Addiction is typically thought to be a fight two people have with one another: Antagonist versus protagonist and their obsessive desires.
This however is not entirely accurate, because although subutex addiction is most successful in a setting isolated from others, rehabilitation is thrived upon.
The very reason this article was made is quite astonishing: I inquire if the bonds formed from friendship can take the place of addiction in a person’s life.
The crisis of addiction plaguing the world is shocking. It is said, more than 270 people were involved in drug usage from illegal sources just in the year 2020, single-handedly causing alcohol to result in an annual death rate of 3 million.
Various recovery practices are said to use medical treatments, cognitive psychotherapy, and build self-discipline. But the development of new scientific studies have surfaced which suggest that social interactions, especially lasting real friendships, have an importance just as significant when one is recovering from addiction.
This article reveals friendship magic not only in recovery but also in all aspects of life, and further describes the deeper problem addiction really is, which is a sense of detachment.
The Neurobiology of Addiction and Social Bonds
1. The Hijacked Brain
The reward mechanism of the brain is corrupted by addiction. The abuse of alcohol, opioids, and stimulant drugs increases the release of dopamine which sustains the use of these drugs in a pattern that places drug addiction above everything, even basic survival necessities.
Gradually, the ability to make decisions, which is locally situated in the prefrontal cortex, weakens in functionality while the amygdala, the part of the brain that deals with stress and fearful situations, becomes increasingly active. This makes it impossible for the individual to escape the never-ending cycle of craving and withdrawal.
2. The Healing Power of Oxytocin
To counteract the effects of addiction, strengthening relationships triggers different neurochemical processes. The aura of positive social interactions like trust, friendships strengthens oxytocin which aids in the reduction of stress and counters the harmful effects of cortisol, the stress hormone. Due to its ability to stabilize the brain’s reward systems, oxytocin is prone to diminishing drug desires. Further, a 2016 study published in the journal Neuropsychopharmacology found that the administration of oxytocin caused a decrease in cocaïne-induced behavior in rats signifying the importance of oxytocin in treating addiction in humans.
3. Social Pain vs Physical Pain
Positive social interactions and friendships immediately reduces a person’s desire to consume drugs and helps with the trauma and loneliness that has often caused addiction to far too many people. According to Dr. Elaine’s research, social rejection pain activates the same brain areas as physical trauma.
Historical and Cultural Perspectives: Community as Medicine
Indigenous Wisdom
Long before modern medicine, Indigenous cultures viewed addiction as a rupture in communal harmony. Healing ceremonies like the Native American Sun Dance or Māori takiwātanga emphasized collective responsibility and restored connections to family and land. These practices recognized that recovery required reintegration into a supportive social fabric.
The Rise of 12-Step Fellowships
Founded in 1935, Alcoholics Anonymous, or AA, fundamentally changed the way recovery was treated by emphasizing fellowship over sheer determination. Its 12 step model based on honesty, accountability, and self-help groups has led to the formation of over 200 spin off groups, including Narcotics Anonymous and Gamblers Anonymous. The critics of AA argue that its spiritual emphasis is not applicable to all, but the success behind it lies within: members claiming their group as a second family is a common occurrence.
The Limitations of Institutionalization
Patients undergoing rehabilitation in the mid 20th century usually underwent very harsh models of care which included confinement within a clinical setup. This approach only worsened the stigma and embarrassment they suffered due to substance abuse. This was countered by the therapeutic community movement of the 1960s which began with Synanon and Daytop Village. They introduced residential programs in which people suffering from the same illnesses would work and undergo therapy together. These communities proved that recovery is possible only in an environment that fosters mutual respect.
Case Studies: Friendship in Action
1. The Rat Park Experiment
In the 1970s, psychologist Bruce Alexander conducted an experiment that would forever cut into American drug policy. When kept in spiteful isolation in bare cages, rats behaved rather predictably. These caged rats would engage in compulsive consumption of morphine laced water. Subsequently, rats kept in a more stimulating environment, referring to the experiment as “Rat Park”, largely rejected the drugs. The experiment reflects the previously held beliefs around addiction purely as engaging in drug abuse rather than addiction in itself as a multi-layered societal issue in today’s context.
2. Veterans Overcoming PTSD and Addiction
American veterans suffering from PTSD and addiction often seek comfort amongst these peers. While Team Rubicon and Dryhootch provide sober socialization through service projects, veterans social encounters through these activities lowers the rate of these veterans relapsing back into drinking.
3. LGBTQ+ Communities and Harm Reduction
Discriminated and marginalized groups such as LGBTQ+ individuals carry the weight of trauma and thus have higher chances of getting addicted. Programs initiated from Ali Forney Center, located in New York not only provides housing for youth but also serves towards crafting a chosen family for these homeless LGBTQ+ youth while simultaneously providing mentorship and addiction therapy. Such supportive ties help break the vicious cycle of isolation and substance abuse.
The Double-Edged Sword: Risks of Social Recovery
1. Codependency and Toxic Relationships
Not all relationships are nurturing. A good example would be codependent relationships in which one person enables the addictive behavior of the other. Such relationships can do much harm. There is also a risk of relapse for recovering individuals in unfriendly surrounding situations.
2. The Myth of “One-Size-Fits-All”
Just as extroverts would flourish in social gatherings, introverts and neurodivergent people would find the 12-step meetings extremely challenging, thus the need for recovery is dependent on the individual’s requirements. This can be achieved through small trusted friend circles or even online support groups.
3. When Friendship Isn’t Enough
When a person suffers from severe addiction they often need medical detox, psychological therapy, and sometimes even medication-assisted treatment (MAT). While social support remains important, it can sometimes substitute treatment. It is an accepted fact that people suffering from Opioid use disorder need Methadone or Buprenorphine to make their brain’s chemistry stable before the formation of social bonds.
Modern Innovations: Reimagining Connection
Digital Communities
No doubt, the virtual recovery platforms gained prominence during the pandemic. Apps like Loosid and Sober Grid provide continuous peer support, and there are over 400,000 participants in Reddit’s r/stopdrinking community. While these platforms liberalize access to support, the lack of face-to-face interaction does come with a caveat.
Peer Recovery Coaching
With long-term recovery, certified specialists are now integrated with clinicians at hospitals and rehabilitation centers. This integration helps build trust as the professionals can demonstrate a hopeful life built after sobriety. Such peer liaisons can also aid in closing the gap between treatment and daily life.
The Role of Pets
The companionship of pets can also enhance the recovery journey, even if it lacks the intensity as human friendship. Pets serve as therapy for enhancing love and care, while therapy dogs provide relieve anxiety through surrogate companionship to people who claim to be loners.
Toward a Society of Connection
Thorough research has shown that while friendship is not a cure for addiction, it can serve as a helpful tool during rehabilitation. . In order to do this, society must work towards addressing the issues of addiction which include inequality, trauma, and loneliness, and support community building that makes people feel valued.
This entails systemic transformation where cities actively work towards creating public spaces that are more accessible to people with disabilities, where schools promote emotional intelligence and the workplace provides better rehabilitation friendly policies. On an individual level, we have to shift our attitude towards addiction and remove the stigma surrounding it.
As Johann Hari states, “The opposite of addiction is not sobriety. The opposite of addiction is connection.” Regardless of whether addiction can be eliminated through friendship, one undeniable fact remains. Healing is possible. As we figure out new ways of recovery, one thing that needs to be remembered is that no one should be left to fight their demons alone.
