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At its core, addiction is an illness. That being said, many factors can contribute to the development of an addiction. Things like pressures, social identity, and past struggles can all play a defining role in someone’s vulnerability to an opioid addiction, as it affects self perception.
Pressures from society that affect one’s well-being and self perception can directly and indirectly lead to opioid usage. The most relevant factor that can relate to societal pressure is the pressure from school and work.
With extreme standards and competition that can be fueled in a school or workplace environment, individuals tend to feel overwhelmed with the high levels of achievement expected from them. From there, their coping mechanisms for dealing with this stress is crucial.
While some have a strong support system around them that they feel comfortable enough to lean on, others do not. And, for some, their coping mechanisms lead them away from people, which can be detrimental.
As a journal from the Oxford Academic states, the predicted probabilities of drug misuse are 1% for those who don’t experience social withdrawal, but 6% for those who experience severe social withdrawal. Social withdrawal and loneliness can deepen emotional pain, which can lead to opioid misuse as a way to numb those feelings.
That’s why when someone may be struggling with personal issues in their life, one of the most important things they could have beside them is a friend. Without a good support system, isolation can often influence their push toward opioids.
A person’s identity and self image is a factor as well. When someone feels so much pressure to be the best version of themselves, this overwhelming struggle can make them feel trapped and isolated. And when they fail to accomplish a goal, their sense of pride and identity may be compromised.
Hence, it’s imperative that excessive demands – self-imposed or set by others – aren’t placed on anyone, so that issues with self identity don’t lead to mental health issues that can lead to opioid abuse.
Past struggles with identity and lived experiences can also contribute to opioid addiction. Veterans, some of the most honorable citizens in our nation, are a group of people whose perception of self may be altered because of their past experiences. In war, they endure many traumatizing experiences that can affect their mental health later on. Their high rates of chronic pain and development of mental disorders such as Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) can all influence their potential opioid use.
According to the Taylor & Francis Group, drug overdose mortality rates for U.S. military veterans have increased by 53% between 2010 and 2019. Military veterans are trained to emphasize toughness and self-sufficiency, and they hold onto these values even after they leave the military.
Especially with the transition of leaving the military, some tend to feel as though they’re losing a part of their identity and still feel a pressure to be strong in society.
Everyone has pressure and expectations, and this can often influence one’s perception of themselves. One’s identity may be influenced by their perceived role in society, their accomplishments, or community, and it’s important to ensure that identity isn’t something that can easily be taken away.
Without a strong core identity or strong support system, it’s far too easy to make bad decisions.
This article was written as part of a program to educate youth and others about Alameda County’s opioid crisis, prevention and treatment options. The program is funded by the Alameda County Behavioral Health Department and the grant is administered by Three Valleys Community Foundation.
