Drug Abuse Linked to Rise in Mental Disorders

A lot of people know about the lethal effects of drug use and abuse, but still, they do not hesitate from experimenting with them on every possible occasion. Drug addiction is a serious brain disorder that not only harms the person addicted to the drug but also adversely affects the lives of his near or dear ones.

Repeated drug use leads to drastic changes in the brain chemistry, which reduces a person's self-control, apart from causing physical and mental harm. While physical harm becomes apparent in due course, the co-existing mental illness remains hidden and undiagnosed, until it reaches uncontrollable levels.

Drug abuse and mental disorder usually go hand in hand, and in certain cases, one may even lead to the other.

Drug abuse alters brain chemicals causing mental disorders

According to the Substance Abuse and Metal Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), approximately 8.9 million people in the United States reportedly suffer from a co-existing mental health condition and substance use disorder. Substance abuse disrupts the normal functioning of the brain and alters the neurotransmitters responsible for creating "feel good factors," which poses a serious threat to its normal functioning. Excessive indulgence in illegal substances can exacerbate the existing symptoms of a mental health condition, and even result in a latent mental ailment.

Abuse of drugs, such as ecstasy, alters the chemicals in the brain, which control the mood and behavior, thereby causing devastating mental disorders such as depression and anxiety disorders. When it comes to teens, excessive drug use can alter their cognitive and social development, thereby causing serious disruptions in their day-to-day activities.

The co-existence of an addiction and a mental disorder is known as dual diagnosis. Some of the commonly occurring co-existing conditions are:

Cocaine abuse and anxiety disorders: Studies have shown that an excessive use of cocaine leads to the development of anxiety disorders, even in users who are not prone to anxiety. The drug also potentially increases the severity of the existing anxiety symptoms, such as feelings of fear, worry or uneasiness, muscle tension, racing thoughts and heart palpitations, among others.

Opioids abuse and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD): The comorbidity of opioid abuse and post-traumatic stress disorder is primarily found in women and elderly people, who are suffering from chronic pain. According to a 2014 study published in the American Journal of Drug and Alcohol Abuse, the chances of developing a severe form of PTSD increase by 42 percent in people struggling with substance abuse as compared to others who do not abuse any substances. Moreover, the chances of developing PTSD due to opioid addiction was 200 percent higher in women as compared to men.

Marijuana abuse coexisting with schizophrenia: It has been found that marijuana users, especially adolescents and young adults, experience several psychotic symptoms, such as hearing voices,

imagining people and hallucinating. Studies have shown that most psychotic conditions result in disruptions in the dopamine system which is the main interactive site of cannabinoids.

Road to recovery

Addiction is a disease that needs to be treated as early as possible. Addiction of any sort can have harmful and adverse effects on the affected person and though the path to recovery is long and strenuous, especially for chronic addiction, it is not impossible.

If you or your loved one is battling addiction, get in touch with Sovereign Addiction Services to gain access to the latest and innovative treatment methods at our state-of-the-art outpatient addiction treatment Centers spread across the U.S. You may call at our 24/7 helpline number 866-901-9644 to know about the most effective recovery programs at our reliable Outpatient addiction treatment Centers or outpatient addiction treatment Centers.


 By Susan Navarez


Article Source: Drug Abuse Linked to Rise in Mental Disorders