essay on drug abuse and mental health

Essay on Drug Abuse

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Essay on Drug Abuse in 150 words

Essay on drug abuse in 250-300 words, essay on drug abuse in 500-1000 words.

Drug abuse is a global issue that poses serious risks to individuals and society. It involves the harmful and excessive use of drugs, leading to physical and mental health problems. Drug abuse can result in addiction, organ damage, cognitive impairment, and social and economic difficulties. Prevention efforts should focus on education, raising awareness about the dangers of drug abuse, and promoting healthy lifestyles. Access to quality healthcare and addiction treatment services is crucial for recovery. Strengthening law enforcement measures against drug trafficking is necessary to address the supply side of the problem. Creating supportive environments and opportunities for positive engagement can help prevent drug abuse. By taking collective action, we can combat drug abuse and build healthier communities.

Drug abuse is a growing global concern that poses significant risks to individuals, families, and communities. It refers to the excessive and harmful use of drugs, both legal and illegal, that have negative effects on physical and mental health.

Drug abuse has severe consequences for individuals and society. Physically, drug abuse can lead to addiction, damage vital organs, and increase the risk of overdose. Mentally, it can cause cognitive impairment, and psychological disorders, and deteriorate overall well-being. Additionally, drug abuse often leads to social and economic problems, such as strained relationships, loss of employment, and criminal activities.

Preventing drug abuse requires a multi-faceted approach. Education and awareness programs play a crucial role in informing individuals about the dangers of drug abuse and promoting healthy lifestyle choices. Access to quality healthcare and addiction treatment services is vital to help individuals recover from substance abuse. Strengthening law enforcement efforts to curb drug trafficking and promoting international cooperation is also essential to address the supply side of the issue.

Community support and a nurturing environment are critical in preventing drug abuse. Creating opportunities for individuals, especially young people, to engage in positive activities and providing social support systems can serve as protective factors against drug abuse.

In conclusion, drug abuse is a significant societal problem with detrimental effects on individuals and communities. It requires a comprehensive approach involving education, prevention, treatment, and enforcement. By addressing the root causes, raising awareness, and providing support to those affected, we can combat drug abuse and create a healthier and safer society for all.

Title: Drug Abuse – A Global Crisis Demanding Urgent Action

Introduction :

Drug abuse is a pressing global issue that poses significant risks to individuals, families, and communities. It refers to the excessive and harmful use of drugs, both legal and illegal, that have detrimental effects on physical and mental health. This essay explores the causes and consequences of drug abuse, the social and economic impact, prevention and treatment strategies, and the importance of raising awareness and fostering supportive communities in addressing this crisis.

Causes and Factors Contributing to Drug Abuse

Several factors contribute to drug abuse. Genetic predisposition, peer pressure, stress, trauma, and environmental influences play a role in initiating substance use. The availability and accessibility of drugs, as well as societal norms and cultural acceptance, also influence drug abuse patterns. Additionally, underlying mental health issues and co-occurring disorders can drive individuals to self-medicate with drugs.

Consequences of Drug Abuse

Drug abuse has devastating consequences on individuals and society. Physically, drug abuse can lead to addiction, tolerance, and withdrawal symptoms. Substance abuse affects vital organs, impairs cognitive function, and increases the risk of accidents and injuries. Mental health disorders, such as depression, anxiety, and psychosis, are often associated with drug abuse. Substance abuse also takes a toll on relationships, leading to strained family dynamics, social isolation, and financial instability. The social and economic costs of drug abuse include increased healthcare expenses, decreased productivity, and the burden on criminal justice systems.

Prevention and Education

Preventing drug abuse requires a comprehensive and multi-faceted approach. Education and awareness programs are essential in schools, communities, and the media to inform individuals about the risks and consequences of drug abuse. Promoting healthy coping mechanisms, stress management skills, and decision-making abilities can empower individuals to resist peer pressure and make informed choices. Early intervention programs that identify at-risk individuals and provide support and resources are crucial in preventing substance abuse.

Treatment and Recovery

Access to quality healthcare and evidence-based addiction treatment is vital in addressing drug abuse. Treatment options include detoxification, counseling, behavioral therapies, and medication-assisted treatments. Rehabilitation centers, support groups, and outpatient programs provide a continuum of care for individuals seeking recovery. Holistic approaches, such as addressing co-occurring mental health disorders and promoting healthy lifestyles, contribute to successful long-term recovery. Support from family, friends, and communities plays a significant role in sustaining recovery and preventing relapse.

Law Enforcement and Drug Policies

Effective law enforcement efforts are necessary to disrupt drug trafficking and dismantle illicit drug networks. International cooperation and collaboration are crucial in combating the global drug trade. Additionally, drug policies should focus on a balanced approach that combines law enforcement with prevention, treatment, and harm reduction strategies. Shifting the emphasis from punitive measures toward prevention and rehabilitation can lead to more effective outcomes.

Creating Supportive Communities:

Fostering supportive communities is vital in addressing drug abuse. Communities should provide resources, social support networks, and opportunities for positive engagement. This includes promoting healthy recreational activities, providing vocational training, and creating safe spaces for individuals in recovery. Reducing the stigma associated with drug abuse and encouraging empathy and understanding are crucial to building a compassionate and supportive environment.

Conclusion :

Drug abuse remains a complex and multifaceted issue with far-reaching consequences. By addressing the causes, raising awareness, implementing preventive measures, providing quality treatment and support services, and fostering supportive communities, we can combat drug abuse and alleviate its impact. It requires collaboration and a collective effort from individuals, communities, governments, and organizations to build a society that is resilient against the scourge of drug abuse. Through education, prevention, treatment, and compassion, we can pave the way toward a healthier and drug-free future.

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The Effects of Drug Addiction on the Brain and Body

Signs of drug addiction, effects of drug addiction.

Drug addiction is a treatable, chronic medical disease that involves complex interactions between a person’s environment, brain circuits, genetics, and life experiences.

People with drug addictions continue to use drugs compulsively, despite the negative effects.

Substance abuse has many potential consequences, including overdose and death. Learn about the effects of drug addiction on the mind and body and treatment options that can help.

Verywell / Theresa Chiechi

Drug Abuse vs. Drug Addiction

While the terms “drug abuse” and “drug addiction” are often used interchangeably, they're different. Someone who abuses drugs uses a substance too much, too frequently, or in otherwise unhealthy ways. However, they ultimately have control over their substance use.

Someone with a drug addiction uses drugs in a way that affects many parts of their life and causes major disruptions. They can't stop using drugs, even if they want to.

