scalp picking and recreational drug usage correlations....

Hi! I'm 29 and I too like so many of you suffer from Dermatillomania. It started as a kid with scab picking. As I got older, I went through periods where it was really bad, going so far as to burning myself. When I got to be about 18, I started experimenting pretty heavily with drugs. I know I still picked, I don't think I have ever not picked, but I didn't view it as a problem during this time. I don't remember feeling the NEED to pick. I would just happily pick the accidents. Recently I quit doing a lot drugs and while I'm no where perfect in my drug and alcohol recovery,I am no where near the levels that I was. I still smoke weed regularly, but I have been steadily reducing my drug intake for the last year or two. I started with quitting smoking cigarettes (about 14 months now) and I haven't done any cocaine, meth or hallucinogens in even longer. During the last 3-4 months I have dramatically cut back on my alcohol intake. During this same 3-4 month period however, I have started picking at my scalp and lips worse than I ever have before. It is an obsession. I need to do it. I feel like if I don't do it, there will never be a relief. My scalp literally feels like I have ran it through a meat grinder, my hair is falling out and even as I write this, I feel the urge to pick at it. My boyfriend makes comments about my scabbed lips, and kisses me less and less. I hate myself for doing it and the more I hate myself, the more I want to do it. It's vicious and I am wondering if there is a correlation between the increase in picking and the decrease in drug and alcohol usage. Has anyone else out there had similar responses?