Her nerves are bad.
He's got the blues.
They’re back on the bottle again.
We’ve all heard these phrases used to describe someone who is struggling. Every one of us knows what it feels like to be overwhelmed, day after day, with no end in sight. So, what do we do? We find ways to manage.
Not a Moral Failing
Everyone has different strategies for staying afloat, mentally and emotionally. We might end a long day by uttering, “I need a drink!” or step out for a smoke break to get our mind right. While helpful in the moment, these behaviors rarely help us address the root cause of our suffering. In some people, substance use can trigger mental health conditions to be uncovered.
Sometimes we feel guilty for how often we visit these habits or become clouded in shame, making moral judgements of ourselves and other people who use drugs. Accessing professional, culturally appropriate care is not easy, and research tells us a significant percentage of those looking for support are stopped by social stigma along the way.
Honoring One Another
We all deserve to find what we need to live full, joyful lives. One place to start is by checking in on our relationships with substances from a place of curiosity, and exploring the addition of alternative coping strategies into our lives.
For those struggling with your mental health or habits of substance use: it’s not your fault, and we mean that. We see you, we love you, and we want you around. Let’s invest in one another’s well-being; it may be the most important work we ever do.