The signs of drug abuse and addiction include changes in behavior, personality, and physical appearance. If you’re concerned about a loved one’s substance use, here are some of the red flags to watch out for:

• Changes in school or work performance
• Secretiveness 
• Relationship problems
• Risk-taking behavior
• Legal problems
• Aggression 
• Mood swings
• Changes in hobbies or friends
• Sudden weight loss or gain
• Unexplained odors on the body or clothing

Drug Addiction in Men and Women

Men and women are equally likely to develop drug addictions. However, men are more likely than women to use illicit drugs, die from a drug overdose, and visit an emergency room for addiction-related health reasons. Women are more susceptible to intense cravings and repeated relapses.

People can become addicted to any psychoactive ("mind-altering") substance. Common addictive substances include alcohol , tobacco ( nicotine ), stimulants, hallucinogens, and opioids .

Many of the effects of drug addiction are similar, no matter what substance someone uses. The following are some of the most common effects of drug addiction.

Effects of Drug Addiction on the Body

Drug addiction can lead to a variety of physical consequences ranging in seriousness from drowsiness to organ damage and death:

• Shallow breathing
• Elevated body temperature
• Rapid heart rate
• Increased blood pressure
• Impaired coordination and slurred speech
• Decreased or increased appetite
• Tooth decay
• Skin damage
• Sexual dysfunction
• Infertility
• Kidney damage
• Liver damage and cirrhosis
• Various forms of cancer
• Cardiovascular problems
• Lung problems
• Overdose and death

If left untreated drug addiction can lead to serious, life-altering effects on the body.

Dependence and withdrawal also affect the body:

• Physical dependence : Refers to the reliance on a substance to function day to day. People can become physically dependent on a substance fairly quickly. Dependence does not always mean someone is addicted, but the longer someone uses drugs, the more likely their dependency is to become an addiction.
• Withdrawal : When someone with a dependence stops using a drug, they can experience withdrawal symptoms like excessive sweating, tremors, panic, difficulty breathing, fatigue , irritability, and flu-like symptoms.

Overdose Deaths in the United States

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), over 100,000 people in the U.S. died from a drug overdose in 2021.

Effects of Drug Addiction on the Brain

All basic functions in the body are regulated by the brain. But, more than that, your brain is who you are. It controls how you interpret and respond to life experiences and the ways you behave as a result of undergoing those experiences.

Drugs alter important areas of the brain. When someone continues to use drugs, their health can deteriorate both psychologically and neurologically.

Some of the most common mental effects of drug addiction are:

• Cognitive decline
• Memory loss
• Mood changes and paranoia
• Poor self/impulse control
• Disruption to areas of the brain controlling basic functions (heart rate, breathing, sleep, etc.)

Effects of Drug Addiction on Behavior

Psychoactive substances affect the parts of the brain that involve reward, pleasure, and risk. They produce a sense of euphoria and well-being by flooding the brain with dopamine .

This leads people to compulsively use drugs in search of another euphoric “high.” The consequences of these neurological changes can be either temporary or permanent. 

• Difficulty concentrating
• Irritability 
• Angry outbursts
• Lack of inhibition 
• Decreased pleasure/enjoyment in daily life (e.g., eating, socializing, and sex)
• Hallucinations

Help Someone With Drug Addiction

If you suspect that a loved one is experiencing drug addiction, address your concerns honestly, non-confrontationally, and without judgment. Focus on building trust and maintaining an open line of communication while setting healthy boundaries to keep yourself and others safe. If you need help, contact the SAMHSA National Helpline at 1-800-662-4357.

Effects of Drug Addiction on an Unborn Child

Drug addiction during pregnancy can cause serious negative outcomes for both mother and child, including:

• Preterm birth
• Maternal mortality

Drug addiction during pregnancy can lead to neonatal abstinence syndrome (NAS) . Essentially, the baby goes into withdrawal after birth. Symptoms of NAS differ depending on which drug has been used but can include:

• Excessive crying
• Sleeping and feeding issues

Children exposed to drugs before birth may go on to develop issues with behavior, attention, and thinking. It's unclear whether prenatal drug exposure continues to affect behavior and the brain beyond adolescence.  

While there is no single “cure” for drug addiction, there are ways to treat it. Treatment can help you control your addiction and stay drug-free. The primary methods of treating drug addiction include:

• Psychotherapy : Psychotherapy, such as cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) or family therapy , can help someone with a drug addiction develop healthier ways of thinking and behaving.
• Behavioral therapy : Common behavioral therapies for drug addiction include motivational enhancement therapy (MET) and contingency management (CM). These therapy approaches build coping skills and provide positive reinforcement.
• Medication : Certain prescribed medications help to ease withdrawal symptoms. Some examples are naltrexone (for alcohol), bupropion (for nicotine), and methadone (for opioids).
• Hospitalization : Some people with drug addiction might need to be hospitalized to detox from a substance before beginning long-term treatment.
• Support groups : Peer support and self-help groups, such as 12-step programs like Alcoholics Anonymous, can help people with drug addictions find support, resources, and accountability.

A combination of medication and behavioral therapy has been found to have the highest success rates in preventing relapse and promoting recovery. Forming an individualized treatment plan with your healthcare provider's help is likely to be the most effective approach.

Drug addiction is a complex, chronic medical disease that causes someone to compulsively use psychoactive substances despite the negative consequences.

Some effects of drug abuse and addiction include changes in appetite, mood, and sleep patterns. More serious health issues such as cognitive decline, major organ damage, overdose, and death are also risks. Addiction to drugs while pregnant can lead to serious outcomes for both mother and child.

Treatment for drug addiction may involve psychotherapy , medication, hospitalization, support groups, or a combination.

If you or someone you know is experiencing substance abuse or addiction, contact the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) National Helpline at 1-800-662-4357.

American Society of Addiction Medicine. Definition of addiction .

HelpGuide.org. Drug Abuse and Addiction .

Tennessee Department of Mental Health & Substance Abuse Services. Warning signs of drug abuse .

National Institute on Drug Abuse. Sex and gender differences in substance use .

Cleveland Clinic. Drug addiction .

National Institute on Drug Abuse. Drugs, Brains, and Behavior: The Science of Addiction Drugs and the Brain .

American Heart Association. Illegal Drugs and Heart Disease .

American Addiction Centers. Get the facts on substance abuse .

Szalavitz M, Rigg KK, Wakeman SE. Drug dependence is not addiction-and it matters . Ann Med . 2021;53(1):1989-1992. doi:10.1080/07853890.2021.1995623

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Drug overdose deaths in the U.S. top 100,000 annually .

American Psychological Association. Cognition is central to drug addiction .

National Institute on Drug Abuse. Understanding Drug Use and Addiction DrugFacts .

MedlinePlus. Neonatal abstinence syndrome .

National Institute on Drug Abuse. Treatment and recovery .

Grella CE, Stein JA.  Remission from substance dependence: differences between individuals in a general population longitudinal survey who do and do not seek help . Drug and Alcohol Dependence.  2013;133(1):146-153. doi:10.1016/j.drugalcdep.2013.05.019

By Laura Dorwart Dr. Dorwart has a Ph.D. from UC San Diego and is a health journalist interested in mental health, pregnancy, and disability rights.

