This month, we are observing Mental Health Awareness Month by shedding light on the mental health crisis and bringing awareness to the ways drugs and alcohol use may affect your mental health.
As we observe Mental Health Awareness Month, it is crucial to address not just mental health in isolation, but also the factors that can significantly impact it. The use of drugs and alcohol stands out due to its profound and often detrimental effects on mental health. Let’s shed light on how substance use disorders (SUDs) and mental health conditions can overlap, and what can be done to address these challenges.
SUBSTANCE USE & MENTAL HEALTH
The relationship between substance use and mental health is complex. Substances such as alcohol, marijuana, cocaine, and opioids have psychoactive effects that alter brain chemistry, potentially leading to mental health disorders such as depression, anxiety, and psychosis (disconnection from reality). Conversely, many individuals with mental health disorders turn to drugs and alcohol as a form of self-medication, attempting to alleviate their symptoms temporarily.
Dealing with substance abuse, alcoholism, or drug addiction is never easy, and it’s even more difficult when you’re also struggling with mental health disorders. Co-occurring substance abuse problems and mental health issues are more common than many people realize. According to reports published in the Journey of the American Medical Association:
- Approximately 50% of individuals with severe mental disorders are affected by substance use.
- Thirty-seven percent of alcohol abusers and 53% of drug abusers also have at least one serious mental illness.
- Of all people diagnosed with a mental illness, 29% of those abuse alcohol or drugs.
The Brain Chemistry Factor
Drugs and alcohol can cause significant changes in the brain’s structure and function. For instance, substances like alcohol can depress the central nervous system, leading to delayed reactions and impaired judgment, while stimulants such as cocaine increase dopamine levels, which can alter mood and behavior. Over time, the repeated alteration of brain chemistry can lead to the development of a mental health disorder.
The Cycle of Addiction & Mental Health Issues
People with mental health disorders are particularly vulnerable to substance abuse and addiction. For instance, individuals with anxiety or depression may use alcohol to numb their feelings, leading to a dependency that only worsens the underlying condition. This cycle of self-medication and deteriorating mental health creates a vicious cycle that can be challenging to break without professional help.
WHAT COMES FIRST: SUBSTANCE USE OR MENTAL HEALTH ISSUES?
When a person is struggling with substance use and mental health disorders, it can be difficult to separate the two. Does one directly cause the other? Does one make the other more likely? Let’s break it down.
Drugs and alcohol can often be used to self-medicate the symptoms of mental health problems. People often abuse drugs and alcohol to ease the symptoms of an undiagnosed mental disorder, to cope with difficult emotions, or to temporarily change their mood. Unfortunately, self-medicating with drugs or alcohol can often worsen symptoms they helped to relieve in the long run.
Drug and alcohol abuse can increase the underlying risk for mental disorders. Since mental health problems are caused by a combination of genetics, the environment, and other factors, it’s difficult to say if abusing substances ever directly causes them. However, if you are at risk for a mental health issue, abusing alcohol or drugs may push you over the edge. For example, there is some evidence that those who abuse opioid painkillers are at greater risk for depression and heavy cannabis use has been linked to an increased risk for schizophrenia.
Drug and alcohol abuse can make symptoms of a mental health disorder worse. Substance abuse may sharply increase symptoms of mental illness or even trigger new symptoms. Abuse of alcohol or drugs can also interact with medications such as antidepressants, anxiety medications, and mood stabilizers, making them less effective at managing symptoms and delaying your recovery.
Drug and alcohol abuse can lead to the development of new mental health disorders. For instance, prolonged alcohol use is linked to the risk of developing major depressive disorder, while the use of substances like marijuana can increase the risk of psychosis among those predisposed to it.
Drug and alcohol abuse can lead to cognitive impairment and decision-making. Substance abuse can impair cognitive functions over time, affecting memory, decision-making, and problem-solving skills. This cognitive decline can make it more difficult for individuals to manage their mental health effectively.
RECOGNIZING A DUAL DIAGNOSIS
How can you identify dual diagnosis? Here are some general warning signs that you may have a co-occurring disorder:
- Do you use drugs or alcohol to cope with unpleasant memories or feelings, to control pain or the intensity of your moods, to face scary situations, or to stay focused on tasks?
- Have you noticed a relationship between your substance use and your mental health? For example, do you get depressed when you’ve been drinking? Or do you drink when you’re feeling anxious or consumed by unpleasant memories?
- Has someone in your family struggled with a mental disorder, or drug or alcohol abuse?
- Do you feel depressed, anxious, or otherwise out of balance even when you’re sober?
- Have you previously been treated for either addiction or a mental health disorder?
It is important to recognize that denial is common in both substance abuse and mental health issues. It’s often hard to admit how dependent you are on alcohol or drugs, or how much they affect your life. Similarly, the symptoms of conditions such as depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder, or PTSD can be frightening, so you may try to ignore them and hope the negative feelings go away. You may also be ashamed or afraid of being viewed as weak if you admit you have a problem.
The reality is that substance abuse and mental health disorders can happen to any of us, and admitting you have a problem and seeking help is the first step on the road to recovery.
RECOVERY & REHABILITATION: A DUAL APPROACH
Seeing how closely related substance-use disorders are to mental health conditions, it is vital that both be treated simultaneously in order to achieve effective recovery. This approach, known as dual diagnosis treatment, addresses both issues in a coordinated way to improve recovery outcomes. This approach involves the following treatment methods:
Integrated Treatment Programs
These programs provide comprehensive care that encompasses mental health services, substance abuse treatment, and support from a multidisciplinary team. They help patients understand the nature of their disorders, the relationship between substance use and mental health, and the strategies to manage both conditions healthily.
Therapeutic Approaches
Therapeutic approaches like cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), dialectical behavior therapy (DBT), and motivational interviewing have proven effective in treating dual diagnosis. These therapies help individuals develop coping mechanisms to deal with stressors and trigger in healthier ways.
Support Systems & Community
Support from peers, family, and dedicated support groups can be invaluable. These networks provide the emotional support and understanding that are crucial during recovery, helping individuals feel less isolated and more supported throughout their journey.
ABOUT CUMBERLAND HEIGHTS
Cumberland Heights was founded in 1966 with a firm, focused mission: to transform lives, giving hope and healing to those affected by alcohol or drug addiction.
We’re a nonprofit organization, a resource of leading clinical expertise, and the first Tennessee addiction treatment center to achieve certification from the American Society of Addiction Medicine. We’re also a community. At Cumberland Heights, staff, alumni, and advocates walk with each patient through every step on the journey to recovery, helping them rewrite their story – a story of hope, healing, and happiness.
We exist to serve those who are seeking addiction treatment in Middle Tennessee, and we have a Cumberland Heights program near you! Our main campus is located in Nashville, Tennessee, but we have treatment centers across the state of Tennessee in Jackson, Chattanooga, Knoxville, Murfreesboro, Franklin, Clarksville, Crossville, Cookeville, and more.
We’re here to help. If you or a loved one would like to learn more about Cumberland Heights, click here or call 615-314-3856.
