It’s estimated that roughly 45 million Americans have some form of mental health issue. Mental illnesses are a serious problem, but they aren’t the only widespread health concern. The National Institute on Drug Abuse has found that around one in four individuals with a serious mental illness also suffers from a substance abuse disorder.
The shared existence of these two cognitive problems is known as comorbidity. Despite their prevalence, neither issue directly causes the other. For example, not everyone diagnosed with a mental illness will turn to substance abuse. However, that does not mean that the connection between mental illness and substance abuse is just a coincidence.
There are several reasons why these two serious health problems are diagnosed together, as they actively influence one another and worsen symptoms and behavior. Sometimes their signs are so similar that they overlap, causing a person to receive treatment for one but not the other. For more information on this complicated subject, let’s explore the connection between mental illness and substance abuse and how they interrelate.
Similar Brain Affects
The human brain plays a large role in the connection between mental illness and substance abuse. Mental health problems and substance addictions are both cognitive disorders that rewire how the brain functions. In many cases, they directly affect one another. Brains use neurotransmitters and chemicals to influence emotion and mood, but their levels can become uneven and distorted through substance use. If one becomes too disordered, it can lead to severe mental health problems.
Another connection between mental illness and substance abuse that takes place in the brain is that they occupy similar regions. Every brain has different areas that control or regulate certain functions, and the regions that are changed through substance use are also heavily affected by anxiety, depression, and other mental health problems.
Self-Medication
One of the reasons why people turn to illicit drugs is to cope with their mental illness. They believe self-medicating can provide relief from unbearable emotions and difficult life situations. Unfortunately, this temporary escape won’t last forever and will only worsen their condition in time.
They Compound Each Other
A major connection between mental illness and substance abuse is how the two compound one another. As mentioned, someone with a mental illness may turn to harmful substances as a coping mechanism. However, a substance addiction will only worsen their mental health problems, causing them to depend on more of it in turn. Additionally, it’s possible for some drugs to impair the effectiveness of antidepressants and anxiety medications, making mental health issues harder to treat.
Substances Can Trigger Mental Illnesses
Abusing substances may not directly cause mental illnesses, but it can activate new ones. Individuals who use a harmful substance over a longer period of time can eventually trigger mental health problems like psychosis. Further, it’s possible for substances to push people over the edge and activate cognitive disorders they otherwise wouldn’t have developed.
They Can Have the Same Cause
Many connections between mental illness and substance abuse exist because they can both emerge from the same source. For instance, traumatic childhood experiences can spur the development of mental illness and drive individuals to unhealthy coping habits like alcoholism. High-stress levels due to serious life events or struggles at work, among other causes, are another factor that can be the root of both problems. It is also worth noting that genetics can play a significant role in how susceptible a person is to addiction.
If you’re searching for a way to overcome your substance addiction and take care of your mental health, reach out to Solstice Counseling. We offer a variety of health services, including our many rehab options and outpatient programs in NJ. For more information, call us today.