• Open access
• Published: 24 June 2020

Mental health problems among young people in substance abuse treatment in Sweden

• Torkel Richert   ORCID: orcid.org/0000-0003-0653-0849 1 ,
• Mats Anderberg 2 &
• Mikael Dahlberg 2  

Substance Abuse Treatment, Prevention, and Policy volume  15 , Article number:  43 ( 2020 ) Cite this article

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Young people with substance use problems face a high risk of co-occurring mental health problems, something that may involve a more difficult life situation, social problems as well as worse treatment outcomes. The aim of this study is to analyse self-reported mental health problems among young people receiving outpatient treatment for substance use problems in Sweden. We explore what types of mental health problems are more or less predominant, and whether there are significant differences between boys and girls. In addition, we analyse how various mental health problems covary with indicators of substance abuse severity.

The study is based on structured interviews with 1970 young people enrolled at outpatient clinics in 11 Swedish cities. The data was analysed through frequency- and averages-calculations, Chi-square tests and multivariate logistic regression analyses.

Self-reported mental health problems were common among the young people in the study. A relatively large percentage of the total group (34–54%) reported problems such as concentration difficulties, sleeping difficulties, anxiety and depression. At the same time, many of the young people did not report any symptoms and only a small group, about 20%, reported diagnosed mental health disorders. The results show substantial gender differences, with girls reporting significantly higher levels of mental health problems.

Multivariate logistic regression analyses demonstrated significant associations between severity of drug use problems and anxiety, concentration difficulties, aggression, hallucinations and mental stress caused by experiences of trauma.

Conclusions

Treatment needs are diverse within this group of young people who use drugs. Since girls report higher levels of all mental health problems, and a larger burden of psychosocial risk factors than boys, they are likely to require more comprehensive treatment interventions. The link between more severe drug problems and mental health problems points to the importance of exploring this relationship in treatment. A multidisciplinary approach, in which co-occurring problems can be addressed simultaneously, may be the best treatment form for many young people with drug problems.

Introduction

The majority of young people with drug and alcohol problems suffer from concurrent mental health problems, referred to as co-occurring disorders or comorbidity [ 1 , 2 , 3 , 4 ]. Externalizing disorders such as Conduct Disorder (CD) and Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) appear to be the most common mental health problems, but internalizing disorders such as depression, dysthymia and anxiety also commonly occur [ 5 ]. Boys are usually over-represented with respect to externalizing disorders, while the opposite holds true for internalizing disorders [ 6 , 7 ], even though some studies report equal gender distribution [ 1 , 5 ].

Most studies show that young people with co-occurring problems have more extensive drug problems, higher levels of social problems and criminality, as well as worse treatment outcomes and greater risk of relapse, compared with young people with substance use problems alone [ 1 , 2 , 3 , 4 , 8 , 9 , 10 , 11 , 12 ].

On the other hand, there are also studies demonstrating that a relatively large proportion of adolescents with substance use problems do not report any mental disorders or symptoms at initiation of treatment [ 10 , 13 , 14 ], and studies showing minor differences between young people with and without mental health problems with respect to treatment involvement, dropout rate and treatment outcome [ 15 , 16 , 17 , 18 , 19 ].

Few Swedish studies have addressed the association between drug use and mental health problems among young people. This despite a recent trend with an increased prevalence of mental health problems among young people, and a development with a growing number of young people being diagnosed with, and treated for drug use problems [ 20 , 21 ].

The Swedish studies that have been conducted – mainly based on adolescents in inpatient or emergency care – show that the vast majority of young people have mental health problems prior to onset of drug use, and that as many as 90% demonstrate co-occurring disorders [ 22 ]. There is little knowledge regarding mental health problems among broader groups of young people who use drugs in Sweden. There is also a lack of research on how different types of mental health problems may be linked to drug use severity among young people – this applies to Swedish research as well as to research on young people in general.

The aim of this article is to study self-reported occurrence of mental health problems among young people receiving outpatient treatment for substance use problems. We explore what types of mental health problems and social problems are more or less predominant, and whether there are significant differences in prevalence between boys and girls. In addition, we analyse how various mental health problems covary with indicators of substance abuse severity such as early onset of use, high frequency of use and poly drug use.

Occurrence of mental health problems among young people in substance abuse treatment

As stated earlier, co-occurring mental health problems are relatively common among young people with drug and alcohol problems, even though such occurrence may demonstrate large variations [ 23 , 24 ]. For example, several research reviews state that 50% to 90% of young people with drug and alcohol problems also have extensive mental health problems [ 1 , 2 , 3 , 5 , 12 , 23 , 24 , 25 , 26 ].

Studies involving inpatient subjects generally demonstrate higher prevalence of mental health problems compared with studies on young people treated in outpatient or community-based programmes [ 1 , 5 , 7 , 11 , 27 , 28 ]. In one Swedish study on young people enrolled at an emergency care center, 90% of girls and 81% of boys met the criteria for at least one psychiatric disorder in addition to their substance use problems [ 23 ]. Another Swedish study of young people receiving outpatient care for drug problems showed that 64% met the criteria for a psychiatric diagnosis [ 29 ]. An Australian study with a broad selection of young people in different types of treatment for substance use problems found that only one third had co-occurring mental health problems [ 14 ].

A research review by Couwenbergh and colleagues [ 5 ] concluded that externalizing disorders such as CD and ADHD are the most frequently found co-occurring psychiatric disorders among young people with substance use problems, followed by internalizing disorders such as depression or dysthymia and anxiety. However, the rate of various disorders varies greatly between different studies: 24% to 82% for CD, 3% to 48% for depression/dysthymia, 1% to 38% for anxiety disorders, 3% to 38% for ADHD and 10% to 12% for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

Several studies suggests that it is common for young people with drug and alcohol problems to have multiple co-occurring psychiatric diagnoses when in treatment [ 9 , 11 , 18 , 30 ], and that the occurrence of problems varies with age, co-occurring problems being more common among people in their late teens or early adulthood [ 19 , 31 ].

In summary, prior research points to great variation in levels of co-occurring mental health problems among young people in treatment for drug and alcohol problems, as well as what types of mental disorders occur most frequently. The variation found in the different studies may have several explanations. These include differences in selection criteria, types of care, assessment methodology, diagnostic tools, diagnostic systems and timeframes during which the conditions occur (e.g., the past month, past year, any time in life), which collectively make comparisons between different studies and contexts difficult.

Associations between psychiatric disorders and severity of substance use problems

Only a few studies have investigated associations between various psychiatric disorders and indicators of severity of drug use problems among young people.

