Is It Drugs Or Mental Illness?

Unravel the truth behind 'is it drugs or mental illness'? Discover the complex link and treatment options.

Published On

May 14, 2024

Dove Recovery's Team

Is It Drugs Or Mental Illness?

Understanding Addiction and Mental Illness

Navigating the intricate nexus between addiction and mental illness can be complex. This section aims to unravel this connection, focusing on substance use and its link to mental health, and understanding drug addiction as a disease impacting the brain and behavior.

The Link Between Substance Use and Mental Health

There is a strong link between substance use and mental health, a connection that has been increasingly recognized by health professionals worldwide. This correlation indicates that individuals struggling with mental health issues are more likely to find themselves grappling with substance use and vice versa.

The prevalence of these co-occurring issues is significant. In 2020, SAMHSA's National Helpline, a resource for individuals seeking help for substance use and mental health disorders, received 833,598 calls. This figure represents a 27% increase from the previous year, providing a sobering illustration of the substantial growth in the number of people requiring help for such issues [2].

Year	Number of Calls
2019	656,953
2020	833,598

Data courtesy SAMHSA

Drug Addiction: A Disease of the Brain and Behavior

Drug addiction, also known as substance use disorder, is a disease that affects a person's brain and behavior, leading to an inability to control the use of legal or illegal drugs or medicine. It is a condition that can begin with experimental use of a recreational drug in social situations. For some people, the drug use becomes more frequent over time.

For others, particularly with opioids, drug addiction begins when they are prescribed medications for valid medical reasons or receive them from others who have prescriptions. The risk of addiction and the speed at which an individual becomes addicted varies by drug. Some drugs, such as opioid painkillers, have a higher risk and cause addiction more quickly than others.

This understanding of drug addiction underscores the importance of treating it as a health issue rather than a moral failing or character flaw. Recognizing the connection between substance use and mental health is key to addressing these issues effectively and holistically. This perspective forms the foundation for the subsequent sections, which delve deeper into the factors influencing addiction, the overview of mental illness, and the co-occurrence of substance use and mental health disorders.

Factors Influencing Addiction

In the quest to understand the question, "is it drugs or mental illness", it's crucial to recognize the factors that influence addiction. This includes understanding the risk of addiction, the varied effects of different drugs, and the symptoms and process of overcoming addiction.

Risk of Addiction and Varied Drug Effects

Drug addiction, also known as substance use disorder, is a disease that affects a person's brain and behavior. It leads to an inability to control the use of a legal or illegal drug or medicine. Drug addiction can start with experimental use of a recreational drug in social situations. For some people, the drug use becomes more frequent. For others, particularly with opioids, drug addiction begins when they take prescribed medicines or receive them from others who have their prescriptions.

The risk of addiction and the speed at which one becomes addicted varies by drug. Some drugs, such as opioid painkillers, have a higher risk and cause addiction more quickly than others.

Withdrawal Symptoms and Overcoming Addiction

Quitting drug use can lead to withdrawal symptoms. These symptoms can include intense cravings and physical illness. The severity of the withdrawal symptoms often depends on the type of drug used and the duration of usage.

Overcoming addiction is a long and challenging process, but it is achievable. Help from healthcare providers, family, friends, support groups, or an organized treatment program can assist individuals in overcoming drug addiction and maintaining a drug-free lifestyle.

Recognizing the factors influencing addiction can provide a clearer understanding of the question, "is it drugs or mental illness". The interaction between these factors and mental health disorders is complex and requires comprehensive exploration, which is covered in the following sections of this article.

Mental Illness Overview

When investigating the question, 'is it drugs or mental illness?', it's important to understand the scope and impact of mental health disorders. This section will provide an overview of the prevalence and impact of several common mental illnesses, including anxiety, depression, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, and eating disorders.

Prevalence of Anxiety, Depression, and Bipolar Disorder

Anxiety, depression, and bipolar disorder are among the most prevalent mental health disorders worldwide. According to data from the World Health Organization, in 2019:

301 million people were living with an anxiety disorder, including 58 million children and adolescents. Effective psychological treatment exists for anxiety disorders, and depending on the age and severity, medication may also be considered.
280 million people were living with depression, including 23 million children and adolescents. Effective psychological treatment exists for depression, and depending on the age and severity, medication may also be considered.
40 million people experienced bipolar disorder. Effective treatment options exist for bipolar disorder, including psychoeducation, reduction of stress, strengthening of social functioning, and medication.

Mental Disorder	Number of People Affected (2019)
Anxiety	301 million
Depression	280 million
Bipolar Disorder	40 million

Impact of Schizophrenia and Eating Disorders

Schizophrenia and eating disorders, while less prevalent than anxiety, depression, and bipolar disorder, have a significant impact on the individuals affected and their communities.

Schizophrenia affects approximately 24 million people worldwide. People with schizophrenia have a life expectancy 10-20 years below that of the general population due to the condition's physical health impacts and a higher risk of suicide. Effective treatment options exist for schizophrenia, including medication, psychoeducation, family interventions, and psychosocial rehabilitation [4].
In 2019, 14 million people experienced eating disorders, including almost 3 million children and adolescents. Eating disorders can have severe health consequences, including heart and kidney problems and even death. Effective treatment options exist for eating disorders, including family-based treatment and cognitive-based therapy.

Mental Disorder	Number of People Affected (2019)
Schizophrenia	24 million
Eating Disorders	14 million

Understanding the prevalence and impact of these mental health disorders is crucial for distinguishing between drug addiction and mental illnesses and recognizing the potential co-occurrence of these conditions.

