The Impact of Substance Abuse on Mental Health

If you are grappling with a mental health condition and substance use disorder, know that you are not alone. Substance Use Disorders (SUDs) and mental health conditions often co-occur, with one condition worsening the symptoms of the other. 

Individuals diagnosed with conditions such as depression, anxiety, or bipolar disorder, are at a higher risk of developing SUDs. At the same time, individuals with SUDs may be living with some other mental health conditions, as well.

Yet, this does not mean that one necessarily causes the other, or that there is a direct relationship between the two.

However, substance use does have some impact on your physical and mental health. In this article, we aim to understand how substance use disorder can affect one’s mental health, and what you can do to manage these co-occurring conditions better.

Also read: Overcoming Addiction Through Therapy and Support Groups

What is substance use disorder?

Substance use disorder is a treatable mental health condition, which can affect an individual’s brain and behaviour. It is characterised by an individual’s inability to control their use of legal or illegal substances such as alcohol, drugs, or prescription medication. While substance use disorders alcohol, drugs, or prescription medication. While substance use disorders are treatable, they are chronic brain conditions; hence, individuals might need to take steps that will prevent a relapse.

It is a complex condition where an individual continues to use substances despite negatively affecting various aspects of their lives, such as their performance at work, relationships, and physical health. Although individuals may be aware that substance use is harming their lives, they are unable to stop its use.

Understanding why people take drugs

Several factors may contribute to why an individual may start or continue to take drugs. Often, people start with experimentation, they may want to know what taking drugs may feel like, out of rebelliousness, or even because their friends may be taking drugs.

Other times, an individual’s situation or emotional concern may lead them to take drugs. When someone is stressed, unhappy, or sad, they may use drugs to get some relief. However, substances make it more challenging to deal with difficult emotions in the long run, as they can only provide temporary relief from these feelings.

Also read: The Connection Between Substance Abuse and Anxiety Disorders

What is the link between substance use disorder and mental health?

Although substance use disorder and mental health conditions often co-exist, it does not mean that one causes the other—even when one condition comes first. However, one condition may exacerbate the symptoms of the other, when an individual is not able to find the right support for their concerns.

But why does this link exist?

To understand why substance use disorder and mental health conditions may co-exist, it's important to know how substance use can affect the brain. Prolonged substance use can change how an individual’s brain functions, which may lead to distorted thinking and behaviours.

Brain imaging studies have shown that with continued use of substances, brain areas related to decision-making, learning, memory, judgment, and behavioural control change. These changes are what lead to intense cravings and changes in one’s personality, behaviour, and movement.

The areas of the brain affected by the use of substances are the same ones that have a link to mental health conditions such as anxiety, depression, bipolar disorder, and schizophrenia. Thus, it is not surprising that substance use and other mental health conditions often co-occur.

Using substances can also lead to the experience of one or more symptoms of certain mental health concerns. Cannabis, in particular, has been linked to an increased risk of psychosis for some individuals.

Additionally, some mental health conditions may also increase your likelihood of using substances. For example, someone with social anxiety may drink alcohol before social events as it can help reduce their worry and fear, making them feel more confident. While the short-term effect of alcohol can seem pleasant, they can have a harmful impact in the long run as the individual will need to rely on more and more of these substances to feel the same effect. 

Which substances can affect my mental health?

Different types of substances can affect your mental health differently, while some make you feel paranoid and jittery, others may make you feel numb. 

Long-term use of substances can affect one’s memory, behaviour, concentration, and consciousness. 

No matter the reason a person may start to use drugs or drink alcohol, its continued use can have long-term negative effects.

Cannabis

Cannabis, a commonly used drug in India, can make some individuals feel happy and calm. At the same time, it can make some people feel paranoid or jittery. Using cannabis may lead to experiencing things that are not real, which is a sign of drug-induced psychosis. 

Studies find that continued use of cannabis increases the likelihood of experiencing signs of psychosis. 

Alcohol

Since alcohol is legal, it is much easier for individuals to experiment with or abuse alcohol. Some individuals begin using alcohol to deal with the symptoms of their condition, but these effects are only temporary.

Alcohol can make people feel that they do not have control over their bodies and behaviour, and long-term use may even lead to psychosis, depression, anxiety, and antisocial behaviour.

Psychoactive drugs

Initially, stimulant drugs may make you feel energetic and excited, but once their effects wear off, you can feel tired and experience symptoms of depression.

Hallucinogenic drugs, which make you feel, see, hear, or even taste things that aren't there, can worsen symptoms of certain mental health conditions.

It's important to recognize that while substances may provide temporary relief or pleasure, their prolonged use has detrimental effects on mental health. Overcoming dependence on substances is challenging, but with professional support, it's possible to regain control and embark on a path to recovery.

Also read: Substance Abuse and Personality Disorders: How can they be related?

Recovery may be a long journey, but with the guidance of mental health professionals, it becomes more manageable. They can provide a range of evidence-based treatment options tailored to individual needs, including therapy modalities, support groups, medication-assisted treatment, and holistic approaches.

Sources:

1. How do drugs and alcohol affect mental health? (n.d.). How Do Drugs and Alcohol Affect Mental Health? https://www.rethink.org/advice-and-information/about-mental-illness/learn-more-about-conditions/drugs-alcohol-and-mental-health/

2. Robinson, L. (2023). Dual Diagnosis: Substance Abuse and Mental Health. HelpGuide.org. https://www.helpguide.org/articles/addictions/substance-abuse-and-mental-health.htm

3. Drugs and mental health. (n.d.). Mental Health Foundation. https://www.mentalhealth.org.uk/explore-mental-health/a-z-topics/drugs-and-mental-health