The Link Between Emotional Dysregulation and Substance Use in Young Adults

Emotional dysregulation is one of the most overlooked drivers of substance use in young adults. It is not just about impulsivity or poor decision making. It is about the inability to manage intense emotional states. At Runway Recovery, we treat emotional dysregulation as a core clinical issue, not a side effect.

What Is Emotional Dysregulation?

Emotional dysregulation refers to difficulty controlling emotional responses. This can show up as mood swings, outbursts, shutdowns, or chronic anxiety. For young adults, it often stems from unresolved trauma, attachment disruptions, or neurodevelopmental factors. When emotions feel overwhelming or unpredictable, substances can become a quick escape.

Why It Matters in Dual Diagnosis Treatment

Substance use is rarely just about the substance. It is often a coping strategy for managing emotional pain, fear, or shame. In dual diagnosis treatment, addressing emotional dysregulation is essential. Without it, clients may stabilize temporarily but relapse when faced with stress or interpersonal conflict.

At Runway, we use evidence based modalities like DBT, CBT, and trauma informed care to help clients build emotional regulation skills. We also integrate experiential therapies including art, movement, music, and mindfulness to support emotional processing in nonverbal ways.

How Runway Recovery Supports Emotional Regulation

Our program structure is designed to reduce chaos and increase predictability. Clients participate in daily group therapy, multiple individual sessions per week, and structured routines that reinforce safety and accountability. We teach practical skills for identifying emotions, tolerating distress, and responding instead of reacting.

Family involvement is also key. Many young adults struggle with emotional regulation in relational contexts. Through family therapy and parent coaching, we help rebuild communication patterns and reduce triggers that fuel dysregulation.

Long Term Impact

When emotional regulation improves, so does treatment engagement, relapse prevention, and overall mental health. Clients begin to trust themselves, navigate relationships more effectively, and make decisions that support long term recovery.

At Runway Recovery, we do not just treat symptoms. We help clients build the emotional capacity to sustain change.