Loneliness & Addiction in Married Women

Even married men and women can be lonely. According to Psychology Today expert John Cacioppo, Ph.D., loneliness doesn't result from deficiency in human contact as much as it is an emotional state associated with not feeling connected to other people. Loneliness can increase the chance that a married person will develop clinical depression, as well.

Significance

According to "Addiction and Change" by Carlo C. DiClemente, emotional stress is linked to addiction. People who develop addictions may not be able to cope with their own emotional difficulties.

The Facts

Coping mechanisms serve the purpose of temporarily solving he problem of emotional discomfort. Addictions can be seen as dysfunctional coping mechanisms that dull the pain of mental and/or emotional illness.

Connections

Loneliness and addiction connect at the points of unresolved emotional issues. Married women may feel disconnected from their families and emotionally distant, using drugs or alcohol to cope with their problems.

Considerations

Recovering from addiction involves learning new and better ways to cope with depression and/or loneliness.

Other Features

In addition to contributing to addiction, loneliness can create other problems for its sufferers, including married people. According to Psychology Today, researcher John Cacioppo, Ph.D. has shown that heart disease, high levels of stress, risk for suicide and sleeping problems are connected to loneliness.

References

• Psychology Today: Epidemic of Loneliness
• "Addiction and Change: How Addictions Develop and Addicted People Recover;" Carlo C. DiClemente; 2006
• Psychology Today: Dangers of Loneliness