or they may start to use drugs or alcohol regularly as a way of coping.
They Might Not Have the Proper Support Network Around Them
It’s also possible that someone who is being discriminated against might not have a very strong support network to prop them up when they are feeling vulnerable. They may not have very many friends or family members to commiserate with them, or they might have none at all.
If so, it’s easy to see how such a person might start to abuse alcohol or drugs. They may feel isolated, and the substances can numb the feelings of pain that they are experiencing.
Their drug or alcohol use may start as an occasional thing. However, if they don’t find a healthier way to deal with the ongoing discrimination, they can become addicted before they’re even aware that it’s happening.
When you look at the situation in this way, it’s easy to see how discrimination and substance abuse can go hand in hand. It’s just one way this behavior can be harmful.