A study from Australia found that weakly or more frequent cannabis use in teenagers predicted an approximately twofold increase in risk for later depression and anxiety. In contrast, depression and anxiety in teenagers predicted neither later weekly nor daily cannabis use. Daily use in young women was associated with an over fivefold increase in the odds of reporting a state of depression and anxiety after adjustment for intercurrent use of other substances [ 32 ]. Similarly, a study on undergraduate students in the US found frequent marijuana use to be associated with depression and other substance use and alcohol-related negative outcomes [ 33 ].

Early onset of cannabis use has been associated with higher rates of later substance use, juvenile offending, mental health problems, unemployment and school dropout [ 34 ].

Results from a longitudinal study from substance use treatment facilities in Norway showed a co-occurrence between poly-drug use and mental distress. Mental distress increased both in magnitude and over time with the number of drugs used. The authors conclude that use of multiple drugs and mental distress appears strongly co-related over time [ 35 ].

There are various theories about the causal relationship between mental health problems and drug problems. According to several researchers, psychiatric problems usually precede drug and alcohol problems [ 12 , 36 , 37 , 38 ]. This can for instance be explained by the drugs serving as a self-medicating function by alleviating stress and other unpleasant emotions [ 39 ]. However, the link between mental health problems and drug use cannot be explained solely on the basis of self-medication, since young people primarily state other reasons for using drugs [ 40 , 41 , 42 ]. The relationship between the two conditions can also be reversed, where drug and alcohol use increase the risk of mental health problems [ 32 , 43 , 44 ] . Another possible explanation is that underlying factors, such as difficult childhood circumstances or family problems may be the cause of both [ 4 , 45 , 46 ]. Mental health problems and substance abuse problems may also be intertwined and develop simultaneously over time. Finally, substance abuse and mental health problems may be mutually exclusive and coexist without any link [ 3 , 32 , 40 ]. It can be concluded that the association between drug and alcohol use problems and mental disorders is strong but extremely complex [ 25 ].

Materials and methods

Setting and sample.

The study is based on structured interviews with young people receiving treatment for drug and alcohol problems. Data were gathered from specialized outpatient clinics for young people (13–21 years of age) with substance use problems in 11 Swedish cities. The participating cities are part of a researcher-practitioner collaboration network focusing on knowledge development in outpatient treatment for the present target group. The participating clinics represent Sweden’s three largest cities and eight additional cities around the country. The basic characteristics of the current sample are consistent with previous Swedish studies on the target group in outpatient treatment [ 13 ]. The centers, usually referred to as Maria clinics, are carried out as a collaboration between the social services and the healthcare system. All of the clinics offer various types of treatment for substance use problems, as well as counselling and support for young people and their families. Average length of care is 4–6 months. Services offered by all clinics include psychosocial and medical assessment with a focus on substance use problems, drug testing, individual or family counselling, and manual-based treatment programmes. Personnel include social workers, nurses, psychologists and doctors [ 13 ].

Between 2014 and 2016, 2099 young people begun outpatient treatment for substance abuse problems at the participating Maria clinics. All young people initiating treatment are asked to participate in an enrolment interview that is used for both treatment and research purposes. Of the total group, 129 individuals were excluded in the study because they did not want to participate or because the information gathered was incomplete. The study is based on a total of 1970 young people, of whom 27% were girls and 73% boys. The average age was 17.6 years for both boys and girls. 28% of the young people were either born outside of Sweden or have two parents born outside Sweden. This means that the sample, in this respect, is representative for young people in Sweden’s larger cities.

Instruments and materials

UngDOK is a structured interview that was developed specifically for young people with various types of drug and alcohol problems. The primary purpose of the interview is to identify the problems, needs and current social situation of young people in order to arrive at the appropriate assessment, plan and implementation of treatment. The information gathered can also serve as a basis for follow-up and evaluation of the interventions and outcomes of the various local clinics. In a reliability and validation study, the quality of the UngDOK interview method was found to be satisfactory [ 47 ].

The interviews were conducted by the therapists at the time of admission. It contains a total of 75 questions covering the following ten aspects of life: housing and financial support, occupation, treatment history, criminality, childhood environment, exposure to violence, family and relationships, physical health, mental health, as well as alcohol and drug use.

The analysed variables describe individual characteristics regarding: social situation, drug and alcohol use, and mental health. The study only uses anonymized data, and permission for storage and processing of data for research purposes has been obtained from the research ethics committee at the National Board of Health and Welfare.

Variables and statistical analysis

Initially, the study group was categorized by gender and the variables included in the study regarding mental health problems were analysed for gender differences. The data was processed and analysed by SPSS Statistics 24 software and Chi 2 and t-tests were used for analysing levels of significance. To investigate the relationship between various mental health problems and drug use, multivariate logistic regression analysis with three models was carried out. As dependent variables, we used the following dichotomized variables that indicate severity of drug use: high frequency of use, i.e. two–three days a week or more for the primary drug (model 1), early onset of substance use, i.e. age 12 or younger for alcohol intoxication and age 13 or younger for drugs use (model 2), and presence of poly drug use, i.e. regular use of two or more drugs during the last three months (model 3). The independent variables in all three analysis models include age and gender, as well as self-reported mental health problems over the past 30 days: depression, anxiety, concentration difficulties, aggressive behaviour, suicidal thoughts, hallucinations, eating disorders, self-harming behaviour, and psychological stress from traumatic events (e.g. witnessed or being subjected to violence or sexual abuse). The results of these analyses are reported using odds ratios and significance levels. The explained variance for each model is presented using Cox & Snell and Nagelkerke.

Table  1 shows the childhood environment and social situation of the young people, as well as their self-reported drug and alcohol use at treatment initiation.

The majority of the young people live with their parents, are engaged in studies, traineeship, or work. However, most have or have had extensive difficulties in school that have impacted their attendance, satisfaction and performance. The percentage of girls with school problems is significantly greater than the percentages of boys.

About one third of the young people have grown up under difficult circumstances. Here too significant gender differences are found, where girls, to a much greater degree than boys, have experienced financial constraints, substance use problems, mental health problems and violence in their childhood environment.

A significant higher proportion of boys have been arrested by police or convicted of various crimes. Girls, however, report that they have been subjected to physical, mental and sexual violence or assault to a greater degree. An estimated two thirds of both boys and girls associate with friends who commit crimes or use drugs.

A number of gender differences were found regarding drug and alcohol use. For both genders, cannabis is the drug that causes the greatest problem or is the underlying reason for initiation of care, even though the percentage of boys that report this is significantly larger than the percentage of girls. The opposite gender pattern is seen with alcohol and other drugs. Girls initiate their primary drug somewhat earlier than boys and they also use that drug more often than boys. Gender differences are also reflected in alcohol use, where girls to a significant higher extent report risky alcohol consumption according to their AUDIT-C scores [ 48 ].

Table  2 shows that the most common self-reported mental health problems or disorders among young people over the past month are concentration difficulties, followed by sleeping difficulties, anxiety, depression, traumatic life events and problems controlling aggressive behaviour. The ranking is essentially similar for both boys and girls, although girls consistently report significantly higher levels.

