Addiction and mental health are often co-occurring conditions. Understanding the causes and identifying the symptoms of these disorders can help you choose the right treatment. You should always seek professional help if you suspect you may have a problem. Some people respond immediately to treatment, while others may require different forms of therapy.
Co-occurring disorders of mental health and substance abuse
Many people struggle with both mental health and substance abuse disorders. This comorbidity can make one disorder worse than the other. It's important to understand how each disorder affects the other. Co-occurring disorders can be difficult to diagnose, but with proper treatment, they can be managed. Understanding how co-occurring disorders affect you can help you get the help you need to move forward.
A co-occurring disorder of mental health and substance abuse can interfere with everyday life and relationships. Both conditions affect the brain in different ways and can worsen each other. A person with a mental health disorder is at a higher risk of suffering from a substance use disorder if they do not receive the treatment they need. In addition, people with both conditions are at an increased risk for hospitalization and other consequences of their addictions.
Treatment options
There are many treatment options available for mental health and addiction. Addiction is a disease that affects the person's brain chemistry, genetics and environmental factors. It can also be the result of mental illness, such as depression and schizophrenia. People with these disorders often rely on certain substances to manage symptoms. During their addiction, they experience changes to their brain that increase the pleasure and reward associated with these substances.
Treatment for substance abuse may include counseling and medication. A therapist may also recommend a self-help support group for patients. These groups may be local or online. Inpatient and outpatient treatment facilities often offer intensive therapy. This type of treatment involves close monitoring of the client's progress and health more frequently.
Symptoms
Addiction is an unhealthy behavior that can affect a person's mental and physical health. It can also make a person more vulnerable to other problems. There are several causes of addiction, including childhood experiences that are physically or emotionally abusive. These can include neglect, violence, or even parental separation or divorce. In some cases, addiction can also be caused by a substance that the person has developed a physical dependence on.
Substance abuse can aggravate symptoms of mental illness, trigger new symptoms, and interfere with treatment. It can also interact with medications and slow the recovery process. People who abuse alcohol or drugs may use it to cope with unpleasant memories, control their moods, or focus their attention. Symptoms of addiction and mental health are often difficult to identify, but knowing what you're experiencing could help you seek help.
Causes
Research suggests that addiction and mental health are linked. Addiction is more common in individuals who have a mental health problem, and substance use can exacerbate symptoms of these conditions. Moreover, substance use is often used as a self-medication. Peer pressure can also contribute to substance abuse, particularly among young people. Family problems and lack of parental supervision are also risk factors for addiction.
Many factors play a role in addiction risk, including genetics and environmental conditions. In addition, early life exposure to trauma is associated with a higher risk of addiction. In fact, about 40 percent of addiction risk can be attributed to genetics. Genetic studies have linked specific regions of the human genome to an increased risk for substance abuse and other mental health issues.
Prevention
Prevention of addiction and mental health aims at improving individuals' behavior by promoting positive life choices. Research shows that drug use during adolescence and childhood disrupts brain function, affecting judgment, memory, and behavior control. Prevention programs are designed to promote protective factors such as good peer relationships and school connectedness, and help individuals develop self-management skills and emotional intelligence.
Prevention of addiction and mental health is a critical part of addressing the nation's physical and behavioral health. According to the National Survey on Drug Use and Health, people with a mental illness are at a higher risk of substance use disorders than those without. In 2014, 18.2 percent of adults with a mental disorder had a substance use disorder, compared with 6.3% of people without a mental illness.
