Sometimes, what begins as a way to relax, escape difficult emotions or get through a stressful day can gradually become something harder to manage.

Perhaps it's a glass of wine after work that becomes a nightly routine. Using substances to quieten anxious thoughts, manage loneliness or temporarily forget painful experiences. Or repeatedly promising yourself that tomorrow will be different, only to find yourself returning to the same pattern.

For some people, substance use gradually becomes less about enjoyment and more about finding relief.

If this sounds familiar, it may be worth exploring what is happening beneath the surface.

Addiction is a complex health concern, not simply a matter of willpower. Understanding the relationship between substance use, emotional wellbeing and everyday circumstances can be an important starting point for change.

When Substance Use Becomes a Way of Coping

People use alcohol and other drugs for different reasons, including pleasure, social connection, curiosity and managing emotional distress.

For some, substances offer temporary relief from anxiety, grief, trauma-related distress or overwhelming responsibilities.

However, the relief may be short-lived. Over time, relying on substances to manage uncomfortable feelings can make it harder to develop other coping strategies.

Research by Votaw and Witkiewitz (2021) highlights the varied and changing motivations behind substance use, including coping with difficult emotions.

Importantly, not everyone who uses substances has experienced trauma, and not everyone experiencing emotional pain develops an addiction.

Mental health, physical health, relationships, social circumstances and biological factors can all influence patterns of substance use.

How Do You Know When Coping Is Becoming a Concern?

Addiction does not always look the way people imagine.

Someone may continue working, caring for their family and managing everyday responsibilities while privately struggling with alcohol or drug use.

Some signs that substance use may be becoming problematic include:

• Using alcohol or drugs more frequently or in larger amounts than intended.

• Finding it difficult to cut down despite wanting to.

• Relying on substances to relax, sleep or manage emotions.

• Feeling anxious, irritable or distressed when unable to use.

• Hiding or minimising substance use because of embarrassment or concern about others' reactions.

• Continuing to use despite difficulties affecting health, relationships, finances or responsibilities.

Experiencing one of these concerns does not automatically mean someone has a substance use disorder. However, these patterns may indicate that further reflection or professional assessment would be helpful.

In Australia, alcohol remains the most common principal drug of concern among people accessing publicly funded alcohol and other drug treatment services (AIHW, 2026).

This reminds us that substance-related difficulties can involve familiar, socially accepted behaviours as well as illicit substances.

The Connection Between Addiction and Mental Health

Substance use and mental health can influence one another in complicated ways.

Someone experiencing anxiety or depression may use alcohol or drugs for temporary relief. Yet substance use can also contribute to worsening sleep, emotional instability, anxiety and depressive symptoms.

The Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (2026) recognises this relationship as complex and potentially operating in both directions.

A trauma-informed approach seeks to understand the person's experiences without assuming that substance use is always caused by trauma.

Rather than asking only, "How do we stop the behaviour?", it can also be helpful to explore:

"What purpose has this behaviour been serving, and what support might help meet that need more safely?"

This perspective does not minimise the potential harms of substance use. It recognises that meaningful change often requires attention to both the behaviour and the circumstances surrounding it.

Why Can Change Feel So Difficult?

Many people experiencing substance-related difficulties genuinely want things to change.

Yet changing established patterns can involve cravings, physical dependence, emotional discomfort, fear of failure and uncertainty about coping without substances.

Shame and stigma can create further barriers.

A review by Farhoudian and colleagues (2022) identified individual, social and structural barriers to accessing treatment, demonstrating that seeking help involves more than personal motivation.

Recovery is not always straightforward. Some people experience setbacks, while others make gradual changes towards their goals.

A return to substance use does not erase previous progress, but it may signal a need to reassess triggers, support and treatment approaches.

Recovery is not about achieving perfection. It is about working towards meaningful, sustainable change.

What Can Help Support Recovery?

There is no single recovery pathway that suits everyone.

Depending on individual circumstances, support may involve counselling, medical care, specialist AOD treatment, peer support or a combination of approaches.

Helpful starting points may include recognising triggers, identifying emotional needs, strengthening supportive relationships and developing alternative ways of managing distress.

Motivational interviewing and other evidence-informed psychological approaches may assist people to explore their concerns and consider changes. Research suggests motivational interviewing can offer some benefits, although outcomes vary and it is not consistently more effective than other active treatments (Schwenker et al., 2023).

An important safety consideration: People who are physically dependent on alcohol or certain medications, including benzodiazepines, should seek medical advice before reducing or stopping use. Withdrawal can sometimes be medically dangerous and may require supervised care.

How Can an Accredited Mental Health Social Worker Help?

Seeking support does not mean you have reached a crisis or need to have all the answers.

At Bloom Beyond Counselling, I provide a compassionate, non-judgemental space to explore the relationship between substance use, emotional wellbeing and life experiences.

Drawing on my mental health and AOD practice background, I use trauma-informed, person-centred and evidence-informed approaches to support individuals experiencing emotional distress, problematic substance use and co-occurring mental health concerns.

Counselling may focus on understanding patterns of behaviour, managing difficult emotions, strengthening coping skills and identifying personally meaningful goals.

Support is collaborative and respects each person's dignity, cultural context, circumstances and right to make informed decisions. Where medical withdrawal or specialist treatment is needed, appropriate referrals can form part of coordinated care.

A Different Way Forward Is Possible

Sometimes, the first step towards change is recognising that something you once relied on for comfort is no longer helping in the way you hoped.

You do not have to wait until everything feels out of control before seeking support.

Whether you are questioning your substance use, struggling with emotional distress or considering changes to your wellbeing, having a safe space to talk can be a meaningful place to begin.

At Bloom Beyond Counselling, support begins with understanding, not judgement.

Bloom Beyond Counselling offers telehealth counselling across Australia and face-to-face appointments in Armidale, NSW, by arrangement, for people aged 16 years and over.

For free, confidential alcohol and other drug information and referrals in Australia, call the National Alcohol and Other Drug Hotline on 1800 250 015. In a medical emergency, call 000.

References

Australian Institute of Health and Welfare. (2026). Alcohol and other drug treatment services in Australia: Annual report 2024–25. https://www.aihw.gov.au/reports/alcohol-other-drug-treatment-services/alcohol-other-drug-treatment-services-australia/contents/insights

Australian Institute of Health and Welfare. (2026). Experiences of alcohol and other drugs among people with mental health conditions. https://www.aihw.gov.au/reports/alcohol/alcohol-drugs-mental-health

Farhoudian, A., et al. (2022). Barriers and facilitators to substance use disorder treatment: An overview of systematic reviews. Substance Abuse: Research and Treatment, 16. https://doi.org/10.1177/11782218221118462

Schwenker, R., et al. (2023). Motivational interviewing for substance use reduction. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, 2023(12), CD008063. https://doi.org/10.1002/14651858.CD008063.pub3

Votaw, V. R., & Witkiewitz, K. (2021). Motives for substance use in daily life: A systematic review of studies using ecological momentary assessment. Clinical Psychological Science, 9(4), 535–562. https://doi.org/10.1177/2167702620978614