Mental health problems such as suicidal thoughts, suicide attempts, hallucinations, eating disorders and self-harming behaviour are much less commonly reported (10% or less for the total group). These problems are however two to three times more common among the girls.

Almost half of the girls and a quarter of the boys have experienced a serious traumatic event or accident from which they have not yet psychologically recovered.

One-fifth of the young people state that they have an ongoing contact with psychiatry. About the same proportion state that they have received prescription medication for a psychiatric disorder or functional impairment and that they have a neuropsychiatric diagnosis. Girls report being in contact with psychiatric care or taking medication to a significantly larger extent, while no significant gender differences was found with respect to neuropsychiatric diagnosis.

Table  3 shows how frequency of drug use, age at onset of drug use, and occurrence of poly drug use covary with nine self-perceived mental health problems, as well as with age and gender.

Young people with a high frequency of drug use (two–three days a week or more) were significantly more likely to report anxiety (OR = 1.719), concentration difficulties (OR = 1.408), and difficulty in controlling aggressive behaviour (OR = 1.381), in comparison with young people with a low frequency of drug use. High frequent users were also significantly more likely to be older (OR = 1.264).

Young people with early onset of drug use were significantly more likely to report concentration difficulties (OR = 1.555), and difficulty in controlling aggressive behaviour (OR = 1.576), in comparison with those not reporting early onset of drug use. People with an early onset of drug use were significantly less likely to be older (OR = 0.857).

Young people with poly drug use were significantly more likely to report anxiety (OR = 1.358), concentration difficulties (OR = 1.434), hallucinations (OR = 1.652) and traumatic life events (OR = 1.302) in comparison with those not reporting poly drug use. People with poly drug use were also significantly more likely to be older (OR = 1.296).

The aim of this study was to analyse self-reported mental health problems among young people receiving outpatient treatment for substance use problems in Sweden. We explore what types of mental health problems are more or less predominant, how various mental health problems covary with indicators of substance abuse severity, as well as gender differences related to drug use and mental health problems.

The study shows that the young people who initiate outpatient treatment at Maria clinics for drug and alcohol problems are characterized by both heterogeneity and pronounced differences between boys and girls. Overall, the most common self-reported mental health problems among the young people are concentration difficulties, followed by sleep disturbances, anxiety, depression, traumatic experiences and difficulties managing anger and violent behaviour. This ranking is largely in line with many other studies [ 5 ]. Although the list of problems is ranked similarly by gender, the percentage of girls with various mental health problems is consistently higher than boys, sometimes many times higher.

A relatively large percentage (34–54%) of the total group report self-assessed problems such as depression, anxiety and concentration difficulties. These findings are in line with current descriptions of health among Swedish young people in general, where a growing number of boys and girls report psychosomatic symptoms and stress-related mental health problems [ 20 ]. The increase in mental health problems encompasses broad groups of young people in Sweden, which indicate that the underlying causes are located in living conditions and environments that are common to most young people. The Public Health Agency of Sweden [ 20 ] has highlighted inadequacies in the school system and the increasing demands for performance that many young people experience, as well as concerns about entering into adult life and the future demands of the labor market as the primary factors underlying this trend. The fact that young people spend more time on social media has also been highlighted as a possible risk factor. Another possible explanation is that the social stigma of mental illness has decreased, something that can lead to more young people reflecting on and reporting mental health problems, as well as seeking help for these problems to a higher extent [ 20 ]. Social norms that place a premium on success and perfection, when combined with a weak social position in relation to peers, has also been shown to generate stress-related mental health problems among young people in upper secondary school [ 49 ].

A smaller but still significant group of the young people (about 20–30%), report problems that may indicate more serious mental health and drug use problems. These include, among other things, being exposed to a serious traumatic event, having a diagnosed neuropsychiatric disorder, being in psychiatric treatment, taking prescription medications for specific mental health problems, having a poly drug use, and prior experience of substance abuse treatment. A small percentage of the young people (2–10%) reported problems such as hallucinations, eating disorders, self-harming behaviour, suicidal thoughts and suicide attempts, which may indicate severe or long-lasting psychiatric conditions.

However, the majority of the young people (about 70–80%) do not show signs of having severe mental health problems. Many of these young people are from relatively stable home environments and are well-integrated in society with a satisfactory school career, regular leisure activities and positive relationships with their parents [ 13 ]. They have less severe alcohol and drug problems which likely stem from more experimental or social drug use motivated by curiosity or sporadic use with friends [ 50 ]. The findings of this study, in this respect, contradict several earlier studies that concluded that it is the rule rather than the exception that young people with drug and alcohol problems have co-occurring mental health problems [ 1 , 2 , 3 , 5 , 12 , 22 ]. This difference can be explained in part by the different target groups that have been studied: young people in outpatient care tend to be a more heterogeneous group, while those recruited from inpatient care or emergency care usually have more extensive social and mental health problems [ 1 , 5 , 7 , 11 , 27 ].

What specific mental health problems are related to more severe substance use problems? The study results suggest a strong link between concentration difficulties and severity of drug use problems. High frequency of use, early onset of drug use, as well as poly drug use, were associated with higher likelihood of reporting concentration difficulties. Concentration difficulties may be a cause of early onset of drug use for some adolescents and a consequence of extensive drug use for others. According to our findings, anxiety problems appear to be clearly linked with poly drug use and frequent drug use, but not to early onset of use. Anxiety problems in adolescence have been shown to predict alcohol use problems in young adulthood [ 46 ]. Regarding cannabis, the opposite appears to be true: cannabis use in adolescence can increase the risk of anxiety and depression later in life [ 32 , 46 , 51 ]. Aggressive behaviour, which may be linked to the condition often referred to as conduct disorder, was mainly associated with early onset of drug use. An association also suggested by several other studies [ 5 , 22 , 45 ]. In our study, hallucinations and psychological stress from traumatic events – which may be indications of more severe mental health problems – are only linked to poly drug use. According to a study by Harrison, Fulkerson & Beebe [ 52 ], young people with experiences of physical and sexual abuse reported high rates of poly drug use, initiated substance use earlier than their peers and gave more reasons for using, including use to cope with painful emotions. PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder), which can be a result of traumatic experiences such as abuse, has also been shown to increase the risk of developing substance use problems [ 46 , 53 ]. Furthermore, results from a longitudinal growth research study from substance use treatment facilities in Norway show that use of multiple drugs and mental distress are strongly co-related over time [ 35 ].

Several mental health problems such as depression, suicidal thoughts, eating disorders and self-harming behaviour did not show significant associations with either high frequency of use, early onset of drug use, or poly drug use. This finding suggests that young people with substance use problems may have co-occurring mental health problems without any clear link between the two [ 25 ]. However, these mental health problems are more common in the study group compared with young people in general [ 20 ]. This may in part be explained by the fact that the young people in the study, compared with young people in the general population at large, have more difficult childhood circumstances and a greater social vulnerability.

