Preventing Mental Illness by Receiving Treatment for Drug Addiction

Although many doctors speculate whether mental illness is the cause or result of substance abuse, there is definitely a correlation. People who abuse substances often find themselves suffering from a mental illness after stopping their substance abuse. Seeking treatment for substance abuse early in the addiction can lessen your chances of suffering from a number of mental illnesses.

What is Drug Induced Mental Illness?

According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse, chronic drug use causes permanent physical changes in the brain. These changes lead to a variety of disorders such as:

• hallucinations
• paranoia
• depression
• chronic insomnia
• anxiety
• aggression and rage disorders
• drug induced psychosis
• drug or alcohol induced dementia

These are all conditions that can range from mild to very serious. Although almost any substance you abuse can cause some sort of mental illness, there are a few very recognizable culprits. These substances are:

• inhalants
• cocaine
• marijuana
• ketamine
• alcohol
  

  Exposure to stress can lead to both mental illness and substance abuse.

• opiates and opioid drugs
• MDMA
• amphetamines including ADHD medications
• crack cocaine
• methamphetamine
• other prescription stimulants

The longer you abuse a substance the more likely these conditions are to become permanent and severe. The only way to prevent drug induced mental illness is to seek treatment for your addiction as soon as possible. To find a qualified treatment center call 800-315-1376 (Who Answers?).

The Correlation Between Mental Illness and Substance Abuse

According to the Department of Health and Human Services, mental illness and substance abuse disorders share common ground. They often share:

• changes in brain structure and function
• exposure to stress
• family problems or violence
• exposure to traumatic events either personal or in the community
• early exposure to trauma
• genetic predisposition or vulnerabilities

Sharing these root qualities makes it very difficult to distinguish if a substance abuse problem caused the mental disorder or is a result of it.

During treatment many doctors and therapists discover a mental health issue that is being covered by the substance abuse. The patient is self-medicating in order to keep a mental illness under control. It is only after the substance abuse is treated that the true mental illness is apparent and the patient can start working on the real problem.

In either case, early substance abuse treatment is key in preventing and treating mental illness when the two occur together or as a result of one another. As a result, most therapists and doctors who specialize in addiction treatment are prepared to treat both.

Finding Treatment Early

By seeking treatment early, you can prevent drug induced mental illness or if there is an existing condition prevent making your mental illness worse. There are many options available for detoxification, substance abuse treatment, and the treatment of mental illness that occurs with or as a result of substance abuse. You can explore your options by calling 800-315-1376 (Who Answers?). We can help you find the treatment that is right for you.

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