It is not entirely uncommon for certain maladies or disorders to come in pairs. Just as you would not be surprised to hear a diagnosis of heart disease following a diagnosis of diabetes, or to learn that someone with asthma also has severe allergies certain mental disorders can also go hand in hand with certain addictions. Among people who struggle with substance abuse and addictions, mental illness is a common cofactor. Drug addiction in and of itself qualifies as a mental illness because “addiction results in distinct brain changes and can disrupt a person’s “hierarchy of needs and desires” leading them to prioritize drug use above all else.” Research has shown that those people who are diagnosed with anxiety or mood disorders are almost two times as likely to also have a substance abuse problem than someone with no anxiety or mood disorders. These are the top five mental illness/drug addiction combinations on record today.
ALCOHOLISM AND ANTISOCIAL PERSONALITY DISORDER
People who binge drink on a regular basis are a stunning 21 times more likely to also suffer from antisocial personality disorder when compared to those people who do not binge drink. Both of these disorders have a tendency to develop early on in a person’s life. The alcoholism is extremely capable of making the underlying personality disorder come to light since alcohol lowers inhibitions and makes the drinker’s antisocial tendencies more obvious to those around them.
COCAINE ADDICTION AND ANXIETY DISORDERS
Cocaine produces a powerful, euphoric, almost invincible feeling in its users. Prolonged use, however, leaves addicts with symptoms that are more indicative of underlying anxiety disorders. Whether people with anxiety disorders are more prone to cocaine use, or cocaine use is the cause of these anxiety disorders is still not clear, but the two go hand in hand either way. People who suffer under this combination of illnesses show signs of violence, insomnia, paranoia, hallucinations, and suspiciousness. The major argument for cocaine being the actual cause of the anxiety issues is that in people who have spent a prolonged time in recovery display a remarkable reduction in their anxiety symptoms without the disorder being given any specific treatment.
OPIOID ADDICTION AND POST TRAUMATIC STRESS DISORDER (PTSD)
Post-traumatic stress disorder can be caused by any number of things. Tragic events such as war, rape, watching the death of a loved one, and physical abuse all leave scars on people that take a long time to heal properly if they heal at all. Opioids produce a euphoric sense of calm and peace inside the user, effectively combating the backlash of PTSD.
OPIOID ADDICTION AND DEPRESSION
This duo is another example of the drug bringing about the mental illness. The overwhelmingly pleasant feeling that heroin produces comes from the overstimulation of dopamine or “feel good” receptors in the brain. Over time, unfortunately, these receptors can burn out from overuse and fail to produce even the basic amount of dopamine required by the user’s brain to simply feel normal. This inability to produce the chemical that allows you to feel happiness leads to depression in the drug user. Treatment of the heroin addiction will also most likely fix the underlying issue of depression as well.
In order to diagnose and properly treat these dual disorders, you or your loved one need the services of a highly skilled, properly trained medical staff. Whether you chose our detox program or our residential treatment program, our staff at Asana Recovery is capable of providing you with not only the drug rehabilitation that you need but are capable of treating any underlying mental disorders as well. Our goal is to get you back to 100% physical and mental health. Visit our website or give us a call and chat with a counselor today.