The explained variance in the three analysed models (Table 3 ) is relatively low (according to Cox & Snell and Nagelkerke), which suggests that a number of other factors are in play. One possible explanation is that a large number of social factors that could affect the relation between drug use and mental health are not included in the model, such as social relationships, social norms, peer pressure, school problems, and access to drugs.

The study findings show substantial gender differences, with a larger percentage of girls reporting both mental health problems and receiving psychiatric care and prescription medications for psychiatric disorders. The gender differences – with the exception of neuropsychiatric diagnoses – are significant for all reported conditions. The results are in line with several other studies on young drug users [ 14 , 54 , 55 , 56 ]. Clear gender differences in mental health problems are also found in Swedish young people in general. The proportion of young people reporting symptoms of mental health problems in Sweden has doubled over the past two decades. This trend is true for both boys and girls, but the prevalence is about twice as high for young girls [ 20 ]. Regarding drug problems, the differences between girls and boys have decreased in Sweden in recent decades. However, gender differences remain as the proportion of girls with drug problems is smaller than the proportion of boys, while girls generally report more severe drug problems [ 13 ].

Experiences of traumatic events, violence and physical abuse, which are more common among the girls in the study, can be one explanation for their higher level of mental health problems. It is also probable that some girls begin to use drugs or alcohol to alleviate or manage such painful experiences and the stress that they cause [ 57 , 58 , 59 , 60 ]. The girls in the study generally show somewhat earlier onset of drug use and more frequent use. However, the multivariate analyses did not point to any distinct gender differences, suggesting that the link between severity of substance use problems and various mental health problems holds regardless of gender.

There are some limitations to the study. The empirical material is based on self-reported data gathered from interviews at initiation of treatment. It is difficult to draw conclusions about causal relationships between mental health problems and substance use problems with this type of cross-sectional data. Consequently, the study is not based on established psychiatric diagnoses. However, the reliability of the screening instruments and assessment methodology in identifying and assessing mental health problems in children and young people is also generally weak, which may result in both under-reporting [ 4 ], and over-reporting of mental health problems [ 61 ]. Diagnoses are often re-classified, their criteria and boundaries change over time, and they are affected by societal developments [ 40 , 62 ].

Implications

Studying self-reported mental health problems in young people with drug and alcohol problems can yield important new knowledge. Greater knowledge of how various mental health, drug-related and social problems covary, can be of general value and may also be instrumental in developing and organising treatment interventions for the target group. Staff and managers at the Maria clinics can benefit from data about their target group at an aggregated level. This can provide guidance on which problems and combinations of problems are more or less common and thus what types of treatment efforts may need to be strengthened or prioritized. It is not unusual for individuals with both mental health problems and drug and alcohol problems to be passed from one care provider to the next without receiving relevant help for their co-occurring problems [ 5 ]. A multidisciplinary approach is far preferable, in which both conditions are addressed and concomitant treatment goals are formulated together with the young person. Integrated treatment for co-occurring problems has strong scientific support [ 2 ]. In this regard the Maria clinics represent a positive example of working with the target group, in which treatment for both conditions can be provided within one and the same service, such as psychosocial treatment combined with medication [ 25 ]. However, there is a risk that an increased focus on medical conditions may contribute to a psychiatrization and medicalization leading to the subordination of social issues in substance abuse treatment [ 63 ]. It is of great importance that these young people are also provided with the opportunity for social inclusion and support for meaningful employment and recreational activities to help them address both their drug use problems and mental health issues. This is obvious given that the majority of young people in the study have school problems and socialize with friends who commit crimes or use drugs.

Early onset of drug, frequent use and poly drug use were all significantly associated with increased likelihood of reporting various mental health problems, in particular anxiety, concentration difficulties and problems controlling aggressive behaviour. Poly drug use was also linked to experiences of hallucinations and traumatic life events. This points to the importance of screening for mental health problems when treating young people with drug use problems. It also points to the importance of exploring the specific roles or functions that drug use have for young people, especially how these functions may relate to traumatic events and different mental health problems.

Since girls have a larger burden of psychosocial risk factors than boys, they are also more likely to require more comprehensive and multidimensional treatment interventions that extend over a longer period [ 28 , 56 ]. It is especially important to consider difficult home environments and reported severe psychological problems from which many young people suffer. Past traumatic experiences also need to be considered and addressed in treatment, especially among girls, who are more likely to have had such experiences [ 56 , 64 , 65 ]. Since a large proportion of girls have previously been in psychiatric care, it should also be possible to identify such girls in order to offer more relevant support at an earlier stage.

In summary, the study shows that various forms of self-reported mental health problems are common among young people with drug and alcohol problems who begin outpatient treatment in Sweden. At the same time, many young people report that they do not have any symptoms and only a small percentage report documented psychiatric conditions. The need for support or treatment for mental health problems within this group is thus highly diverse, but should be analysed and assessed on a case-by-case basis. Since girls report higher levels of all mental health problems, and a larger burden of psychosocial risk factors than boys, they are likely to require more comprehensive treatment interventions. The link between the severity of drug problems and mental health problems points to the importance of highlighting and exploring this relationship when treating young people and specifically the role played by the drug use. A multidisciplinary approach, in which co-occurring problems can be addressed simultaneously may be the best treatment form for many young people with drug problems.

Additional studies are needed in this field. There is a need for studies that investigate different causal relationships between mental health problems and the severity of drug use problems. There is also a need for qualitative studies that focus on young people’s different motives for and experiences of drug use, and how these relate to mental health problems.

Availability of data and materials

The datasets used during the current study are available from the corresponding author on reasonable request.

Abbreviations

Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder

The Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test – Consumption

Conduct Disorder

Post-traumatic stress disorder

Statistical Package for the Social Sciences

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Richert, T., Anderberg, M. & Dahlberg, M. Mental health problems among young people in substance abuse treatment in Sweden. Subst Abuse Treat Prev Policy 15 , 43 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1186/s13011-020-00282-6

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Substance Abuse and Mental Illnesses

This essay will explore the link between substance abuse and mental illnesses. It will discuss how one can lead to or exacerbate the other, the challenges in treatment, and the importance of addressing both concurrently. Moreover, at PapersOwl, there are additional free essay samples connected to Addiction.

How it works

One of the world’s largest and most dangerous epidemics is the raging addiction to illegal drugs and substance abuse. A 2014 study showed that more than 21 million American citizens 12 years of age and older struggle with a substance use disorder. There are many different conceptions of what it means to have an addiction, and while everyone has the right to their own opinion, the true scientific definition of addiction is: “Addiction is a complex disease of the brain and the body that involves a compulsive use of one or more substances despite serious health and social consequences” (Center on Addiction).