Co-Occurrence of Substance Use and Mental Health Disorders

Investigating the interplay between substance use and mental health disorders sheds light on the complex question of 'is it drugs or mental illness'. The co-occurrence of these disorders is common, presenting unique challenges in diagnosis and treatment.

Common Comorbidities and Co-Occurring Disorders

Substance use disorders (SUDs) are frequently comorbid with various mental health disorders. This includes anxiety disorders, depression, bipolar disorder, ADHD, psychotic illness, borderline personality disorder, and antisocial personality disorder. Many adolescents in community-based substance use disorder treatment programs meet diagnostic criteria for another mental illness, with over 60 percent exhibiting co-occurring mental illness. Furthermore, individuals with serious mental illness (SMI) are significantly more likely to have a substance use disorder, with about 1 in 4 individuals with SMI also having an SUD.

Disorder	% with Co-occurring SUD
Anxiety Disorders	20%
Depression	27%
Bipolar Disorder	56%
ADHD	15%
Psychotic Illness	47%
Borderline Personality Disorder	78%
Antisocial Personality Disorder	84%

Note: This data is estimated based on various studies and the actual prevalence may vary.

These co-occurring conditions often complicate the treatment process and may necessitate an integrated approach to manage both the substance use disorder and the mental health disorder effectively.

The Connection Between ADHD and Substance Use Disorders

Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is one mental health disorder that is often associated with substance use disorders. Research has shown that untreated ADHD in childhood or adolescence can lead to a higher risk of developing substance use disorders later in life [5].

On the other hand, effective treatment with stimulant medications can potentially reduce this risk. However, challenges arise in treating children with ADHD as effective treatment often involves stimulant medications with addictive potential.

In addition, early drug use is a strong risk factor for the later development of substance use disorders, and it may also increase the risk of developing other mental illnesses. This link, however, may not be causative and could be due to shared risk factors such as genetic vulnerability, psychosocial experiences, and environmental influences.

Understanding these links and their implications is crucial in addressing the intertwined challenges of mental health disorders and substance use disorders.

Treatment Approaches

Understanding the connection between drugs and mental illness is crucial, but what's even more vital is knowing how to seek treatment for these intertwined issues. Treatment approaches can include medication, therapy, and lifestyle changes, along with specific behavioral therapies for co-occurring disorders.

Medication, Therapy, and Lifestyle Changes

Effective medications are available to treat opioid, alcohol, and nicotine addiction, as well as lessen symptoms of various other mental disorders. Some medications may be useful in treating multiple disorders, which can be explored for Substance Use Disorders (SUDs) and mental disorders.

Therapy, or counseling, is another cornerstone of treatment. This approach works by helping individuals understand their disorders and develop coping strategies. Therapy can be done individually or in groups and can include cognitive-behavioral therapy, family therapy, or other types of mental health counseling.

Lifestyle changes are often a part of the treatment process. This can include a structured treatment program, support from healthcare providers, family, and friends, and involvement in support groups. These changes can assist in overcoming drug addiction and maintaining a drug-free lifestyle [3].

Behavioral Therapies for Co-Occurring Disorders

Behavioral therapies have shown promise in treating individuals with co-occurring substance use and mental disorders. These therapies can be recommended alone or in combination with medications, tailored to an individual's specific combination of disorders and symptoms. Such therapies consider factors such as age, the misused substance, and the specific mental disorder(s) [6].

Behavioral therapies can include cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), dialectical behavior therapy (DBT), acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT), and many others. The type of therapy chosen usually depends on the specific needs of the individual and the expertise of the therapist.

These treatments aim to reduce symptoms, improve quality of life, and support the journey towards recovery. It's important to remember that treatment is most effective when it is individualized to meet the unique needs of the person with co-occurring substance use and mental health disorders.

Seeking Help and Resources

Determining whether an individual is grappling with a drug problem or mental illness can be challenging. However, resources are available for those seeking help in addressing substance use and co-occurring mental disorders.

Accessing Mental Health Treatment Services

For individuals struggling with substance use and mental health disorders, reaching out to mental health treatment services is a recommended first step. The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) provides a National Helpline, accessible at 1-800-662-HELP (4357). SAMHSA's online treatment locator is another valuable tool for finding nearby treatment services. Additionally, help can be accessed by texting a ZIP code to 435748.

Additional resources exist for those in various situations, including those experiencing suicidal thoughts. It's important to remember that help is available, and it's never too late to start seeking treatment.

Clinical Trials for Substance Use and Mental Disorders

Clinical trials offer another avenue for individuals searching for new ways to prevent, detect, or treat substance use and co-occurring mental disorders. These studies aim to determine the effectiveness and safety of new tests or treatments. Interested individuals are encouraged to talk to their healthcare provider about clinical trials, potentially benefiting from new scientific knowledge and contributing to future medical breakthroughs.

The high rates of comorbidity between substance use disorders and mental illnesses, especially in youth, underline the need for ongoing research. Over 60 percent of adolescents in community-based substance use disorder treatment programs also meet diagnostic criteria for another mental illness.

Providing effective treatment for mental health disorders can potentially prevent the development of substance use disorders. For instance, treating children with ADHD effectively might prevent subsequent drug use and addiction.

In conclusion, while the intertwining of substance use disorders and mental illnesses can seem overwhelming, numerous resources and treatment options are available. By seeking help and exploring these options, individuals can embark on the path to recovery and improved wellbeing.