The Connection Between Addiction And Loneliness

Loneliness is a common human experience, and recent studies show that feelings of loneliness may be linked to substance use disorder.

In 2023, U.S. Surgeon General Dr. Vivek Murthy declared loneliness a public health epidemic, noting that approximately half of American adults report measurable levels of loneliness. Unfortunately, this figure has worsened since the COVID-19 pandemic.

Understanding the relationship between the two can help therapists and other medical professionals provide their clients with the most effective tools for overcoming addiction.

This includes therapy that improves social and emotional health, along with mental health, to make long-term sobriety more achievable.

Addiction And Different Types Of Loneliness

Research using the Social and Emotional Loneliness Scale for Adults (SELSA) has explored the multidimensional relationship between loneliness and substance use disorder. The findings show that social, romantic, and family loneliness each independently increased participants’ likelihood of developing a substance use disorder.

SELSA accounts for the idea that social loneliness is different from emotional loneliness, and the latter has two main branches: romantic and family emotional loneliness.

The study involved 228 participants and found that, for both men and women, each type of loneliness contributed similarly to a significant increase in their likelihood of having a drug or alcohol addiction.

Although more research is needed in the area of substance use disorder and loneliness to understand the link, data reports also indicate a tie between the two.

Substance Use Disorder, Loneliness, And Older Adults

Feelings of loneliness likely increased during the COVID-19 lockdowns, when a lot of people, especially elderly Americans, spent more time alone.

This could have contributed to the increase in fatal overdoses that all demographics in America experienced at this time, particularly older adults.

A Spike In Overdose Deaths During COVID-19 Lockdowns

Between 2019 and 2020, opioid-involved deaths among Americans aged 65 and older rose by 53%, according to the National Center for Health Statistics. This was one of the sharpest single-year increases of any age group. Overdose deaths continued rising through 2022 before showing modest declines in 2023.

This same age group also experienced more than an 18% increase in deaths from alcohol use disorder.

Every age group saw an increase in overdose deaths during this time, but none as pronounced as this demographic.

Loneliness Increases With Age

Older adults are more likely than younger people to experience loneliness due to several factors, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

These factors include:

• living alone
• having a chronic illness
• losing friends or family
• experiencing hearing loss

These factors contribute to a wide range of health risks, such as developing dementia and dying prematurely from all causes.

Understanding this can help healthcare providers address all the needs of their elderly patients.

Loneliness And Mental Health

Along with substance use disorders, other mental health issues also have a tie to loneliness.

Higher rates of depression, anxiety, and suicide have been found among people experiencing loneliness.

It is not uncommon for people with depression, anxiety disorders, or other mental health disorders to develop a drug or alcohol addiction. This is called co-occurring disorders.

Dual diagnosis treatment can help these people improve their overall mental health while healing from substance use disorder. Treating both conditions tends to bring the best results.

Other At-Risk Groups

Like elderly people, but not necessarily for the same reasons, immigrants and people in the LGBTQ+ community have an increased risk of being lonely, according to the CDC.

Research consistently shows that LGBTQ+ individuals, particularly transgender people and bisexual adults, experience elevated rates of depression, anxiety, and substance use disorder compared to cisgender heterosexual peers. It’s driven in large part by minority stress, discrimination, and family rejection.

Being aware of these increased health risks when working with people in these communities can help ensure that medical professionals provide the best care.

Find Addiction Treatment Services Today

Browse our directory or reach out to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) for more information about addiction recovery.

Written by the Addiction Resource Editorial Staff