Crying is often seen as a sign of weakness—but science shows it’s actually a powerful biological response that helps us process stress, regulate emotions, and even heal.

At Affect Therapeutics, we work with people who are navigating both substance use disorders (SUDs) and mental health conditions like depression, anxiety, and PTSD. Many have lived through trauma and grief. And for many, crying is part of the journey back to emotional wholeness.

Not All Tears Are the Same

Humans produce three main types of tears:

  • Basal tears keep the eyes lubricated.
  • Reflex tears respond to irritants like smoke or onions.
  • Emotional tears are triggered by strong feelings—grief, frustration, joy, or relief.

What’s fascinating is that emotional tears contain stress-related hormones and even natural painkillers.¹ This suggests that crying may help the body flush out stress and self-soothe, offering a natural relief valve during difficult times.

Emotional Crying and Mental Health

How you cry—and how often—can reflect your emotional state:

  • Silent or suppressed crying might point to unresolved trauma or dissociation.
  • Inconsolable crying could accompany panic, grief, or emotional overwhelm.
  • A lack of tears, even during sadness, may indicate depression or emotional numbing.

People recovering from substance use often describe feeling “flat” or emotionally frozen, especially early in sobriety. Crying again can feel unfamiliar—or even scary. But it’s often a sign that emotions are coming back online, which is an essential part of healing.

How Grief and Trauma Affect Crying

Many people with SUDs carry unprocessed grief—whether it’s the death of a loved one, the loss of a relationship, or even grieving the person they used to be.

Here are a few types of grief:

  • Acute grief: intense sadness and frequent crying.
  • Anticipatory grief: experienced before a loss, often more muted.
  • Disenfranchised grief: loss that isn’t publicly recognized (e.g., miscarriage, overdose death).
  • Complicated grief: persistent mourning that can interfere with life and increase relapse risk.³

Crying styles often differ depending on the type of grief. For example, complicated grief may result in tearless numbness or sudden sobbing outbursts. Understanding these responses helps therapists tailor support—and helps individuals understand they’re not “crazy,” just grieving.

What Crying Means in Addiction Recovery

In recovery, people often re-learn how to feel. Substances may have numbed those feelings for years. As emotional capacity returns, crying can become:

  • A signal of safety in therapeutic environments.
  • A sign of emotional release after trauma work.
  • A regulatory tool, calming the nervous system.

Studies show that crying can activate the parasympathetic nervous system—the body’s rest-and-digest mode—helping people return to calm after periods of high stress.⁴ It’s also a social cue, letting others know you need comfort or support.⁵

At Affect, we view crying not as a setback, but as progress.

When Crying Signals a Need for More Support

Frequent crying—or feeling completely unable to cry—can both be signs that something deeper needs attention. Emotional dysregulation is common in early recovery, especially when trauma, anxiety, or depression are also present.

If crying feels unmanageable, unpredictable, or overwhelming, it might be time to talk with your Affect provider or therapist. With the right support, emotional expression can become a healing force—not something to fear or avoid.

Final Thought: Tears Are a Sign of Strength

Recovery isn’t just about abstaining from substances. It’s about feeling again—sometimes for the first time in years. And yes, that includes crying.

At Affect Therapeutics, we support your emotional health as deeply as your sobriety. Through therapy, peer support, and medication when needed, we help you reconnect with yourself and move toward the life you want.

If you’re ready to start your journey, we’re here to walk with you—tears and all.

🧠 References

Gračanin, A., van Roeyen, B., & Vingerhoets, A. J. J. M. (2018). Why crying improves our well-being: An attachment theory perspective. Clinical Neuropsychiatry, 15(1), 31–37.

Frey, W. H., & Langseth, M. (1985). Crying: The Mystery of Tears. Winston Press.

SAMHSA (2022). Trauma and Violence. https://www.samhsa.gov/trauma-violence

Shear, M. K. (2015). Complicated Grief. New England Journal of Medicine, 372(2), 153–160.

Vingerhoets, A. J. J. M. (2013). Why Only Humans Weep: Unraveling the Mysteries of Tears. Oxford University Press.