Years of substance abuse damage physical health — that’s no mystery. Scientific reports document it. Magazine articles, billboards, movies, and TV shows portray it constantly. But physical health tells only part of the story. Addiction also affects mental health, both through the substance itself and through the residual issues addiction creates.
Mental Illness and Addictive Tendencies
Substance abuse clearly harms mental health, but the reverse holds too. People with preexisting mental health disorders show a high correlation with alcohol and drug abuse. Studies reveal significant relationships between substance abuse and anxiety disorders, including panic attacks, PTSD, and general anxiety disorder. In fact, roughly one in four patients diagnosed with a serious mental illness also struggles with drug abuse.
Isolation and Addiction
Heavy drug dependence often worries friends and family. To avoid judgment or pressure to enter rehab, many people struggling with addiction pull away from their close circle. This isolation breeds helplessness and loneliness, which can cripple mental health. Together, these emotions create negative thought patterns that make recovery feel impossible.
Reach Out
Addiction alone can feel like a mountainous battle. Pair it with severe mental illness, and that battle can feel insurmountable. People already fighting depression often struggle to find the energy to take this on. If you’re facing both a preexisting mental health condition and addiction, you’ll benefit most from a counselor experienced in dual diagnosis. California Recovery Center offers dual diagnosis counseling designed for exactly this challenge. Ready to start your recovery? Contact us today at (866) 864-1986.
