The Impact of Addiction on Mental Health and How to Cope

Substance use disorder (SUD) often has a significant impact on overall mental health. Many suffering from SUD simultaneously suffer from a variety of other mental health-related issues that complicate their recovery plan and road to sobriety.

Recent research found that more than 60% of adolescents residing in community-based treatment programs also meet the diagnostic criteria for at least one other mental illness.

In today’s article, we will be taking a deep dive into addiction and mental health, examining the way substance use disorder affects other aspects of your mental health and exploring several of the leading causes and strategies to effectively cope.

Why Do People Use Drugs?

There are countless reasons people use drugs or alcohol, but most of them involve mental health-related issues in some way, shape, or form. Some of the most common causes for drug and alcohol abuse include low self-esteem, unresolved traumas from childhood, or struggling to fit in with peers.

For many of these individuals, drugs and alcohol act as a temporary prop that helps them get through the internal and external hardships of their daily lives. It is viewed as an essential survival tool.

While this may work in the short term as a temporary solution (or at least feel as if it does), it ultimately leads to the user to  feel worse in the end and exacerbates the underlying mental health problems at play.

This is referred to as self-medication and is a global phenomenon and one of the most pressing issues in the fight against substance use disorder. If you or a person you love is suffering from mental health issues, substance use disorder, or a combination of the two, reach out and seek help as soon as possible. It is never too late to get on the path to recovery and achieve long-lasting sobriety.

Understanding Dual Diagnosis

Dual diagnosis is a commonly used term to describe individuals who suffer from severe mental health problems in addition to substance use disorder. Sometimes it is found that one of the diseases is directly feeding into and contributing to the other, while other times the two are completely separate occurrences and unrelated. Each individual case is different, and it is important to treat them as such. 

Common Risk Factors of Dual Diagnosis

While each instance of substance use disorder, mental health struggles, and dual diagnosis are unique and varied depending on an uncountable number of factors, there are a few commonalities that are often seen across large populations suffering from them. Some of the most common include the following:

1. Genetic Vulnerabilities

It is often estimated that between 40% and 60% of a person’s susceptibility to having serious mental health problems such as substance use disorder can be attributed to genetics. This suggests that everybody does not begin at the same level, with certain individuals being far more likely to suffer from the disease than others.

Taking extra precautions, heightening your awareness, and frequent internal reflection can play dividends in helping to mitigate any potential genetic vulnerabilities that you may have within your DNA, known or otherwise. Unfortunately, it is impossible to mitigate genetic predispositions completely, but you can actively work against them.

2. Environmental Influences

Another major factor that commonly contributes to negative mental health issues is the environment in which you grow up. Childhood environments containing high degrees of stress and adverse experiences can play a major role in future mental health issues, particularly substance use disorder.

3. Past and Childhood Trauma

Individuals who have suffered from trauma, physical or emotional, have a significantly higher likelihood of suffering from substance use disorder or other forms of mental health issues at some point in their lives.

This is seen at an uncomfortable rate in those suffering from post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). In a case study of United States service members returning from combat in Iraq, it was found that roughly 16% of the soldiers suffered from untreated substance use disorder between 2004 and 2010, with a further 8% suffering from serious psychological stress (SPD).

How to Cope With Addiction and Mental Health Issues

Living and coping with addiction and other mental health issues can be an incredibly difficult endeavor, but with the proper recovery plan and implementation of leading sobriety best practices, it is entirely possible.

Getting Support For Your Addiction

Actively seeking help in the form of research-backed mental health care is one of the most important steps that you will ever take in your fight against substance use disorder. Recovery treatment plans look different for every person, so it is important that you reach out and talk to professionals in order to find the things that work best for you and your individual set of circumstances.

The Role of Friends, Family, and Other Loved Ones

While difficult, it is relatively straightforward what steps need to be taken if you are suffering from substance use disorder or other mental health issues. This is not the case for the loved ones.

Encouragement and emotional support are two of the most beneficial things that you can provide your loved one who is suffering from their disease. It is important to remember, however, that you can not force somebody to seek help or begin their recovery journey, or do it all for them.

All you can do is be there for them and love them openly while also setting firm boundaries and keeping your own mental health a central focus.

Begin Your Recovery Journey Today With SoberMind

SoberMind Recovery is a Los Angeles recovery center offering a wide range of highly specialized treatment options, recovery, and rehabilitation programs ranging from LGBTQ sober living to dual diagnosis care. In addition to these programs, they also offer individual, group, and cognitive behavioral therapy services. 

This all serves our mission here at SoberMind: a dedication to providing individualized, research-backed care in a compassionate and high-quality environment while making a difference in the world of substance use disorder. We help people achieve long-lasting recovery, find their sobriety, and lead well-balanced lives.

Residents of the Greater Los Angeles area are encouraged to call today 100% free of charge at 818-835-9268 or 819-398-8047 to see if our compassionate, evidence-based treatment options are a good fit for you and your recovery needs.