Navigation: How is Drug Use Related to Mental Health Conditions?, How Drug Use Can Affect Mental Health, Mental Health Conditions Leading to Drug Use, Understanding the Risk Factors, Treatment Approaches for Dual Diagnosis
When people talk about public health, drug use and mental health are often discussed together. But the connection between them is far from simple. In fact, both issues are widespread in many societies, affecting millions of people worldwide.
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), about 450 million people struggle with mental health disorders globally, while the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) estimates that over 35 million people suffer from drug use disorders.
SUD is a treatable mental disorder that impacts a person’s brain and behavior. Also known as drug addiction, it is characterized by the inability to control one’s intake of a substance even when it is already creating adverse health effects. Simply put, an addicted individual will keep taking the drug or drinking alcohol even if they are already suffering from its consequences. [1]
On the other hand, mental health disorders include depression, anxiety disorders, attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), bipolar disorder, personality disorders, and schizophrenia, among others. [1]
Researchers and mental health professionals have spent decades trying to fully understand the complex relationship between drug use and mental health conditions. Both conditions are difficult to deal with even on their own—so it can actually be overwhelming for a person to suffer from both disorders simultaneously.
This is why it is important to know why these conditions have the tendency to co-occur. Why are substance use disorders (SUDs) and mental illnesses so closely intertwined? This is what we are going to talk about here today.
How is Drug Use Related to Mental Health Conditions?
People with mental health disorders are more likely to develop substance use disorders and vice versa. But why is this the case? Experts have found that the relationship between the two conditions has something to do with a complex interplay of biological, psychological, and environmental factors.
Both conditions influence brain chemistry, particularly in regions related to reward, stress, and impulse control. For instance, those who have mental health disorders such as depression, anxiety, or bipolar disorder may turn to drugs or alcohol as a way to self-medicate or alleviate their symptoms temporarily. Unfortunately, this only exacerbates their mental health issues, creating a vicious cycle.
On the other hand, those who abuse drugs or alcohol for recreational purposes may develop mental health problems as a result of their excessive intake.
This co-occurrence is referred to as a dual diagnosis. The term “co-occurring disorders” refers to individuals who experience both a mental health disorder and a substance use disorder. Research indicates that roughly 50% of people with a mental health disorder will also experience a substance use disorder at some point in their lives. Similarly, around 20% of people with a substance use disorder also suffer from mental health disorders. [2]
It is important to keep in mind that while they have a tendency to co-occur, these conditions do not always cause one another. But when they do develop at the same time, they have the potential to worsen each other’s symptoms, making it even more difficult for the person to recover.
How Drug Use Can Affect Mental Health
First let’s talk about how drugs can impact a person’s mental health. As we all know, abusing drugs both illicit and prescription can exacerbate pre-existing mental health conditions. Substance abuse can also trigger new ones.
The effects of drug use on mental health depend on various factors, including the type of substance used, the frequency and duration of use, and other individual factors.
Alcohol
Alcohol is a depressant that affects the central nervous system. In small amounts, it can help a person relax and reduce their inhibitions, making it a popular social lubricant or stress reliever.
However, frequent or excessive alcohol consumption can lead to various mental health issues. Over time, alcohol use can worsen symptoms of anxiety and depression, as it disrupts the brain’s natural chemical balance. Chronic alcohol use has also been linked to memory problems, impaired judgment, and an increased risk of developing mood disorders.
Additionally, alcohol withdrawal can cause severe symptoms, such as irritability, insomnia, and even hallucinations in some cases.
Stimulants
Stimulants like cocaine, methamphetamine, and prescription amphetamines (such as Adderall) increase dopamine levels in the brain. This leads to heightened energy and euphoria. But just like alcohol, repeated use can be harmful.
Stimulant abuse can deplete dopamine reserves, which may result in long-term mental health challenges like depression, paranoia, and anxiety. Stimulant abuse can also trigger symptoms of psychosis, including hallucinations and delusions. [3]
In the long run, people who abuse stimulants may experience significant mood swings, aggression, and even cognitive impairments as the brain struggles to regain balance.
Opioids
Opioids are typically prescribed as painkillers. However, prescription and illicit opioids are highly addictive and can significantly impact mental health. So even though they are helpful when taken as prescribed by a doctor, they also carry a significant risk of addiction.
These substances produce feelings of intense relaxation and euphoria, but they also suppress the brain’s natural production of endorphins, which are critical for emotional well-being. Long-term opioid use can lead to severe mood swings, irritability, and a decreased ability to feel pleasure in everyday activities.
Opioid withdrawal is also physically and mentally taxing, often causing symptoms like depression, anxiety, and insomnia. Prolonged opioid abuse has also been linked to an increased risk of developing mental health disorders, including depression and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
Hallucinogens
Hallucinogens, such as LSD, psilocybin mushrooms, and MDMA, can significantly alter perception, mood, and cognition. While some people may have positive experiences, repeated or heavy use can lead to adverse effects on mental health.
Hallucinogen use can increase the risk of developing mood disorders like anxiety and depression, as well as trigger episodes of psychosis, particularly in those with a predisposition to mental health conditions like schizophrenia. The experience is often described as frightening or distressing. [3]
In some cases, these substances can cause persistent visual disturbances and mood changes long after the drug has left the body. This is known as hallucinogen persisting perception disorder (HPPD), which can be highly distressing for users.
Mental Health Conditions Leading to Drug Use
Now let’s take a look at how mental health disorders can increase the risk of substance use.
People often turn to substances as a means of coping with their symptoms. This is commonly referred to as self-medication. Keep in mind that taking too much of a prescription drug, taking someone else’s medications, or taking a prescription drug too often are all considered forms of substance abuse. [1]
Some people even take it a step further and visit multiple doctors to get multiple prescriptions of the same drug. This is known as doctor shopping.
