People use alcohol and drugs for different reasons, like failure in life or financial issues. Normally, it’s a perception that addiction will relax the person. But even if you are taking drugs or alcohol for a reason, it still has a detrimental impact on you.
If you abuse substances that can lead to worsening health, it can also increase the risk of suicide attempts or self-harm. There is much research as well as data that suggests that drug use may be the initial factor in the development of mental disease. Research indicates that drug or alcohol use may elevate the risk of psychosis or a psychotic condition, for instance.
Effects of addiction on mental health
Initially, any addiction gives you the experience of being the most powerful, stress-free, and calm person. Slowly, it shows its true colors and you will face a lot of trouble dealing with them. Given below are a few common effects of substances on a person.
- Strokes and elevated blood pressure.
- Issues with your pancreas and liver.
- Development of specific cancers, such as cancers of the mouth, intestines, and liver.
- Having trouble getting or keeping an erection.
- Feeling that you have to take a drink or drugs. Dependency is the term for this.
- Undergoing abrupt mood swings.
- Being pessimistic about life.
Which drugs have the potential to harm my mental health?
Cannabis
Some individuals use cannabis because it helps them feel relaxed, but it can also create anxiety or paranoia. Unreal experiences can happen to some people. Drug-induced psychosis is indicated by this.
Alcohol
Some mental health patients struggle with alcohol use. Since alcohol is legal, obtaining it is simpler. It may exacerbate the symptoms of several mental health conditions. How much you drink and the frequency of your alcohol consumption also affect its long-term effects. Regular binge drinking can have a major negative impact on your physical and mental health. You may do things after drinking that you wouldn’t typically do. Suicide and self-harm are examples of this. A very high alcohol intake can lead to psychosis.
Schedule a consultation with a professional or use an orange county mental health treatment if you have been using alcohol that is having an impact on your health. This toll-free service is intended to offer private, anonymous help and information on addiction therapy.
New Psychoactive Substances (NPS)
These medications have one or more chemical ingredients. They have effects akin to those of ecstasy, cocaine, and cannabis.
Certain modern psychoactive medications may make you feel anxious and confused. Furthermore, possible are hallucinations. When you experience sensations that others do not, you see, smell, hear, or feel things. Your behavior may change as a result of hallucinations. Your actions may become unpredictable and seriously jeopardize your safety.
Amphetamine and methamphetamine
These medications have the immediate effect of keeping you attentive and wide awake. You could find it difficult to unwind or fall asleep as a result. You could get drug-induced psychosis as a result of them. Amphetamines may cause anxiety and depression in the long run. They might also become compulsive. When you stop using the medication, you could experience depression and have trouble falling asleep.
Benzodiazepines
Among the tranquilizers are benzodiazepines. To alleviate anxiety, they are employed. They are also utilized as a muscle relaxant. To treat anxiety, benzodiazepines may occasionally be prescribed by a doctor. Due to their calming properties, many also purchase them illegally. Physicians prescribe them for a limited period of time due to their potential for addiction. These medications may provide you with short-term calmness. Whichever kind you take, it may cause you to feel disoriented or unduly tired.
It can be risky to combine benzodiazepines with alcohol or other drugs. Breathing may be affected by it. Additionally, it may make overdoses more likely. Some people develop long-term addictions. This could have a significant impact on their daily lives.
Conclusion
If you abstain from alcohol, the negative impacts of addiction worsen, and you become less emotionally and psychologically stable, which may potentially lead to the co-occurrence of a mental health illness. Additionally, the substance use disease may have exacerbated an untreated mental health condition, such as depression. It is crucial to locate a treatment provider who is knowledgeable about the intricacies of dual-diagnosis treatment if you have mental health and/or drug use disorders that co-occur.
