Social pain (psychache), such as ostracisation/rejection/bullying, can hurt as much as physical pain. Forgiveness and acetaminophen have interactive effects on experiences of social pain. Telling victims to just “let it go” is just like withholding pain medicines from patients recovering from surgery.
We need to tell the victims that psychological wounds are like physical wounds. They will heal but the healing processes can be long and painful. Psychological pain may come back in waves, and the scars may remain just like physical scars. If the psychological pain is unbearable, don’t hesitant to seek mental health. “It’s okay not to be okay.” Don’t be persuaded to think “it is all in the head.” Psychological wounds are as real as physical wounds. Good luck.
Using anything to escape or dull an emotional state is the very root of addiction. Just because use doesn’t result in the onset of a high doesn’t mean it can’t be used to alter a psychological state, which, is the basis of the article. Your definition of addiction seems to be extremely narrow. Using pain medication in place of healing emotionally fits.
Who said addiction is personal failure? We’re all addicted to things that make us feel better one way or another.