Confidence is an interesting thing. Having confidence in ourselves can help us in so many ways. On the other hand, if we don’t have self-confidence, this lack of confidence can have negative repercussions on so many areas of our lives.

For example, low self-confidence could contribute to alcohol and drug abuse. If people feel badly about themselves, they might use drugs or drink. They might be trying to hide these feelings of inferiority. You can see this in the way some people call alcohol “liquid courage” because they feel that drinking makes them braver, more confident people.

People might drink a few shots or take drugs to mask their low self-confidence. This tactic might work for a short amount of time. The intoxicating effects of drugs or alcohol could lower their inhibitions or make them forget about their lack of confidence. Of course, the effects of alcohol and drugs are temporary. When they wear off, people might feel as badly as they did before.

Or they could even feel worse. That’s because drinking and drug use could contribute to conditions such as depression and anxiety. Depression and anxiety can damage a person’s self-confidence even further.

People struggling with depression and anxiety also sometimes turn to drugs and alcohol to soothe their pain. They could become dependent on these substances and abuse them. Drug and alcohol abuse can damage a person’s self-confidence as well.

It appears, then, that low self-confidence can help cause substance use disorder. Substance use disorder, too, can help cause low self-confidence. This relationship between our psychological states and substance use disorder illustrates just how complex drug and alcohol abuse really is. Substance use disorder is a both a physical and a psychological condition. Treating both aspects of this condition is crucial to building a successful and lasting recovery.