Substance Abuse And Mental Illness Essay

Drug abuse and mental illness

Introduction

Many individuals today suffer from a drug addiction problem. Some research shows that anxiety, depression or loneliness can cause people to unsuccessfully self-medicate with drugs, and other disorders such as ADHD, PTSD, or clinical depression can increase the risk of drug abuse. This study tests the hypothesis that those with either an undiagnosed or diagnosed mental illness are more likely to become addicted to drugs. Other studies have found that over 2/3 of the consumption of cigarettes, cocaine and alcohol are from those who suffered from a mental illness at one point and that the chance of recovery is poorer unless those affected by both substance abuse and mental illness have a personalized treatment to help both of these issues. It is believed that those who have mental illnesses can have a higher risk for drug addiction if they do not treat their mental illness and use drugs.

Results and discussion

Those suffering from serious mental illness that were discharged from a hospital are frequently associated with substance use and have a poorer recovery rate, but addiction treatment that is individually personalized with taking their diagnosis and

Individuals that are affected by anxiety, depression, and loneliness may use drugs to cope. This can result in a worsened mental state, and a budding drug addiction. These are not the only risk factors, or even the main risk factor. This source lists family history of addiction, gender (males typically being a higher risk), peer pressure especially in young adults where this may be the factor that convinces them to start a drug. Family issues such as lack of bonding or lack of supervision, and the use of highly addictive drugs such as stimulants, pain killers, and cocaine are also very important risk factors in why individuals develop a drug problem. (Risk factors, Staff