When people self-medicate, they use substances to feel better or to forget about their problems for a short while. An individual with social anxiety might use alcohol to feel more comfortable in social settings, or someone with depression might use stimulants to experience a temporary boost in mood. [1]
However, self-medication can lead to dependency and addiction over time, ultimately worsening the very symptoms they are trying to alleviate. Below are some common mental health conditions that frequently lead to substance use:
Depression
People with depression often experience persistent feelings of sadness, hopelessness, and a lack of motivation. These symptoms can make it difficult to cope with daily life, leading some to turn to drugs or alcohol for temporary relief. [1]
Depressants like alcohol or opioids can initially seem to ease feelings of sadness or numb emotional pain, but over time, they can actually deepen depressive symptoms. This can create a vicious cycle in which a person feels worse, leading to increased substance use, which then exacerbates their depression.
Anxiety Disorders
Anxiety disorders, such as generalized anxiety disorder (GAD), panic disorder, and social anxiety disorder, are characterized by persistent worry, fear, or nervousness. Many people with anxiety may use substances as a way to feel more relaxed or less inhibited. Alcohol, in particular, is commonly used to ease social anxiety, while benzodiazepines or marijuana may be used to alleviate general anxiety. [1]
However, using substances to manage anxiety can lead to dependency and make anxiety symptoms more severe when not using, thereby increasing the likelihood of continued or escalated use.
Bipolar Disorder
Bipolar disorder involves extreme mood swings, including episodes of mania (high energy and impulsivity) and depression. During manic phases, individuals might engage in risky behaviors, including excessive drinking or drug use, driven by impulsivity and a decreased sense of consequence.
During depressive episodes, they may turn to substances in an attempt to cope with their low mood. This back-and-forth can make people with bipolar disorder particularly vulnerable to substance misuse, as they may seek to manage both ends of their mood spectrum with drugs or alcohol.
Schizophrenia
Schizophrenia is a severe mental health condition characterized by symptoms like hallucinations, delusions, and cognitive impairment.
Patients suffering from schizophrenia may use substances in an attempt to cope with or escape from these symptoms. For example, they may turn to marijuana or alcohol to diminish the intensity of hallucinations or delusions. Unfortunately, self-medication can worsen their condition.
Substance use can also interfere with antipsychotic medications, reducing their effectiveness and leading to a higher risk of relapse.
Each of these conditions can lead individuals to substance use as a way to manage symptoms, yet this often only serves to worsen mental health in the long run, creating a cycle that can be challenging to break without appropriate treatment.
Understanding the Risk Factors
Interestingly, there are several risk factors that exist in both conditions. This means that a person exposed to these risk factors has an even greater likelihood of developing them simultaneously. These include genetic, environmental, and psychological factors.
While risk factors do not guarantee that a person will develop an addiction or a mental health problem, they do indicate that the person has a higher likelihood of having them compared to someone who is not exposed to these risk factors.
Genetic Factors
Genetic predisposition plays a significant role in the likelihood of developing co-occurring mental health and substance use disorders. Research indicates that certain genes are linked to an increased susceptibility to both types of conditions. [1]
For example, family histories of addiction or mental illness can mean a higher genetic vulnerability for these issues in future generations. This biological component can make some people more sensitive to environmental triggers and life stressors, ultimately influencing the development of both mental health issues and substance use problems.
Environmental Factors
The environment in which a person grows up or lives has a powerful impact on their mental health and potential for substance abuse. Exposure to traumatic experiences like physical or emotional abuse, neglect, or violence, can significantly increase the risk of both types of disorders.
Additionally, if substance use is prevalent or normalized within a person’s environment—whether at home, among friends, or in their community—they may be more inclined to adopt similar behaviors. Societal factors like poverty and lack of social support are also considered risk factors.
Psychological Factors
People with traits such as impulsivity, a high need for stimulation, or sensation-seeking behaviors are more likely to engage in risky activities–including substance use. The same goes for those who are prone to negative emotionality as they may use substances to cope with their emotional states.
Treatment Approaches for Dual Diagnosis
Dual diagnosis treatment is specifically designed for people who are dealing with both substance use disorders and mental health conditions. Unlike standard rehab programs, which typically focus solely on treating drug or alcohol addiction, dual diagnosis programs address the complexities of co-occurring disorders by integrating mental health treatment with addiction recovery. [4]
It’s not enough to deal with one problem while ignoring the other. Doing so will only increase the risk of relapse. The dual diagnosis approach acknowledges that substance abuse and mental health issues often interact and reinforce each other, making recovery more challenging if only one issue is treated.
In a dual diagnosis program, treatment plans are customized to fit the person’s specific needs. These programs often involve a team of professionals from different fields, including psychiatrists, psychologists, and addiction counselors, working together to provide a comprehensive and cohesive treatment plan. [4]
Therapeutic methods might include a combination of cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), medication management, and group therapy, all tailored to address the unique interplay between the individual’s mental health and substance use.
This integrated approach increases the chances of long-term recovery, as it equips patients with the coping strategies they need to manage both their addiction and their mental health challenges.
If you or someone you love is struggling with an SUD, a mental health disorder, or both, you need to seek proper treatment. Look for a rehab near you today to learn more about the available treatment programs. The journey to recovery begins today.
Sources:
[1]: https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/topics/substance-use-and-mental-health
[3]: https://www.mentalhealth.org.uk/explore-mental-health/a-z-topics/drugs-and-mental-health
[4]: https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/24426-dual-diagnosis
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