Understanding the Relationship Between Drug Addiction and Mental Health Conditions
Drugs and alcohol can directly impact a person’s mental health. According to the Mental Health Foundation out of the UK, drugs can change your “mood and behavior” and may lead to “long-term mental health problems.”
Drugs and Alcohol as a Coping Mechanism
While people use drugs and alcohol for different reasons, some may use them to cope with stress, anxiety, or other mental health conditions. It is not unusual for a person to have co-occurring conditions such as a mental health disorder and a substance use disorder.
When individuals use drugs or alcohol to overcome mental health concerns they can become dependent on them, making it difficult to quit without treatment.
How Different Drugs Affect Mental Health
Different drugs have different effects on individuals. As noted by the Mental Health Foundation, drugs like cannabis can actually “increase your risk of anxiety and depression.” Strong strains of cannabis may also increase your risk of developing severe mental health conditions including schizophrenia.
Other drugs, like cocaine, act as a stimulant. According to WebMD, cocaine abuse or addiction can impact the “pleasure centers of the brain” leading to “long-term damage to mental health.”
Chronic use of cocaine may lead to several symptoms including:
- Hallucinations
- Restlessness
- Agitation
- Anxiety
- Depression
- Paranoia
Drugs like alcohol are depressants that may increase feelings of depression, anxiety, and stress. If you are taking any drug and unable to stop on your own, you should consider treatment immediately. Millions of people struggle with co-occurring mental health and substance use disorders, but few ever seek treatment.