by Susanne Parks

Created on: April 26, 2008

For most of us the thought of using a chemical substance to numb emotional pain or mental stress is not an option to consider. Unfortunately it is a growing problem in today's society.

For many individual facing the reality of how they feel is not an option. Whether the cause is from a painful memory, tragedy, or past mistakes, masking these unwanted feelings become a priority in order to feel normal under abnormal circumstances.

Certain drugs, whether legal or illegal, have the ability to mask, or cover up deep rooted feelings of emotional pain, depression, and feelings of condemnation or self loathing.

In a simplified analogy, imagine taking medication to help ease the symptoms of a severe cold or allergies. These medications do not cure the cold, but only masks the symptoms, to provide relief for the moment while the medication is your system.

In the same way narcotics are used to mask the symptoms of emotional trauma and mental stress. It is not a cure, the feelings are not erased nor do they magical disappear, but are simply covered up when using drugs.

In some cases the root cause may lie so deep that the individual is not even aware that they are using drugs to escape reality. Perhaps they are using drugs under the pretense of physical pain or any number of other reasons that may or may not be contributed to the root cause of the emotional distress.

In any case, whether known or unknown, the root cause must be uncovered to begin the healing process if a life free of substance abuse is to be achieved.

If long term substance use is the case, dealing with withdrawal effects will also be an issue that will have to be addressed. In most cases such as this, professional help is needed.

There are many places that are equipped with the appropriate help needed to overcome substance abuse of any kind. Such as many churches, ministries, behavioral organizations and rehab centers.

For most individuals that rely on drugs to mask there feelings', admitting they want help is a major breakthrough and first step in recovery and getting back to living a normal life without the help of a drug to get through life.

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