Grief and Loss

Grief Contributes to Substance Abuse

When a loss happens, all you can do is find a way to cope. Unfortunately, statistics show that many men end up turning to unhealthy coping mechanisms like drinking and drug use. Men are more likely than women to develop a substance use disorder while grieving. In fact, men in mourning are twice as likely to become addicted.

Grief can take many forms. While most people associate it with the death of a loved one, it can also be an extreme form of disappointment. Maybe you’ve lost your job, ended a relationship, or moved to a new city. Divorce, the death of a pet, missed opportunities, watching your children leave the nest, and any other major change can make you feel like you’ve lost something important. Leaving anything behind can result in symptoms of grief, which include:

• Persistent sadness
• Anger
• Irritability
• Feeling detached
• Struggling to concentrate
• Fatigue

If you find yourself drinking or using drugs to escape these symptoms, help is available.

Treatment for Grief, Loss, and Substance Use Disorder

We understand the link between loss and addiction. Our clinicians are experts in grief-focused therapies that help you to make peace with life’s changes, find motivation to move forward, and utilize healthier coping mechanisms. Once you begin to treat the grief fueling your addiction, you will see a marked improvement in your substance use disorder.

The Last Resort’s grief programming includes several unique amenities and therapeutic modalities, including:

• A secluded setting far away from painful memories
• Men’s-only treatment and strong peer support
• Evidence-based care delivered by licensed clinicians
• Long-term programming for sustained recovery
• Grief-specific groups, tracks, and trail rides

Move Forward at The Last Resort

We understand how painful it can be when someone tells you to “get over it,” “man up,” or “just move on.” We also understand how tempting it can be to drink or use drugs instead of confronting your grief. That’s why we don’t ask you to move on; instead, we focus on practical ways to move your life forward. To us, this means breaking the cycle of addiction, acknowledging what you’ve lost, and planning for a better tomorrow.

At The Last Resort, we honor your loss and provide you with the space you need to work through what has happened. Our therapists are highly experienced in the treatment of grief, and they will provide you with proven methods for coping when times are tough.

To learn more about our grief-focused treatment, contact The Last Resort’s compassionate admissions team. We look forward to speaking with you.