Riding the “roller-coaster”

By definition a roller-coaster is “a type of amusement ride that employs a form of elevated railroad track designed with tight turns, steep slopes and sometimes inversions”.

As a family member of someone with a substance abuse problem, that’s exactly what life can feel like, metaphorically, and how many frequently describe it .. without the amusement bit. And I’d probably add “with dark tunnels and rapid changes”.

Many people develop a ‘survival’ mechanism, particularly when they’ve been in a situation for a long time; personal space, particularly outside the home, can give moments of respite and give the capacity to rebalance and reflect before acting or responding. Being on the receiving end, some clients report that their own resilience and ability to ride the roller-coaster of changes in behaviour is in part due to the ability to get out – go to work, visit friends, go for a walk.

The roller-coaster is the ride of constant uncertainties, the emotional highs and lows, the long dark tunnels and sudden turns that go with substance dependence, never quite being sure what each day is going to bring and eternally treading on egg shells.

The impact on mental health

Many family members talk of their own dark days when they have struggled with a wide spectrum of mixed emotions – from anger and frustration, to shame and embarrassment – and discuss low mood, constant anxiety, trauma and PTSD-type reactions and a sense of foreboding.

Finding coping strategies

It’s important to find both physical and emotional strategies that work for you: breathing and relaxation techniques help with grounding to keep calm when anxiety hits the ‘red’ zone, or things get heated; walking, ideally in nature, or some form of exercise help release endorphins, one of our ‘feel good’ hormones, to lift mood; talking, being part of a community and support network help to process negative emotions.