Addiction is more than just a struggle with substances; it’s a challenge that can deeply affect your mental health, even if you’re managing to keep everything else in your life together.
Picture this: you’re doing well at work, maintaining your relationships, and keeping up with daily responsibilities. Yet, you rely on alcohol, drugs, or nicotine to get through the day.
Addiction can sneak up on anyone, often starting as a way to handle stress or fit in socially. Maybe you feel like you can’t enjoy going out with friends unless there’s alcohol involved, or like you need to use drugs to relax after work.
But even if you seem to be managing fine on the surface, the impact of addiction on your mental health can be profound. Some can even cause or worsen mental illness, like depression and bipolar disorder.
In this blog, we’ll explore the complex relationship between addiction and mental health, so you can recognize when it’s time to get help.
Understanding Addiction & Its Forms
Addiction isn’t limited to illegal drugs; it includes alcohol and nicotine—substances that are often socially accepted but can be just as harmful.
And addiction goes beyond physical dependence, which is when your body adapts to a substance, and you experience withdrawal symptoms without it. It’s characterized by a psychological craving and compulsive use, despite knowing the negative consequences.
According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA), around 40.3 million people in the U.S. struggled with a substance use disorder in 2020. This number highlights how common addiction is and emphasizes the importance of understanding its effects on mental health.
The Impact of Addiction on Mental Health
Addiction and mental health disorders—and mental health issues like depression, anxiety, and bipolar disorder—often go hand in hand. These conditions may be present before the addiction, but they can also be triggered by it. In fact, alcohol or drug addiction can worsen mental health symptoms, creating a cycle that’s difficult to break.
A study published in the National Library of Medicine found that nearly 50% of people with a severe mental health disorder also struggle with substance use disorders. These co-occurring disorders show how important it is to address both issues together for effective treatment.
Consider someone with depression who turns to alcohol for relief. Initially, they might feel a sense of escape. But over time, alcohol can deepen their depression, leading to more drinking and deepening mental health problems.
How Substance Use Alters Brain Chemistry
Alcohol, drugs, and nicotine significantly impact brain chemistry, affecting your mood, behavior, and mental stability. These substances interfere with the brain’s reward system, which influences how we experience pleasure and motivates our behavior.
Psych Scenehub explains that addiction disrupts several brain circuits, including those involved in reward, motivation, learning, memory, and inhibitory control. This disruption can lead to mood swings, impaired judgment, and increased vulnerability to a mental disorder or mental illnesses.
For example, cocaine increases dopamine levels in the brain, creating intense feelings of pleasure. But, repeated use can cause long-term changes in brain chemistry, making it harder to feel joy from everyday activities, which can lead to a mental health problem.
Recognizing the Signs of Deteriorating Mental Health
It’s important to identify the signs that your mental health might be suffering due to substance use. These signs can be subtle, especially if you or someone you love is a high-functioning addict who manages to keep up appearances despite your struggles.
Here are some questions to help you assess the situation:
- Do you or your loved one often feel persistently sad or anxious, even when there’s no clear reason?
- Have you noticed mood swings or increased irritability that seem hard to control?
- Are you or your loved one having trouble concentrating or making decisions, more so than usual?
- Do you find yourself or your loved one withdrawing from social activities and relationships that used to be enjoyable?
- Have there been significant changes in your sleep patterns or appetite recently?
If you answered “yes” to any of these questions, it might be time to consider how substance use is affecting your mental health or that of your loved one.
How to Know if Someone Is a High-Functioning Addict
High-functioning addicts can maintain their jobs, relationships, and daily responsibilities, making it difficult to spot the problem. However, there are warning signs to look out for.
If you or someone you love consistently uses substances to cope with their stress or emotions, exhibits changes in behavior or personality, or seems to need substances to function normally, these could be signs of high-functioning addiction.
Learn more about mental illnesses and what can trigger them in our previous blog, “Mental Illness and Genetics.”
The Benefits of Quitting: Mental Health Improvements
Recovering from addiction doesn’t just help you rid your body of harmful substances; it also leads to positive changes in your mental health.
According to a study by the Recovery Research Institute, people who have recovered from addiction often report higher levels of well-being and life satisfaction.
They experience improvements in mental health, including reduced symptoms of depression and anxiety, better emotional stability, and an increase in overall quality of life.
The Mental Health Support You Need to Overcome Drug or Alcohol Addiction
If you or someone you know is struggling with addiction, remember that you’re not alone. Help is available. At Region Five Crisis & Counseling Services, we’re dedicated to providing the support, resources, and community you need to overcome addiction and transform your mental health.
Take the first step towards a healthier, happier future through our peer and family support programs. Explore our services at Region Five Crisis & Counseling to learn more about our mental health services and how we can assist you on your journey to recovery.
You can also call our crisis helpline on (757) 656-7755 for immediate support. Your path to better mental health starts here.