Although addition can be defined, I believe that you can never truly understand the effects addiction has on the mind and body of an individual, until you personally experience it take over the life of someone you care or love. Many develop an addiction to a certain drug, to alter their minds. Being addicted to a drug, means that person has a grave dependence physically as well as pscyhologically, to that substance. The concept of addiction has been around for age, but just in the last 50-60 years experts have proven what addiction is and why it occurs. Often times addition it is said to be caused from a chemical imbalance in the brain, not allowing individuals to be able to regulate their manipulation of alcohol and/or drugs to a professionally prescribed dose. No one person in this world is the same therefore, there is no one specific way for addiction to begin. In some instances, as soon as an individual takes their first hit of a drug or sip of alcohol, they could potentially be addicted. Others could use the drug or alcohol occasionally for a period of time before a dependence is developed. The unknown, individualized reaction and addiction potential is what further complicates the issue.

The two most widely used and addictive, age-legal substances are alcohol and nicotine. However, illegal drugs are usually the most dangerous, since they are largely man made and can be tampered with at any stage of the manufacturing, distributing, or selling process. Often times, addiction starts out with prescription painkillers being given to individuals by their doctors, usually after a bad injury or surgery, for legitimate use. Users can then become dependent on the pills. When the time comes and the doctor stops prescribing them and cuts them off, it is often to late. In these situations, individuals are now addicted and still need the substance in their system, thus forcing them to turn to the “street drugs”, which are much more unknown and dangerous. The most common drug addicts use to replace prescription painkillers is heroin, because it is also a drug that triggers the brain’s opioid receptors and therefore radiates the same effect as the pain pills. When the opioid receptors are activated, it causes a decrease in pain, giving the individual an “out-of-body” sensation, and sends them into a state of euphoria. A study was taken in 2014 that showed around 586,000 Americans 11 years of age and older were able to be classified with a heroin use disorder. Unfortunately, 10,000 individuals lost their lives to fatal heroin overdose in that same year. Since 2014 the numbers of overdoses has continued to rise each year.

Addiction is most definitely a disease that can be cured, but it is not an easy process at all. The most efficient way to treat an addiction problem and prevent relapses is through a mixture of behavioral therapy and medication. The biggest hurdle is each recovery treatment has to be altered to cater to every different patient’s drug use patterns, their medical and psychiatric problems, as well as problems with their environment and social groups. Sadly, the recovery process and rehabilitation centers are not easily affordable, especially since in most cases most addicts are unemployed with little to no money, and oftentimes homeless. Another factor that makes addicts weary to get off the drugs is the withdrawal they go through. A few of the symptoms drug users will experience are flu like symptoms, depression, anxiety, insomnia, tremors, body aches, and even seizures. Depending on the type of drug, the method of drug use whether it be swallowing, smoking, snorting, or injecting, how long the individual has been using, and a few different other factors determines how severe the symptoms are and how long they will last. In some of the extreme cases certain symptoms can last up to several months.

Mental illness is another disease just like addiction, that is largely widespread and very common throughout the United States. It has been proven that roughly 54 million Americans endure some form of mental illness in any given year. “Mental illness is a disease that causes mild to severe disturbances in thought and/or behavior, resulting in an inability to cope with life’s ordinary demands and routines” (Mental Health America). There is not just one generic form of mental illness. Every single individual is different and each brain’s composition processes things differently. There are currently over 200 forms of mental illnesses and with those, everyone’s symptoms are always different. Like with everything, there are ones that are more common in a population, and others that are more extensive and unique. Some of the most common mental illnesses include depression, anxiety disorders, bipolar disorder, dementia, and schizophrenia. There is an abundance of factors that can cause an individual to develop a mental illness, and not just one incident will cause it. Mental disorders can be formed from an excessive amount of stress from a series of events or one specific event, environmental stresses, genetic factors, or biochemical imbalances.

Out of the handful of more common disorders, depression is the one illness that is the most common and diverse throughout the country. Even though it is very common, that does not take away from just how serious this disorder can be. Depression is a severe mood disorder, that will affect the way an individual thinks and feels. This disease also makes ordinary, day-to-day activities such as sleeping, getting out of bed, working, and even eating, much harder. Just like with the many different forms of mental illnesses, there is a number of different forms of depression. The different types include persistent depressive disorder, also known as dysthymia. This type of depression is described and diagnosed by a depressed mood that lasts for at least two years. Postpartum depression is periods of “full-blown major depression during pregnancy or after delivery” (National Institute of Mental Illness). This particular disorder makes it very challenging for new mothers to carry out their duties. Psychotic depression comes about when an individual is experiencing symptoms of a full-blown depression period along with a form of psychosis, “such as having disturbing false fixed beliefs (delusions) or hearing or seeing upsetting things that others cannot hear or see (hallucinations)” (National Institute of Mental Illness). Another form of depression is the seasonal affective disorder. This type of depression is diagnosed when the symptoms of depression activate during the winter months. This is usually caused by the decrease in natural light. For this type of depression, the symptoms will go away with the arrival of the spring and summer months, and will habitually come back every year. Although bipolar disorder is a different disease than depression, it is traditionally classified within the same list because “someone with bipolar disorder experiences episodes of extremely low moods that meet the criteria for major depression” (National Institute of Mental Illness). However, bipolar disorder also causes an individual to experience tremendously “high- euphoric or irritable- moods”. These moods are known as “mania” or “hypomania” for the less extreme cases.

Again, just like with addiction, mental illnesses can be treated and oftentimes, cured. Recovery will be most effective when an individual seeks treatment early on in the disease, and they must continue to put forth a strong will throughout the entire process of their own recovery. Every individual being so distinctively different is what makes our world so unique, however it also makes figuring out diseases like these and treatments that work that much harder, because no one treatment will work the same for every individual. But thankfully with so many recent advancements in our technology and medical techniques, professionals have been able to come up with numerous different treatments for any and every individual. One of the treatment processes is known as psychotherapy. This is a process that treats mental illness through therapy performed by trained mental health professionals. “Psychotherapy explores thoughts, feelings, and behaviors, and seeks to improve an individual’s well-being” (Mental Health America). It is believed that the most effective way to encourage recovery is through a combination of psychotherapy and medication. Using medications is another way to promote recovery of an individual’s mental state. However, medication alone can not fully cure a mental illness. This route is used more so to lessen one’s symptoms. A support group can also be utilized to offer support to a group of people that struggle with a mental disorder. There is Complementary and Alternative Medicines that can be used as well, but these are not usually linked with the standard care methods. However, these can be used in replace of standard health practices or at the same time. In some of the severe cases, certain individuals many have to be hospitalized. This allows the patient to be monitored closely, be correctly diagnosed, and be in the presence of trained professionals that can alter their medications and dosages when and if it is needed. Some other options that can be explored are brain stimulation therapies, that are typically used when other treatments are not successful. One of the most common is the electroconvulsive therapy (ECT). This specific procedure requires the individual to be put under general anesthesia, and then small electric currents are sent through the brain. In doing this, it actually triggers a brief seizure on purpose. The main purpose of this particular treatment is to “cause changes in brain chemistry that can quickly reverse symptoms of certain mental health conditions” (Mayo Clinic).

