Self-harm can come in many different forms, and some may be obvious while others are more discreet. Substance abuse and self-harm are also commonly co-occurring, and many factors that influence one may also impact the other. Regardless of the specific type of self-harm behavior someone may engage in, if they hope to recover then help is often needed. This is especially the case when self-harm and substance abuse are co-occurring, and comprehensive treatment is the most effective and reliable way to find relief and recovery.
Long thought to be solely a manifestation of mental illness, self-harm has become recognized as a serious problem that afflicts those with and without mental illness in America today. Many people who practice self-harm behavior think that it is a way to deal with their problems, and may not recognize the risks and harm it can cause. This guide will educate those who have not experienced this themselves, provide helpful support resources, and give guidance to those struggling with self-harm themselves or their loved ones on what they can do to help.
There have been other studies that draw similarities between self-harm and other, more classical addictions, such as drugs. There are some underlying traits that influence both of these behaviors to a similar degree and have a strong positive correlation, namely impulsivity. This, coupled with the significantly higher rates of substance abuse among those who do engage in self-harm, suggests that these distinct behaviors may share an underlying cause. Finally, the approach to treating self-harm as an addiction is showing great promise in helping people successfully recover from this harmful and potentially fatal behavior.
Some different ways that people may practice self-harm behavior can include:
Someone struggling with self-harm often believes that they have no other way to deal with their problems, and showing someone that there is another way to live is often the first step toward providing help.
There are also many types of therapy that have proven quite effective at helping someone overcome their self-harm habits, and guiding someone towards a therapist can help them find a healthy way out of their situation. Everyone responds a little differently to certain kinds of therapy, and the specific issues that someone may be dealing with may indicate one type of therapy is preferable to another. That being said, some of the most effective types of therapy for helping someone struggling with self-harm can include:
While these types of therapy are all closely related, some types may be more effective depending on someone’s particular situation. For example, some studies have shown that DBT seems to be very effective at treating adolescents who practice self-harm with a co-occurring mental health issue, particularly depression, anxiety, or bipolar disorders.
Regardless of the specific therapy that someone undergoes, there is significant evidence that entering treatment will result in an improved long-term outcome. Additionally, since someone who engages in self-harm is much less likely to seek treatment on their own, it becomes even more crucial to reach out to someone who may be struggling with self-harm. Letting them know that there is another way and that treatment can help can make all the difference in the world.
While there is a distinction between suicidal and non-suicidal self-harm, those who engage in non-suicidal self-harm have a much higher long-term chance of attempting suicide as opposed to people who do not engage in any self-harm behavior. While it may not seem like a life or death issue today, it may very well be tomorrow. Oftentimes, the best chance someone has of recovery from co-occurring self-harm and substance abuse issues is to enter a dual diagnosis treatment center.
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