subject: Mental Illness And Substance Abuse-how They Are Really Connected [print this page] Mental Illness and substance abuse are strongly associated with each other in many ways. Usually, an individual who is using prescription medicine for long durations may develop dependence to its elements which will lead him to abuse the medication to acquire efficient results. In many cases, individuals with mental illnesses like depression and anxiety disorder use alcohol to alleviate their discomforts.
Many experts of drug and alcohol rehabilitation center,believed that the link of substance abuse and mental illness are usually noticed on patients medicated for addiction. Most of the underlying factors that cause someone to abuse substances are merely related to mental health problems. People who have serious anxiety disorder often turn to common depressants like alcohol or prescription narcotics to relieve themselves from pressure, while others with chronic depression depend on stimulants to ward-off sadness.
Any individual who is struggling from two related conditions concurrently is known to have dual diagnosis. In treating substance abuse and mental illness, the knowledge of medical professionals from drug addiction rehab is necessary. They are trained experts who can design a treatment program to treat both conditions simultaneously. The mental health problems that are often involved during withdrawal from drugs and alcohol like hallucinations, paranoria, depression, sleeping troubles and anxiety are fist treated. The underlying serious mental issues may require a long term therapy.
The combination of these two conditions often makes it difficult for patients to function normally in their life's daily activities. Addiction and mental metal illness often develop a problem at work that it may arrived at a point where the employer will decide to terminate the person. Becoming jobless can worsen the mental illness of the abuser. Substance abuse can ruin family relationships and other social obligations leading to isolation. This situation will also result in high level of stress and increasing consumption of drugs and alcohol. Without immediate proper medication, this cycle will continue and the condition will get worse.
The connection of mental illness and addiction can be also observed in homeless population. There is a large percentage of individuals who are less fortunate in life that are mostly struggling with both condition. These people often have less access to mental health rehabilitation centers and their illnesses usually go untreated for many years. There are only a few individuals who can cope up with the implications of untreated addiction. In many cases, the problem results in chronic health complications resulting to death.
If you know someone who is struggling from both conditions simultaneously, you can suggest him to see a doctor immediately before complications will occur. You can also help him find a suitable treatment if he is willing to recover.
