Chronic use of certain drugs can lead to short-and long-term changes in the brain. This leads to mental disorders, including anxiety, depression, anger, hallucinations, etc. Many drug users or people who misuse them also have various mental disorders and vice versa. Compared to the general public, people addicted to drugs are about twice as likely to suffer from mood and anxiety problems. In 2015, an estimated 43.4 million people aged 18 and older reported a form of mental illness. Of this, 8.1 million have a substance use disorder and a mental illness. Substance use disorders often occur with other psychiatric illnesses. It is often unclear whether one contributed to causing the other. Or whether common underlying risk factors lead to both disorders.
What Is The Relationship Between Drug Misuse and Mental Disorders?
- Perform at work or at school
- Maintain healthy relationships
- Deal with stressful situations
Drug addiction and alcohol is a mental illness. It is caused by a combination of physiological, biological, and environmental causes. And it results in changes in the brain’s development and function. Like other mental illnesses, addiction impairs a person’s capacity to:
Although this may be common knowledge, it’s all part of the story. The relationship between drug misuse and mental disorders is more complicated than most people are aware of.
Here Are Five Important Connections Between Drug Misuse and Mental Disorders:
1. Untreated Mental Health Disorders Raise The Risk Of Drug Abuse
People who have mental disorders often turn to drugs or alcohol to alleviate their symptoms. The substance may provide immediate relief. But, it may exacerbate symptoms over the long term. This leads to more drug abuse and an unhealthful cycle of worsening symptoms.
2. Drug Misuse Can Cause Depression, Anxiety, and Other Mental Health Problems
Not everyone who takes drugs or alcohol may have mental health problems. But if a person is predisposed to a mental illness, the signs will be caused by substance misuse. In certain circumstances, the elimination of drugs and alcohol from the system is sufficient to alleviate symptoms of depression or anxiety, for example. Still, sometimes, drug misuse causes a long-term change in brain chemistry.
3. Drug Misuse Shares Common Symptoms With Some Mental Health Issues
Alcohol and other central nervous system depressants can cause symptoms of depression. These include feelings of lethargy, depression, and despair. Chronic use can lead to irreversible changes in the chemistry of the brain. Certain stimulants, such as cocaine, may cause drug-induced psychosis. This is characterized by illusions and hallucinations, signs associated with schizophrenia. The length of a drug-induced psychotic break is normally limited. But it can also cause psychotic illness in those who are predisposed to such conditions.
4. Many People Are Struggling With Both Drug Misuse and Mental Disorders
The 2018 National Drug Use and Health Survey showed that 9.2 million adults have both a substance use disorder and a co-occurring mental or behavioral disorder. This is recognized as a dual diagnosis, and this is an important distinction. Effective therapy cannot focus on one illness or the other; you must address both.
5. Drug Misuse and Mental Disorders Are Treatable
While there is no treatment for Drug misuse and Mental Disorders, you can treat them. Suppose an individual has a mental disorder, a drug use disorder, or both. Then several treatment options can lead to successful and long-term management of symptoms. The most appropriate treatment often includes drugs and psychotherapy. Some patients are responding to therapy right away. Others need to try a variety of therapies before finding a combination that fits them.
What Comes First: Drug Misuse and Mental Health Problems?
Drug misuse and Mental Disorders, such as depression and anxiety, are closely related. But, one does not necessarily cause the other directly. Abuse of drugs such as marijuana or methamphetamine can cause chronic psychotic reactions. Alcohol can worsen symptoms of depression and anxiety. Also, alcohol and medications often treat signs of mental health problems on their own. People also use alcohol or medications to:
- Relieve undiagnosed mental disorder symptoms
- Deal with difficult emotions
- Temporarily change their mood
Unfortunately, drug or alcohol self-medication causes side effects. In the long term, this often worsens the symptoms that initially helped to relieve.
Alcohol and Drug Abuse Can Raise The Underlying Risk Of Mental Issues
A complex interplay of genetics, the environment, etc., causes mental health disorders. So, it is difficult to say if the misuse of substances actually causes them. However, suppose you are at risk with a mental health disorder. Then, you might be pushed off the edge by alcohol or substance abuse. For example, some research suggests that people who misuse prescription painkillers are at higher risk of depression. And heavy drug use has been associated with an increased risk of schizophrenia.
Alcohol and drug abuse can worsen the effects of a mental health problem. Drug abuse can sharply increase signs of mental illness or even cause new symptoms. Abuse with alcohol or drugs can also interfere with medicines such as antidepressants, anxiety treatments, and mood stabilizers, making them less efficient in treating symptoms and delaying recovery.
The Connection Between Drug Misuse and Mental Disorders Treatment
There is a Dual Diagnosis of both a mental health condition and a drug abuse issue. The patient must enter a treatment program that addresses both issues simultaneously. Why? Untreated signs of a mental health condition may cause the patient to be unable to stay clean and sober. And untreated drug abuse may make mental health treatment ineffective.
Treatment For A Dual Diagnosis
The best cure for co-occurring disorders is an integrated approach. Here, doctors treat both Drug misuse and Mental Disorders together. Long-term rehabilitation is dependent on receiving treatment for all disorders from the same treatment center or team, whether the mental health or substance dependency issues came first. Depending on the individual problems:
Treatment for your mental health problems can include medication, individual or social therapy, self-help measures, behavioral improvements, and peer support.
Drug abuse treatment may include detoxification, withdrawal symptoms treatment, behavioral counseling, and support groups to maintain sobriety.
There’s always been hope. Both mood disorders and issues with alcohol and drug misuse are treatable diseases. Recovery from co-occurring conditions takes time, determination, and confidence. But people with drug abuse and mental health issues can and can do better. It’s important to stay sober during treatment. Suppose your doctor wants to prescribe medicine for your mental health condition. Then mixing it with alcohol or drugs may have serious effects. Similarly, talk therapy is far less successful if you are under the influence of alcohol. Relapses are part of the recovery process: When you relapse, don’t get too disappointed. Slips and setbacks happen. But most people can recover from their relapses and move on with the hard effort.
Peer support can help you. You may learn from joining a self-help support group such as Narcotics Anonymous. A community network gives you a chance to lean on people who know about what you’re going through and learn about their experiences.
The Bottom Line
It’s best to find help with the problem of mental health and drug misuse at the same time. When you get treatment for both of them, you will get better. And you will have less risk of going back to drugs or alcohol.
You are most likely to take part in individual and group counseling for both. You’ll also learn about alcohol and medications, fitness, and healthy eating.
Alcoholics Anonymous, Narcotics Anonymous, and LifeRing are also part of medical treatment and rehabilitation.
