Grief and Addiction | Symptoms and Support Options

What is grief?

Grief is what we experience when we lose something or someone that really matters to us. It might come after a death, a breakup, a big life change or even when things just don’t turn out how we hoped. Grief is not always overwhelming or dramatic. Sometimes, it’s more of a quiet heaviness that sits with us, showing up in everyday moments when we least expect it.

We grieve because we care. When something’s been part of our life, especially for a long time, losing it can leave us feeling off balance. Grief is part of how we figure out what life looks like now. It’s not about forgetting or “moving on” but about slowly adjusting and finding new ways to keep going while still remembering what we lost.

Grief can be messy and sometimes tiring, but it’s also really human.

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Are there different types of grief?

Grief isn’t only about feeling sad. It can affect how we think, act, sleep and show up in daily life. And it doesn’t always look the way we expect. While some people might cry or talk about what they’re going through, others may feel numb, distracted or even unusually calm. That’s because grief comes in different forms and each brings its own set of feelings and challenges.

Anticipatory grief

This type of grief starts before a loss has actually happened. You might be caring for someone with a long-term illness or slowly coming to terms with a big life change. Even though nothing’s “final” yet, the feeling of loss has already begun. It can be draining, especially when you’re trying to stay strong for others while quietly preparing yourself for what’s ahead.

Complicated grief

While many people gradually adjust after a loss, others find it harder to move forward. Complicated grief can make someone feel stuck like the pain of the loss isn’t easing with time. It might affect sleep, appetite, relationships or even your sense of purpose. This kind of grief can be frustrating, especially when you want to feel better but don’t know how to get there.

Disenfranchised grief

Not every type of loss is recognised or understood by others. When people grieve a miscarriage, the loss of a pet or even the end of a long friendship, they might feel like they don’t have permission to express their pain. Disenfranchised grief can be harder to talk about, especially if others dismiss it or don’t realise it’s something that really hurts.

Delayed grief

Grief doesn’t always hit straight away. Sometimes people stay busy, go into “practical mode,” or feel numb for a while after a loss. Then later, perhaps even months down the line, it surfaces. When this happens, it can feel confusing, especially if those around you seem to have moved on. But it’s still a valid part of the grieving process.

Collective grief

This is the kind of grief we experience as a group. It might follow a natural disaster, a public tragedy or something that affects a whole community. Even if the loss isn’t personal, it can still feel heavy. People often look for connection or shared meaning during times like this, which is why support from others can feel especially important.

Are there links between grief and addiction?

For those of us who’ve experienced grief, it’s not uncommon to hear about someone turning to alcohol or even stronger drugs to try and cope. At first glance, this might seem like a natural, though unhealthy, response to something traumatic. But the reality is that the connection between grief and addiction runs much deeper and is far more serious than it may first appear.

One of the most concerning findings is the increase in physical and mental health issues following bereavement. For example, research from Finland shows that people who have lost a loved one face a significantly higher risk of dying from alcohol-related diseases. In the United States, one study found that 4% of adolescents who had lost a parent developed an alcohol or drug use disorder, compared to none in the non-bereaved group. Those who were grieving also showed a higher risk of depression.

What makes this link so dangerous is that alcohol and drug misuse can worsen both mental and physical health, becoming a lot more than just coping methods. This means the chances of developing long-term health problems or even dying from natural or unnatural causes increase over time.

This is why it is so important to recognise the warning signs early and seek help if grief begins to take a toll in unexpected ways.

Can grief and addiction be treated in a rehab centre?

Recovering from addiction is never easy, and when grief is part of the picture, it can feel even more complex. That’s why it’s important for treatment approaches to support both the emotional pain of loss and the challenges of substance use. Addressing grief and addiction together can lead to a stronger, more lasting recovery.

Therapies used in rehab

While most treatment centres don’t offer rehab specifically for grief, many of the therapies used in addiction treatment also help people process grief in healthy and constructive ways.

One-to-one counselling and group therapy sessions often explore the underlying causes of addiction, giving individuals space to work through difficult emotions linked to bereavement.

Therapies such as Dialectical Behavioural Therapy (DBT) are especially useful here, as they focus on managing intense emotions, building distress tolerance and helping individuals regulate their responses to overwhelming feelings like loss. This can be a valuable tool in helping someone stay grounded through both grief and recovery.

In addition to talking therapies, holistic treatments like yoga, mindfulness and meditation are often part of the recovery process. These help people reconnect with their bodies and build emotional strength, both of which support grief recovery too.

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Aftercare and continued emotional support

Ongoing aftercare, including support groups and check-in sessions, also plays a key role in helping individuals stay on track. Sharing experiences with others who understand can make grief feel less isolating and offer encouragement during tough moments.

What are the next steps?

If you or someone you care about is struggling with addiction and finding it hard to cope with grief, you’re not alone. At Addiction Helper, we can guide you towards treatment options that not only support recovery from addiction but also help you process the pain of loss. Our team is available to listen, advise, and provide you with the right support.

Call us today for confidential advice and take the first step toward healing.

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Our compassionate team are ready and available to take your call, and guide you towards lasting the lasting addiction recovery you deserve.

Frequently Asked Questions

How does grief lead to addiction?

Grief can lead to addiction when individuals use alcohol or drugs to numb emotional pain, creating a cycle of dependence while struggling with coping with loss and substance abuse.

Can addiction delay the grieving process?

Yes, addiction can suppress emotional processing, preventing individuals from fully experiencing or resolving grief, which delays healing and complicates both grief and addiction recovery support.

What therapies are recommended for grief and addiction?

Recommended therapies include one-to-one counselling, group therapy and DBT. These provide support for coping with loss and substance abuse, helping individuals manage emotions and start grief recovery.

(Click here to see works cited)

- Drabwell L, Eng J, Stevenson F, King M, Osborn D, Pitman A. Perceptions of the Use of Alcohol and Drugs after Sudden Bereavement by Unnatural Causes: Analysis of Online Qualitative Data. Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2020 Jan 21;17(3):677. doi: 10.3390/ijerph17030677. PMID: 31972984; PMCID: PMC7037803.