Last Updated:
January 13th, 2025
Self-Harm and Addiction | Symptoms and Treatment Options
Self-harm is often a hidden struggle, a silent cry for relief from overwhelming emotions that feel impossible to express. For some, drugs or alcohol can be a way to dull the pain or intensify the sensations in an attempt to regain control. But instead of providing a true escape, this dangerous combination can pull you further into a cycle of self-harm and addiction. At Recovery Lighthouse, we understand the deep connection between self-harm and addiction and offer a compassionate, safe space where healing can begin. With the right support, you can break free from both and rediscover a life worth living.
What is self-harm?
Self-harm is a deeply personal and often misunderstood response to personal troubles. It involves intentionally causing physical harm to yourself, such as by cutting, burning or scratching yourself. Self-harm is often a way to cope with feelings that seem too intense to bear, and it is usually rooted in trauma, mental health struggles or feelings of being lost in your own mind.
What causes self-harm?
While self-harm is mostly a physical act, it is important to understand that the underlying reasons are often deep-seated emotional and mental health struggles. Here are some of the main reasons why people may resort to self-harm:
Finding release
For some people, the physical pain of self-harm distracts from emotional pain, offering a brief moment of escape from feelings that are too heavy to cope with. It is a very desperate response to emotional struggles which require professional treatment to resolve.
Self-punishment
Deep feelings of guilt or self-loathing can drive people to use self-harm as a way to punish themselves, turning their inner pain outward. This is often seen with people who have gone through a traumatic experience like abuse.
Reclaiming control
When everything else in life feels chaotic, self-harm can seem like the one thing they have power over, providing a false sense of stability. It can be a response to issues like addiction, relationship breakups or mental health issues.
A cry for help
Self-harm can be a way to communicate distress, silently saying, “I’m struggling,” to those who may not otherwise see their pain. It is important to look out for this in people who you know to have personal struggles but who often find it hard to speak about them.
Feeling something real
For those trapped in emotional numbness, self-harm can be a way to feel alive, even if it’s through pain. It can be a symptom of PTSD, which can leave you unable to enjoy anything in life.
While self-harm might seem like a solution at the moment, it often creates deeper emotional scars, adding to the struggles that led to it.
What are the signs of self-harm?
Self-harm often hides in plain sight, cloaked in secrecy and shame, but subtle clues can reveal the struggles beneath the surface. It’s not always easy to spot, but paying close attention to physical and emotional changes can make a difference.
Physical signs of self-harm
The body often tells a story words cannot, and some physical signs of self-harm include:
- Unexplained cuts, bruises, burns or scars, particularly on areas easily hidden like wrists, thighs or upper arms.
- A reluctance to explain constant injuries or accidents.
- Dressing in long sleeves or trousers – even when it’s hot – to keep marks out of sight.
- Possession of items like razors, glass shards or knives that could cause harm.
Behavioural and emotional signs of self-harm
The emotional toll of self-harm can show up in behaviours and moods that can also signal hidden inner turmoil:
- A sudden need to be alone, avoiding loved ones or even going out.
- Expressing feelings of worthlessness, guilt or despair.
- Mood swings and unstable emotions.
- Struggling to put emotions into words, so avoiding or distracting from the issue.
If you suspect self-harm, tread gently. A warm, non-judgemental approach can help ease their fear of being misunderstood, so let them know they’re not alone, listen without trying to “fix” everything and encourage professional support.
How do self-harm and addiction link?
The bond between addiction and self-harm is built on temporary relief and lasting scars. Drugs, drinking and addictive behaviours like sex or gambling can offer a fleeting balm for the sting of self-harm but leave more wounds behind. The relief they provide is short-lived, and the consequences of addiction only amplify the pain, creating an endless loop of hurt and self-destruction.
Conversely, self-harm can act as a response to the overwhelming emotions stirred by addiction itself. The regret of hurting loved ones, the frustration of failed recovery attempts or the deep-seated shame of dependency can push someone toward self-inflicted harm. During withdrawal, when emotional and physical discomfort are at their peak, self-harm may feel like a last resort and a way to transfer emotional anguish into physical pain.
In truth, addiction can also be seen as a form of self-harm itself. Choosing to continue behaviours that damage your health, relationships, and personal life mirrors the self-punishing cycle of self-harm.
Understanding the link between a dual diagnosis of self-harm and drug addiction or alcoholism is crucial for healing. By recognising how these two struggles fuel each other, you can start to untangle the connection and take steps toward recovery and self-compassion.
Treatment options for self-harm and addiction
If you are struggling with self-harm and alcohol addiction, or a drug abuse disorder, Recovery Lighthouse’s rehab treatment can provide relief and the best shot at sobriety. Our programme delves into the emotional and physical pain that is driving your addiction, which can help you respond without self-harming. UKAT London Clinic, our partner centre, offers specialised programmes that treat self-harm and addiction side by side, supporting every aspect of your recovery.
Here are some of the therapies and professional support surfaces offered in both:
Group therapy
Addiction and self-harm thrive in silence, but group therapy shatters that barrier. Sharing your story in a supportive environment helps you feel understood, while hearing others’ experiences reminds you that healing is a journey best taken together.
One-to-one therapy
Every scar tells a story, and individual therapy is where you can share yours. With the help of a dedicated therapist, you will explore the pain behind your self-harm and addiction, what sparks them and how to better manage that pain.
Behavioural therapies
When negative thought patterns take over, they can feel impossible to escape. Behavioural therapies like CBT and DBT can help you challenge those thoughts and free yourself from the cycle of addiction and self-harm.
Family therapy
Self-harm and addiction can create rifts in even the closest families. Family therapy bridges those divides, fostering open communication and helping everyone involved heal together with compassion and understanding.
Holistic therapies
Recovery from self-harm and addiction is about finding balance in body, mind and spirit. Yoga, meditation and art therapy all offer creative and calming outlets, allowing you to process emotions and nurture inner peace.
Continued support after rehab
Recovery doesn’t end with rehab. Our aftercare programme ensures you stay supported long after you leave, with weekly group sessions, relapse prevention planning and a vibrant Alumni Network to keep you connected and strong.
Get help for self-harm and addiction today
At Recovery Lighthouse, we see beyond the struggles of self-harm and addiction to the person you truly are. Our holistic programmes will meet you wherever you are, offering a safe space to heal, rebuild and grow. If you or a loved one need help, don’t wait. Contact us today and start to plan a whole new life.
Frequently Asked Questions
(Click here to see works cited)
- UK Rehab. “Self-Harm and Addiction | Mental Health and Addiction.” UK Rehab, https://www.uk-rehab.com/mental-health/self-harm-and-addiction/. Accessed 10 December 2024.
- UK Rehab. “Dual Diagnosis | Co-Occurring Disorders.” UK Rehab, https://www.uk-rehab.com/mental-health/dual-diagonosis/. Accessed 10 December 2024.
- Mind. “What is self-harm?” Mind, https://www.mind.org.uk/information-support/types-of-mental-health-problems/self-harm/about-self-harm/. Accessed 10 December 2024.
- MedlinePlus. “Self-Harm.” MedlinePlus, 17 October 2023, https://medlineplus.gov/selfharm.html. Accessed 10 December 2024.
- Psychology Today. “Self-Harm.” Psychology Today, https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/basics/self-harm/. Accessed 10 December 2024.
- NHS. “Why people self-harm.” NHS, https://www.nhs.uk/mental-health/feelings-symptoms-behaviours/behaviours/self-harm/why-people-self-harm/. Accessed 10 December 2024.