Social skills as an addiction prevention tool.

These are the reasons why social skills protect us from addictions.

We are sure that at some point you may have wondered what causes someone to fall into an addiction.

Well, let us tell you that actually, there are many reasons why one may fall into it. One of the reasons is that a person does not feel good about themselves, has a very low level of self-esteem, is very impulsive or is looking for a refuge from the Pain of their existence.

And although it may seem somewhat surprising to you, the lack of social skills is also an important trigger for someone to become an addict..

What do social skills have to do with addiction?

The truth is, it has more to do with it than you might think. Before analyzing this issue, it is important to establish what we are talking about.

Thus, social skills are behaviors that are learned from our childhood in the environment in which we move and that are largely responsible for how we behave and relate to others. and are largely responsible for how we behave and relate to others.

Let's give you an example: shyness implies that it is very possible that this person does not have the necessary social skills to be able to relate properly with other people. This will take its toll on him/her, and will make him/her feel bad about him/herself. It is even possible that it happens the other way around.

That same lack of social skills would cause her to monopolize any conversation, and that could have equally negative consequences.

What social skills exist and are important?

Yes, there are a myriad of social skills that serve to help us relate to others. Obviously, to talk about and mention each and every one of them could take forever, which is why we are going to focus the discussion on those that are relevant to addiction specifically.

1. Being able to say no

It is important that when we are faced with an addiction, there are times when we find it very difficult to say no. This, in turn, makes it very difficult to say no to the addiction. This, when it comes to rejecting a temptation to use is fundamental..

Although it may seem to you that it is not very important, it is actually a giant step to refuse an offer of the object of addiction.

2. Accept the help of others

We always say that with the help of others we are stronger. This is a fact. If you are not able to ask for help for something that happens to you, it is possible to turn to the consumption of an addiction to take refuge and alleviate the suffering.. For that reason you must train this aspect, to ask for help and to be able to accept it.

3. Talk to

You are a person with a lot to say, with a lot to give. You don't need anything to "loosen your tongue". If you are insecure or shy, you may feel the need to turn to an addictive object in order to converse with others.. In this sense, training disinhibition is basic. Work on it from now on.

4. Express what you feel

Have you ever felt overwhelmed by feeling things? It doesn't matter if it's rage, anger, fear or sadness, it doesn't matter, the point is that those feelings don't allow us to be who we are..... If you're not able to get it out it can be a factor in developing an addiction to shutting up what you feel. It's much healthier, and you know it, to talk.

These, although they are obviously not the only social skills that exist, they are some of the ones that have a big influence when it comes to being able to fall into addiction in any of its forms. It is essential that we learn to manage and handle them, as this will not only prevent them, but will also allow us to feel more fulfilled. not only will we be preventing them, but will also allow us to feel fuller, better with ourselves and with the people around us.better with ourselves and with the people around us.

Are you assertive?

Being assertive is essential to develop and improve social skills. But don't worry, it can be worked on, and we can help you.

The training process, let's say, consists on exercises and exemplifying situations in which it is difficult to act and react appropriately..

Undoubtedly, assertiveness is one of the most important skills that an addict should work on, because thanks to it, they will be able to express those feelings or thoughts without adopting an aggressive or harmful point of view for themselves.

While it is important for the addict to act appropriately, he must also put himself in someone else's shoes. He must assume that if they offer him a glass of wine, they do so without malice, but it is the addict who must put up the barrier. He does not want to consume, and he must express this in a clear way.. No.

It is a learning process

It may seem to you that this is a big undertaking for you, and that you will never be able to achieve it, but nothing could be further from the truth. The acquisition of various social skills is one more tool you have to fight against addiction.. It is up to you to develop them or not.