How Substance Abuse Affects Your Mental Health
The connection between mental illness and substance misuse is well-known in the behavioral therapy community. If a person is predisposed to a mental health disorder, symptoms may be triggered by alcohol and drug abuse. Substance use disorders can lead to mental health illnesses such as anxiety and depression, but in some cases, eliminating drugs and alcohol is enough to alleviate the symptoms. However, in other cases, drug or alcohol abuse changes the brain’s chemistry long-term and causes more permanent damage. Alcohol and other central nervous system depressants can trigger depression, including feelings of hopelessness, lethargy, and sadness. Stimulants like cocaine and methamphetamines can cause drug-induced psychosis, including hallucinations and delusions.
The Risks of Untreated Co-Occurring Disorders
Addiction is a mental health disorder, just like other mental illnesses like anxiety disorders and depression. For a long time, addiction treatment centers have seen a link between substance abuse and mental health and commonly co-occur. The relationship between substance abuse and mental health is more common than most people know.