Connection Between Mental Illness and Substance Abuse

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Some people have substance abuse problems and mental health issues showing at the same time. Such a situation is called a co-occurring disorder.

Dealing with heavy drinking or drug habits is a challenging task. It’s even tougher when you’re also overwhelmed with mental health problems. Drug use hinders a person’s abilities and thinking powers, which leads to mental Illness.

Connection Between Mental Illness and Substance Abuse
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In dual treatment disorders, both the mental health issue and substance abuse issue have their distinctive signs. Mental problems get in the way of a person’s ability to function, problems at work or school, difficulty keeping a long-lasting home life. The biggest problem is relating to others.

Mental Illness and substance abuse disorders are interrelated. When a mental health problem goes overlooked, the substance abuse problem gets worse, alcohol or drug abuse increases, mental health problems on the whole. 

Which Problem should be Tackled First

Substance abuse and mental health illness are very much connected. Abusing substances can cause severe abnormal reactions. Prolonged abuse can make the condition worse. More than twenty-five per cent of adults with serious mental health problems have substance abuse issues. People suffering from mental problems are more inclined to substance use.

It is challenging to identify which problem is the leading cause. It can be a mental issue or substance abuse, and warning signs vary for all. However, there are some common warning signs to identify co-occurring disorder. 

1. Do you drink alcohol or use drugs to deal with:

  • horrible recalls or emotions,
  • to curb pain or the strength of your moods,
  • to fear 
  • to stay focused on tasks

2. Have you observed a relationship between your substance use and your mental health?

  • Do you get depressed when you drink? 
  • Drink when you’re feeling worried or troubled by bad memories?

3. Do you feel depressed, anxious, even when you’re clear-headed?

4. Have you ever been treated for misuse or mental health problems?

5. Did the treatment fail because of your mental health issue or vice versa.

Sign of Substance Use Disorders

substance abuse
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1. Behavioral changes, such as:

  • Drop-in turnout and performance at work or school
  • often getting into trouble.
  • Drinking or drugs use can get physically dangerous, especially when driving or operating a machine
  • Engaging careless or suspicious behaviours
  • Changes in eating or sleep patterns
  • Unexplained change in personality or attitude
  • Unexpected mood swings, bad temper, or angry waves
  • Periods of unusual overactivity, shakeup, or dizziness
  • Lacking motivation
  • Appearing fearful, anxious, with no reason               

2. Physical changes, such as:

  • Bloodshot eyes and abnormal size pupils
  • Unexpected weight loss or weight gain
  • The decline of physical appearance
  • Unusual breath odours, smelling body, or clothing
  • Tremors, unclear speech, or weakened coordination

3. Social changes, such as:

  • Sudden change in friends, hangout places, and pastimes
  • Legal problems related to substance use
  • Too much spending or financial problems
  • Using substances knowing it creates problems.

Treatment for Substance Abuse and Mental illness

The best treatment is a combined strategy. Through this approach, both illnesses are treated at the same time. Lasting recovery depends on getting treatment for both disorders. The person should be committed, ready to accept his condition.

Treatment of mental health include:

  • medicines
  • individual or group analysis 
  • self-help ways
  • lifestyle changes
  • friend support.

Treatment of substance abuse include: 

  • cleansing, fasting, fresh juices.
  • managing of withdrawal signs, 
  • behaviour control,
  • support groups to help maintain your control

Finding the right treatment program 

  • There are numerous approaches taken by treatment programs Texas, but it is better to learn the basics of treatment:
  • Treatment tackles both the substance abuse problem and a mental illness problem.
  • You share in the supervisory process and are keenly involved in fixing goals and making strategies for change.
  • Treatment includes simple education about all issues related.
  • You learn handling skills and techniques to reduce substance abuse, fortify your relationships, and manage life’s stressors, challenges, and defeats.

Conclusion  

Finding the right treatment program
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Hope for the best. Both mental illness and alcohol and drug abuse problems are curable. Recovering takes time, commitment, and courage.

It’s crucial to stay sober during treatment. Take your medication and stay aloof from drinking. It could have profound bad effects on your progress. Talk therapy will not be useful if you’re taking drugs or alcohol.

Relapses are part of the healing process. Don’t get disheartened if you relapse. Slips and setbacks are part of life, and with hard work, you can recover and move on with life.

Friends support can help. You may gain a lot from joining a self-help support group. You can learn from your support group friend’s experience because they know what you’re going through.

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Connection Between Mental Illness and Substance Abuse 1

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