There are a variety of ways that mental health affects addiction. Mental health and addiction issues often occur together in the same person. Many treatment programs, such as our Kentucky rehab, treat the whole person, not just the addiction. People with addiction issues and their family members must understand how mental health affects addiction and the treatment and other resources that are available at ourย addiction treatment programs.
The Mental Health and Addiction Connection
Researchers and treatment professionals have known for many years that there is a link between addiction and mental health. They do not know yet, though, the catalyst, the mental health, or the addiction. They affect each other, no matter which one started first. A person with addiction issues may have started or continued their substance abuse to self-medicate their mental health disorder. Similarly, an individual may exhibit mental health issues because of their addiction to alcohol or other drugs.
Some dual diagnosis disorders, which are often referred to as co-occurring disorders, involve a mental health diagnosis such as depression, anxiety disorder, or bipolar disorder. People may turn to alcohol, marijuana, prescription drugs, or opioids to escape their mental health symptoms.
Drug abuse and addiction often affect the brain. These changes may occur as short-term or long-term changes. Some changes that occur possibly include:
- Paranoia related to the drug use and mental health effects
- Aggression that may occur as a result of the changes in the brain or related to both mental health and the addiction issue
- Changes in brain structure and function
- Worsening symptoms over time
Some other possible effects of how mental health affects addiction include experiencing hallucinations or brain changes that enhance the rewarding effects of the drug use. This likely results in an increased likelihood of continuing with substance use.
Common Mental Health Disorders Linked to Addiction
Several mental health disorders are frequently associated with substance use disorders, as individuals may turn to drugs or alcohol to manage their symptoms. Some of the most common co-occurring mental health disorders include:
- Depression: Individuals struggling with depression may use substances to escape feelings of sadness, hopelessness, or lack of motivation. Unfortunately, substance use often exacerbates depressive symptoms over time, creating a cycle thatโs hard to break without treatment.
- Anxiety Disorders: People with anxiety disorders, such as generalized anxiety disorder, panic disorder, or social anxiety, may turn to substances to calm their nerves or manage social situations. Substance use, however, can increase anxiety symptoms in the long term and lead to greater dependence.
- Bipolar Disorder: Those with bipolar disorder experience intense mood swings between manic and depressive episodes. During manic phases, substance use may be impulsive, while during depressive phases, individuals may use substances to cope with low moods, making bipolar disorder a high-risk condition for addiction.
- Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD): Individuals with PTSD may rely on substances to numb intrusive memories, flashbacks, or heightened anxiety. Substance use provides temporary relief but often worsens PTSD symptoms and can lead to addiction.
- Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD): ADHD is often linked to impulsive behavior, and individuals may turn to stimulants, alcohol, or other substances as a form of self-medication. Substance use can further impair focus and impulse control, increasing the risks of addiction.
These co-occurring disorders illustrate the need for dual diagnosis treatment, where both mental health and addiction issues are treated simultaneously. This approach helps individuals manage their symptoms healthier and work towards long-term recovery.
Recognizing the Signs of Dual Diagnosis
Identifying a dual diagnosis, where an individual experiences both a mental health disorder and a substance use disorder, can be complex, as symptoms from one condition often overlap or amplify the other. One of the most noticeable indicators of a dual diagnosis is the intensification of emotional symptoms when substances are not in use. For example, someone with depression may feel even more despondent or hopeless during periods of sobriety, turning to substances as a way to manage overwhelming emotions. This cycle of relief and intensification creates a powerful dependency, where the individual feels trapped in alternating episodes of heightened symptoms and temporary relief through substance use.
People with a dual diagnosis often find it challenging to keep up with daily responsibilities, as the effects of both the mental health disorder and substance use impact their ability to manage routines, work, relationships, and self-care. This difficulty in functioning can lead to social withdrawal, as they may feel too overwhelmed or ashamed to engage with others. They may begin to isolate themselves, avoiding social interactions to cope privately with symptoms of their mental health condition or to conceal their substance use.
Another sign of dual diagnosis is frequent and unpredictable mood swings. An individual might experience heightened irritability, outbursts, or mood fluctuations due to the combined effects of addiction and untreated mental health symptoms. These mood changes can make it difficult for them to communicate effectively or maintain stable relationships, often leaving friends and family feeling uncertain and concerned.
Repeated, inconsistent attempts to achieve sobriety can also point to a dual diagnosis. Many individuals with co-occurring disorders attempt to quit substance use, only to relapse when the untreated mental health symptoms become too difficult to manage. This cycle emphasizes the need for a comprehensive treatment approach that addresses both conditions simultaneously. By recognizing these signs and understanding the complex relationship between mental health and substance use, individuals and their support systems can seek the appropriate dual diagnosis treatment that provides a path toward lasting recovery and a healthier, more balanced life.
Raising Awareness of Mental Health and Addiction Treatment
When a person experiences both addiction and mental health issues, they must receive treatment for both issues at the same time. This may occur in intensive outpatient treatment settings, at a facility that offers menโs rehab center programs or womenโs rehab center programs.
Several sources indicate that approximately half of all individuals with mental health disorders also experience substance use disorders. When people have a substance use disorder, there is a chance that the mental health symptoms increase as the effects of the drug wears off. Symptoms such as depression, anxiety, or other issues may occur, which may, in turn, lead many people to use more of the drug or different drugs to try to overcome the mental health symptoms.
Substance abuse treatment program staff are aware of the possibility of clients experiencing mental health disorders along with their substance use disorder. This mental health awareness helps to establish the presence of both disorders. Still, it is best for clients who know that they have co-occurring disorders to reveal the information during their comprehensive assessment at our Kentucky rehab. The highly qualified team members make sure that every client receives the drug addiction program services and the mental health services that they need for their recovery.
Discover More About Our Kentucky Rehab’s Individualized Addiction Treatment
Everyone has different treatment needs, even if two or more people have the same or similar diagnosis. At our Kentucky rehab, this is a primary reason that we offer individualized treatment programs for your specific treatment needs. our Kentucky rehab team will be there for every step of your recovery, including after treatment, if you go to one of our sober living homes. Contact us today at (888) 771-8718 to learn more and to get started on your recovery.
