Self-injury is a serious and often misunderstood form of emotional distress. While it may not stem from a desire to end your life, non-suicidal self-harm – such as cutting, burning or hitting yourself – can become a compulsive behavior that’s difficult to stop. Over time, it may begin taking on a ritualistic quality that resembles addiction. This troubling pattern is a cry for help, signaling intense inner turmoil that requires professional intervention.
What Is Pain Addiction?
Pain addiction refers to repeatedly, deliberately inflicting pain on yourself to achieve a sense of relief, control or emotional regulation. For some, physical pain offers a momentary escape from overwhelming feelings like sadness, anxiety, anger or numbness. Your brain releases endorphins, the body’s natural painkillers, reinforcing the behavior and creating a feedback loop.
Though not officially classified as an addiction, self-harming behaviors can become deeply habitual and hard to break – much like substance use.
Self-harm is never a healthy coping mechanism. Even if it brings a fleeting sense of calm, the resulting cascade of guilt, shame and secrecy will cause further isolation that makes it even harder for you to ask for help.
The Overlap Between Self-Harm and Substance Abuse
Many people who self-injure also struggle with drug or alcohol misuse. This combination can be especially dangerous, since substances lower inhibitions, dull pain perception and heighten impulsivity. Under the influence, you may hurt yourself more severely than you intended, then feel too ashamed to admit you have a behavioral problem.
Additionally, self-harm and substance abuse are similar because both are attempts to manage overwhelming emotions, traumatic memories or mental illness. They may stem from the same root causes, such as:
- Childhood trauma or abuse
- Depression, anxiety or PTSD
- Low self-esteem
- Difficulty processing emotions
- A history of neglect or invalidation
When these behaviors co-occur, it’s critical to treat both simultaneously to prevent one from reinforcing the other.
Why People Self-Harm
Though pain addiction may seem irrational to outsiders, self-harm can feel like a valid survival strategy if you are struggling. Understanding the reasons behind self-injury can reduce stigma and highlight the need for compassionate care.
- Emotional release: Physical pain may distract you from emotional distress.
- Feeling “real” again: Self-harm can temporarily ground you if you feel numb or dissociated.
- Self-punishment: Some view pain as a form of atonement for perceived failures or flaws.
- Coping with trauma: Those with a history of trauma may turn to self-injury to manage flashbacks, fear or helplessness.
Breaking the Cycle and Seeking Help
Self-harm is not a phase or attention-seeking behavior – it’s a serious mental health concern. If you routinely engage in non-suicidal self-injury, it’s essential to seek help as early as possible.
Treatment for pain addiction focuses on:
- Identifying the underlying emotional causes
- Learning healthy emotional regulation and coping skills
- Replacing harmful behaviors with safer alternatives
- Addressing co-occurring conditions like addiction, depression or trauma
Therapies such as cognitive behavioral therapy, dialectical behavior therapy and trauma-informed care have proven effective in helping people understand their pain and develop healthier responses.
Specialized Care at Pine Grove
Pine Grove Behavioral Health & Addiction Services takes a holistic approach to treating self-harm and co-occurring substance use disorders. Our compassionate team of experts understands the complexity of pain addiction and the emotional wounds that often drive it.
Our adult psychiatric program provides personalized care that addresses the root causes of these behaviors while equipping our clients with tools to regulate their emotions, develop resilience and build meaningful lives. Contact us today to learn more about our comprehensive treatment options.
