How Does Addiction Affect Mental Health?
Millions of people worldwide suffer from the consequences of addiction. Addiction is an issue that can affect every aspect of your life and can have significant negative effects on your physical and mental health. Continue reading to learn about the complex link between substance abuse and mental health disorders. We also dive into the effects of drug addiction on your mental and physical health. At Insight Northwest Recovery, we aim to destigmatize addiction and shed light on the issue by raising awareness and providing valuable information about the struggles of substance use disorders and other mental health issues. We are here to support you and answer any questions you may have.
Substance Use and Mental Health
Addiction and mental illnesses are often coexisting and often go hand-and-hand, though it is not widely discussed. The combination of substance abuse and mental health conditions can result in a vicious cycle of self-medicating with drugs and alcohol to alleviate symptoms of mental health conditions.
Co-occurring disorders are a common diagnosis when dealing with substance abuse disorders. Mental health disorders and drug addiction often play into each other and require a dual diagnosis. A co-occurring disorder is the presence of two or more health disorders existing simultaneously within a person. For example, someone that suffers from alcohol addiction may fall into depression or experience feeling anxious and try to ease their symptoms with continued substance abuse to find temporary relief. This can lead to a continued cycle of worsening mental and physical health. It can be extremely challenging to disrupt this complex cycle of mental illness and substance abuse, which is why it is important to seek professional help so a recovery and mental health team can work closely with you to develop a tailored recovery plan that is tailored to your specific needs.
Mental Health and the Effects of Addiction
Alcohol and drug addiction can quickly affect your mental health and can cause existing conditions and disorders to worsen while potentially causing new ones to develop. Common mental health conditions often found in conjunction with addiction can include:
Depression & Anxiety
Depression and anxiety are challenging mental health illnesses that can leave you feeling helpless and frustrated. Drug misuse can disrupt the chemical balance in the brain and greatly worsen the symptoms of depression and anxiety. Alcohol or drugs can interfere with your serotonin production and affect your mood by altering your levels of your neurotransmitters in an artificial manner. Substance abuse can temporarily alleviate symptoms of depression and anxiety but can overall exacerbate these conditions and lead to major health consequences.
Bipolar Disorder
Bipolar disorder can be associated with extreme mood swings and episodes of depression. Drugs and alcohol affect this condition and can trigger or intensify manic and depressive episodes that are associated with bipolar disorder. The effects of drugs can also lead to increased impulsive decisions and poor judgment.
Psychosis
Drug-induced psychosis can be triggered by illicit drug use and mixing substances. Symptoms of psychosis can include extreme paranoia, hallucinations, delusions, or memory problems. People who deal with psychosis disorders can sometimes use drugs to cope with symptoms which, in turn, makes the mental disorder worse.
Treatment Options for Addiction and Mental Health Conditions
Recovery from addiction and mental health treatment looks different for everybody. If you are dealing with addiction and struggling with mental health issues, it is important to seek professional help so you can work with someone to find the best path to recovery and a treatment program for you. Recognizing the early signs and symptoms of addiction and seeking treatment can be extremely helpful. Support groups such as Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) or Narcotics Anonymous (NA).
At Insight Northwest Recovery, we believe treatment should tailored to your specific needs and offer a wide range of substance use treatment options:
Solution focused
Harm reduction
Abstinence-based treatment
Family Systems Theory
Mindfulness
Narrative therapy
Medication-Assisted Treatment
Working with mental health and addiction professionals to overcome addiction to drugs or alcohol can help you with withdrawal management and to develop coping skills to help with relapse prevention and help you live your best life. They can create a recovery plan that is tailor to your unique needs, support you through the difficult process of navigating addiction treatment and answer questions along the way.
How Insight Northwest Recovery Can Help
The effects of drug addiction can lead to severe mental health issues. When you better understand the relationship between them and how drugs affect your mental state, you can work towards early intervention and finding treatment. Our expert team can work with you to take the first steps in overcoming your mental health and substance abuse issues. We aim to build trust and understanding with you while developing a treatment plan that is convenient for you and fits your unique needs.
Contact us today to set up a complimentary consultation or with any questions you may have.