How does substance abuse affect mental health?
Mental illness can be developed by substance use and drug addiction.
People take drugs and drink alcohol for numerous reasons. Drugs and alcohol usage may have a long-term negative effect on your physical as well as mental health. Addiction leaves a negative impact on your career, relationships, finances, and family life, and mental well-being.
Relationship between substance abuse and mental illness
Substance use can directly affect the brain. Drug use can cause changes in the structure and functioning of the brain over time. These changes can disturb things like cognition, impulse control, memory, and decision-making, potentially affecting mental health of a person.
In combination with the other negative impacts of addiction, like loss of job, failed relationships, financial hardship, legal problems, it also causes someone to feel stressed or anxious.
Is mental health a risk factor for substance abuse?
People having history of early substance use, genetic predisposition, co-occurring mental health conditions, and traumas, are at risk.
What is dual diagnosis?
When a person has both a mental health problem such as depression, anxiety, or bipolar disorder and substance abuse problem, at the same time it is referred to as dual diagnosis or co-occurring disorder. Dealing with substance abuse is never easy, and it’s very difficult when someone also has mental health issues.
When a mental health issue is not treated on time, the substance abuse problem also gets worse. And when drug abuse increases, this results in the increase of mental health issues.
Co-occurring disorders are more common than a lot of people think. According to a research:
- It is estimated that substance abuse affects 50% of individuals with severe mental health disorders.
- 53% of drug abusers and 37%of alcohol abusers have at least one serious mental health problem.
- Of all people who are mentally ill, 29% consume alcohol or drugs.
Which substances can affect my mental health?
In this article we have listed different types of substances that affect our mental health. Please note that this list does not enlist all substances.
Taking drugs is dangerous. They also have poor interactions with any medications you might use.
Cannabis
It is also known as pot, dope, weed, bud, skunk, ganja, marijuana.
It is one of the most popular drugs used in England. According to a study, 1 out of 13 people aged between 16 to 59 had used it in the past year. Young people aged between 16 to 24 are more likely to take cannabis. The study also shows that 1 in 5 young people had used this between 2018–19.
Some people consume this substance because it makes them feel happy or relaxed, but It also makes you feel stressed. Some studies have shown that the risk of mental illness may be higher if you:
- consume cannabis for a long period
- use it on daily basis
- use strong cannabis, like skunk.
Alcohol
It is also known as booze and bevvies. People with mental illness face problems while using alcohol. It is easier to get it, because it is legal.
The effects of alcohol depend on how frequently and in which quantity you take it. If you drink it on a daily basis then it can cause serious physical and mental harm. Drinking can cause self-harm or even suicide.
How does alcohol affect mental health?
By using alcohol, chemical changes in the brain may lead to negative feelings regardless of mood such as anxiety, anger or depression. Alcohol also slows down the functioning of the brain, making it harder to work on your feelings and the possible reactions of your feelings.
New Psychoactive Substances (NPS)
It is also known as Bath salts, Eric 3, Plant food, Dimethocaine.
These drugs contain one or more chemical substances. Their effects are similar to cannabis, cocaine, and ecstasy.
These drugs can cause confusion and panic. You can also have hallucinations. When you feel things, smell, see, or hear other people do not.
Hallucinations also affect the way you behave. These drugs also affect your judgement.
Some NPS are so dangerous that they can kill or hurt you very badly. If these are taken with alcohol or other psychoactive substances they are at higher risk.
Amphetamine and methamphetamine
It is also known as Tina, Meth, Glass, Crystal Meth, Whizz, Ice, Billy, Base Yaba and Christine.
These drugs make you feel alert and awake when use for short
term.
This can cause difficulty in sleep. A person might have drug
induced psychosis by the use of these drugs. These drugs can
make you feel depressed and anxious when used for the long-term.
They can also be addictive.
When you stop consuming this drug, you may feel stressed and you might find it difficult to sleep.
Benzodiazepines
This drug is also known as Valium, Xanax, Benzos, Blues, Downers, Roofies, Diazepam, Rohypnol.
These drugs are a type of tranquilizers which means that they are used to treat anxiety and sleep issues. These are also used to treat muscle pain. Some people take them with the prescription of a doctor because they give relaxing effects. Doctors give these drugs for a short period of time, because they can be addictive.
They can make you feel calmer when used in the short-term. These make you feel sleepy and confused, depending on the type you take.
Taking them with other drugs such as alcohol can be harmful. Its consumption can also affect your breathing. Death can occur by their usage. People’s daily-life can be affected by these drugs if used long-term.
Cocaine
This drug is also known as Sniff, Snow, Blow, Crack, Charlie, Chang. Its consumption can make you feel confident, talkative and awake when used in the short-term. It can also affect the way you feel when used in the long-term. This drug can also affect your relations with family and friends. They can be addictive and a person may have problems with anxiety and depression.
Strokes, heart attacks and fits can be caused by the usage of cocaine. Like benzodiazepines, if this drug is mixed with other drugs death can occur.
Ecstasy
This drug is also known as MD, Molly, MDMA, E, Pills.
This drug can make you feel energetic, talkative, confident and very happy. Sometimes it makes you feel depressed, confused or trigger drug induced psychosis.
This drug can lead to memory problems when used long-term. Its usage can cause depression and anxiety.
Heroin
This is also known as Brown, Gear, Smack, Skag)
Heroin can make you feel happy and relaxed, when used for a short duration. It can make you feel sleepy by taking away pain.
This drug can be taken in different ways, such as by injection. However, If you take it with an injection, there is a high risk of getting an infection if you share needles with another person.
This drug is very addictive. It can also have long-term effects. Some people feel that it has become more important than many other things in their life. It also affects your relationships and lifestyle.
What are the psycho-social effects of substance abuse?
Substance abuse can cause:
- anorexia
- depression
- hallucination
- mood disturbance
- insomnia
- sexual dysfunction
- paranoia
People use drugs to seek pleasure in the early stage of drug addiction. After some time, their bodies get used to drugs, then they gradually increase the dose of drugs to seek the same feelings of pleasure.
Treatment protocols for co-occurring disorders
If someone has co-occurring mental health or substance use disorders, it is necessary to find a treatment provider who understands the treatment complexities of this disorder. These are specialty programs which include psychiatric treatment and substance use disorder treatment.
A comprehensive treatment program for dual diagnosis should include:
- Psycho social education and life skills
- Holistic treatment
- Relapse prevention planning
- Nutrition and exercise
- Withdrawal management
- Individual psychotherapy
- Medication management
- Group therapy
- 12 Step program
Summary
Substance abuse can cause many mental health issues such as anxiety, depression, sleeping disorders, and mood disturbance. Many substances are used as drugs such as alcohol, cannabis, ecstasy, and cocaine. These drugs may lead to various psychological issues. A person using drugs should seek professional help because drug addiction can lead to many disorders.