Substances may be consumed by people as a way to deal with problems in their life and overcome feelings of inadequacy. According to HelpGuide.org, when substances are used to overcome discomfort, such as low self-esteem, the problem is only hidden, and when the substance is not used, the problem returns. This results in the need for continued use at higher rates, which can have a variety of devastating consequences, reports HelpGuide.org.
Performance
Low self-esteem causes a person to feel he is not capable of being successful, that he will not be good at anything. Therefore, he will stop trying. Substance abuse makes it easier for him to dismiss his cares and responsibilities thus, resulting in poor performance at work or school, notes the MayoClinic.com.
Risky Behaviors
A person who abuses drugs or alcohol and who has low self-esteem can easily be manipulated by her peers. People can convince her to engage in high-risk behaviors to fit in, such as driving while intoxicated, having unprotected sex with multiple partners, using a combination of drugs and alcohol together or getting into legal trouble on a repeated basis.
Abuse
Abuse tends to be found at higher rates in households where there is substance abuse already. A person who physically or emotionally abuses another person generally has low self-esteem. He abuses others to make himself feel stronger and more confident. One of the outcomes of substance abuse and low self-esteem is, being a victim of abuse or becoming an abuser.
Death
When a person lacking self-confidence abuses drugs or alcohol, death can be one of the resulting consequences. According to the MayoClinic.com, suicide rates among people abusing substances are higher than among people who do not, and the use of some types of drugs can lead to sudden death. Having low self-esteem along with a substance abuse problem will only increase the risk of suicide.
Addiction
HelpGuide.org notes that addiction can follow substance abuse. When a person needs to consume more of the substance in order to feel high, and the desire to consume drugs or alcohol intensifies, the abuse becomes an addiction. A person with low self-esteem is at higher risk of developing an addiction because she will need the drug or alcohol constantly in social interactions to overcome her feelings in those moments.
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