Self Harm & Addiction

What is self-harm?

Self-harm refers to the act of intentionally causing physical pain or injury to oneself as a way to cope with overwhelming emotions, stress or difficult situations. It is often a response to emotional distress or a way to express feelings that are hard to put into words.

Self-harm can provide temporary relief from emotional pain, but it does not address the underlying issues and can lead to more serious problems over time. It’s important to understand that self-harm is not necessarily a suicide attempt, but it is a sign that someone is struggling and may need support.

What kind of behaviours are classed as self-harm?

Many people might think of self-harm as simply cutting oneself. This is indeed a common form of self-harm; other, lesser-known behaviours also fall under the umbrella of self-harm. For some, the desire to cause harm to themselves takes on different forms, and it’s important to understand this range of behaviours to recognise when someone may need help.

One specific type of self-harm is known as Non-Suicidal Self-Injury (NSSI), which refers to intentional acts of harming oneself without the desire to end one’s life. Here are a few examples of behaviours associated with NSSI:

Burning the skin: Someone may use a lighter or match to burn themselves, seeking pain as a way to cope with overwhelming emotions.
Punching or hitting oneself: A person might repeatedly punch themselves or bang their head against a wall, aiming to release inner tension or frustration.
Picking at wounds or scars: Constantly reopening wounds, either through picking or scratching, may be a way for someone to focus on physical pain over emotional distress.
Biting oneself: Some may bite their arms or hands to inflict pain, often leaving bruises or marks.
Ingesting harmful substances: A person may swallow toxic substances or deliberately take more than the recommended amount of medication as a form of self-harm.
Interfering with healing: Some may purposefully prevent cuts or wounds from healing by rubbing, scratching or picking at the area.

Recognising these behaviours is key to understanding that self-harm isn’t limited to one form. It’s a complex response to emotional pain. and anyone struggling with it deserves care, empathy and support.

Why do people self-harm?

It’s not easily understood as to why someone would choose to self-harm. From the outside, it might seem like a random or senseless behaviour, but for those who engage in it, deeper emotional reasons often drive their actions. Self-harm is usually a response to overwhelming feelings or situations that feel too difficult to cope with, and it can become a way of managing intense emotions.

Here are some reasons why someone might choose to self-harm:

To release emotional pain: Physical pain from self-harm can feel like a release or distraction from emotional suffering. For some, it’s easier to manage physical wounds than to face their inner turmoil.
To regain a sense of control: In situations where a person feels powerless or overwhelmed, self-harm might provide a temporary sense of control over their body and their emotions, especially when everything else seems uncontrollable.
To punish themselves: Some people struggle with feelings of guilt or self-hatred, and they may feel the need to punish themselves by causing physical harm. They might believe they deserve pain or feel ashamed of their emotions.
To feel something when feeling numb: For those who experience emotional numbness or dissociation, self-harm can serve as a way to feel anything, even if it’s pain. It may bring them back to feeling grounded or alive when everything else feels disconnected.
To signal distress or ask for help: In some cases, self-harm can be a way of expressing a need for support when a person doesn’t know how to ask for it directly. It may be a way of showing others that they’re struggling.

Understanding these reasons doesn’t mean justifying the behaviour but it can help others approach someone who self-harms with more compassion and understanding.

Is there a link between self-harm and addiction?

There is a strong and complex link between self-harming and addiction. Studies have shown that a significant percentage of individuals with substance use disorders engage in self-harming behaviours. For example, a 2019 study found that 32.7% of people with pre-existing substance use disorders had engaged in self-harm.

Another study revealed that 27.8% of people in addiction treatment had previously self-harmed, with methods including cutting, scratching or even punching themselves until they bruised. These behaviours were not intended as suicide attempts but were nonetheless damaging.

The relationship between self-harm and addiction is intricate, and it raises the question: which comes first? There’s no definitive answer, but what is clear is that self-harm and addiction can influence each other in various ways.

For some, addiction leads to self-harm. The emotional turmoil that comes with substance abuse (such as guilt, shame and despair) can overwhelm a person’s ability to cope, leading them to self-harm as a way to release or manage these intense feelings.

In other cases, self-harm can precede addiction. People may turn to drugs or alcohol as a way to numb the emotional pain or distress that drives their self-harming behaviour. Over time, this coping mechanism can evolve into a full-blown addiction.

In either case, the two behaviours often create a vicious cycle. Whether self-harm leads to substance use or substance use leads to self-harm, the cycle can be difficult to break, trapping people in a pattern of emotional pain and physical harm. Understanding this connection is key to providing the right support and intervention.

Can Liberty House help with self-harm and addiction?

At Liberty House, we understand that addiction rehab can be incredibly beneficial for those struggling with both addiction and self-harm. However, self-harming behaviours must be under control before beginning addiction treatment. This is to ensure that these behaviours don’t interfere with your recovery process. We recommend reaching out to a mental health specialist for support in managing self-harm before attending rehab.

Once your self-harming behaviours are under control, you’ll be able to start your recovery journey with us. Our programme begins with a medically monitored detox to help cleanse your body of substances in a safe, supportive environment. After detox, you’ll transition into therapy, where the focus will be on overcoming addiction.

While our primary goal is addiction recovery, some of the therapeutic methods we use can also help address self-harming behaviours. Therapies such as Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) and Dialectical Behavioural Therapy (DBT) target the psychological aspects of addiction and can be effective in managing the emotions and triggers that may lead to self-harm.

Aftercare is an integral part of our programme, providing continued support as you transition back to everyday life. This ongoing care helps maintain your progress and ensures you have a safety net in place.

If you or someone you know is struggling with self-harm and addiction, we encourage you to reach out to Liberty House. We’re here to help you move forward.

Frequently Asked Questions

How to help someone dealing with self-harm

Offer support without judgement, listen to their feelings and encourage them to seek professional help. It’s important to create a safe space for them to express themselves.

What causes self-harm?

Self-harm is often a response to overwhelming emotions, stress or trauma. It can also be linked to mental health conditions, feelings of guilt or the need to regain control over emotions.

What is self-harm?

Self-harm is intentionally causing physical harm to oneself, often as a way to cope with emotional distress. It can include cutting, burning or other harmful behaviours done without suicidal intent.

(Click here to see works cited)

“Self-Injury & Recovery Resources (SIRR).” The Cornell Research Program on Self-Injury and Recovery, www.selfinjury.bctr.cornell.edu/about-self-injury.html. Accessed 21 Oct. 2024.
Gupta R, Narnoli S, Das N, Sarkar S, Balhara YPS. Patterns and predictors of self-harm in patients with substance-use disorder. Indian J Psychiatry. 2019 Sep-Oct;61(5):431-438. doi: 10.4103/psychiatry.IndianJPsychiatry_578_18. PMID: 31579165; PMCID: PMC6767833.
Gratz KL, Tull MT. The Relationship Between Emotion Dysregulation and Deliberate Self-Harm Among Inpatients with Substance Use Disorders. Cognit Ther Res. 2010 Dec 1;34(6):544-553. doi: 10.1007/s10608-009-9268-4. PMID: 21132101; PMCID: PMC2996045.