Anger and Addiction – You Should Know

You have often heard that when people are angry, they blame others for their anger. For example, sentences like “You made me angry” and “It’s your fault, not mine” are common for those who do not recognize their fault and are unable to manage their anger. Why? Because anger is a condition that destroys the ability to think and understand clearly. Too much anger leads to insanity. Excessive anger is also harmful to physical and mental health. It can cause problems like stress, hypertension, headache, anxiety, stroke, and heart attack to say a few. It is also one of the causes of drug addiction.

If anger is so bad then why is it there? What is anger after all?

What is anger?

According to American Psychological Association, “Anger is an emotion characterized by antagonism toward someone or something you feel has deliberately done you wrong”.

Anger is a feeling, as with the rest of the feelings each one of us feels such as happiness, sadness, and worry; etc., etc. Everyone on earth feels this basic emotion. There is no one on earth who can claim that he or she has never felt anger. It’s something natural. Sometimes people don’t know how to deal with their anger. Some people can manage their anger well but others cannot. Feeling angry is not an issue. The problem is how one deal with their anger. Some people change their anger to aggression and some channel it to positive and constructive outcomes. It’s always the consequence of coping with this basic feeling that is problematic.

People who use drugs mostly are unaware of their feelings and emotions. They only care and think about ways to continue their addiction.

Now, the question arises that how can one deal with their anger. The answer is simple. Those who cannot understand their basic emotions and feelings can consult a mental health professional and, have anger management training.

Addiction and anger

Anger and Addiction have a very strong connection. Anger leads to addiction. In drug addiction, people show a lot of anger, in fact, they become aggressive. Anger is harmful to people with substance use problems as it is one of the main contributing factors to relapse. During the process of recovery, if they are not able to manage their anger, then this unmanageable anger will result in relapse. They will always blame others for all their problems unless and until they have a proper relapse prevention plan including anger management training.

Good News

There is good news for everyone struggling with managing their anger. At PRC Clifton Karachi, we treat clients for their anger issues, whether inpatient or outpatient, addict or non-addict, the service of anger management counseling and training are for everyone. At Parvarish Recovery Center, a team of professionals provides anger management training through different kinds of therapies such as yoga, meditation, art therapy, self-awareness workshops, and individual and group therapy sessions. And for people with drug addiction, there is a holistic individualized program for all the issues.