One of the largest debates is whether mental illnesses and substance abuse are connected. “The National Bureau of Economic Research (NBER) reports that there is a ‘definite connection between mental illness and the use of addictive substances’” (Dual Diagnosis.Org). It cannot be proven indefinitely that one of these diseases causes the other, but there are definite factors that “can contribute to the comorbidity between substance use disorders and mental illness” (National Institute on Drug Abuse). The first factor is the risk factors that lead to both substance abuse and mental illnesses. The two of these diseases have been proven to be caused by “overlapping factors such as genetic and epigenetic vulnerabilities, issues with similar areas of the brain, and environmental influences such as early exposure to stress or trauma” (National Institute on Drug Abuse). Another factor is the fact that “mental illnesses can contribute to drug use and addiction” (National Institute on Drug Abuse). This is because many individuals with a mental disorder tend to turn to drug use, to self-medicate. Lastly, it is said that drug use and addictions can lend a hand in the development of a mental illness. When drugs are used, it can alter some of the areas in the brain that certain mental disorders trigger as well. Continuing this use can cause a number of mental illnesses to fully emerge and take a toll on an individual’s physical and mental health. There have been multiple national surveys that have proven that about half of the individuals struggling with a mental illness at some point in their life, will battle a substance use disorder as well, and vice versa. In a community-based substance use disorder treatment program there is over 60 percent of adolescents that will meet the criteria for also having a mental illness. Today 38 percent of alcohol consumption, 44 percent of cocaine consumption, and 40 percent of cigarette consumption comes from patients suffering with a mental disorder. It is also believed that it is most common for drug use to start in adolescents, which is also when mental illness usually first appear.

In conclusion, both substance addictions and mental illnesses are equally as common, serious, and life-threatening. They both are unfortunately continuing to rise around the world and they are not being taken as serious as they should be. Everyone is entitled to their own opinions and while it is often believed that addiction and mental illness is all in your head, that has been scientifically proven to be incorrect. Both are very legitimate diseases and “even though everyone’s symptoms will be different, everyone matters and every single individual’s issues are just as valid as the next persons” (Christine Spencer). “An addiction and a mental illness is just as valid and serious as a cancer…all three are capable of ruining and often times ending lives” (Christine Spencer).

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Teen Drug and Alcohol Use Linked to Mental Health Distress

Substance use by adolescents may prove valuable in identifying the presence of underlying disorders, a new study suggests.

By Matt Richtel

Teenagers who use cannabis, alcohol and nicotine are more likely to have underlying psychiatric symptoms, and worse symptoms, than their peers who are not regularly using substances, new research has found.

The research, published Monday in JAMA Pediatrics , found that such substances are linked to an array of symptoms and conditions, including anxiety, depression, hyperactivity and suicidal ideation. These findings suggest that asking adolescents about substance use may provide a powerful screening tool when looking for underlying mental health issues, researchers said.

“Universally screening for psychiatric symptoms in the context of all types of substance use is what we think might be most important,” said Brenden Tervo-Clemmens, assistant professor of psychiatry at the University of Minnesota and lead author of the paper.

“All the symptoms of mental health we examined, be it depression, suicidal thoughts, ADHD, were elevated no matter what the substance was,” he added.

The Findings: Drug Use as Self-Medication

The paper found that the link between substance use and mental health existed even at low levels of drug and alcohol use. Dr. Tervo-Clemmens said that adolescents with low levels of substance use may be self-medicating and that their relatively modest substance use was not likely to be causing the underlying mental health challenges.

But the research also found that the most frequent and intensive users of the substances experienced the most severe mental health symptoms. In these instances, Dr. Tervo-Clemmens said, the adolescents may be worsening their symptoms even as they use substances to self-medicate.

Specifically, the study found that daily or near-daily use — but not weekly or monthly use — of substances was linked to a moderate increase in symptoms. Researchers described the connection as “dose dependent,” because the level of use was linked to the intensity of symptoms.

Background: Two Strong Data Sets

The strength of the study came from its use of two data sets that yielded similar findings.

One sample used survey data from 15,600 Massachusetts high school students with a median age of around 16. The second sample drew on similarly self-reported data from 17,000 respondents to the national Youth Risk Behavior Survey.

In both groups, the study’s authors noted, “alcohol, cannabis and nicotine use each had significant, moderate dose-dependent associations with worse psychiatric symptoms, including suicidal thoughts.”

Another key finding was that the link was present between multiple symptoms and between multiple substances. “It’s not just cannabis, it’s not just alcohol, it’s not just nicotine,” Dr. Tervo-Clemmens said. “It seems to be no matter the substance.”

What’s New: A Generational Change

Compared with prior generations, today’s adolescents are experiencing more mental health symptoms but a declining use of drugs and alcohol. Binge-drinking and cigarette smoking, in particular, have fallen sharply, affecting a smaller portion of the adolescent population.

These broad trends may support the idea that asking teenagers about substance use could be a way to screen for mental health challenges, Dr. Tervo-Clemmens said. That’s because the group of regular substance users is smaller than it once was and may be more closely linked to individuals who are self-medicating or otherwise dealing with mental health challenges.

Matt Richtel is a health and science reporter for The Times, based in Boulder, Colo. More about Matt Richtel

Home — Essay Samples — Nursing & Health — Mental Health — Connection Between Drug Abuse and Mental Health

Connection Between Drug Abuse and Mental Health

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Published: Oct 17, 2018

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Mental Health

• Many people with substance use disorders also have another mental illness, and vice versa. There are several potential reasons for a dual diagnosis. Common risk factors , including inherited characteristics, adverse social environments, trauma, and stress, can contribute to both mental illness and substance use problems.
• People with mental illnesses like depression, anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and many other psychiatric conditions are also more likely to use substances and to develop substance use disorders. People who experience anxiety, stress, depression, or pain may use drugs to try to feel better, especially if mental health care is not accessible.
• NIDA supports research to better understand the relationship between substance use disorders and other mental illnesses, and how to prevent both outcomes. NIDA also funds research, often working with other partners at the National Institutes of Health, on integrated treatments for substance use disorders in people with mental illness.

Latest from NIDA

Semaglutide associated with lower risk of suicidal ideations compared to other treatments prescribed for obesity or type 2 diabetes

The power of protective layers: Employers advancing whole-person health

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Find more resources on mental health and substance use disorders.

• Read about substance use and mental health on the website of the National Institute of Mental Health.
• Find mental health support and information resources at MentalHealth.gov .
• Read more about co-occurring disorders from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration.
• Interest in joining a research study? Clinical trials are research studies in human volunteers conducted to answer specific health questions. Answer a few simple questions and get contact information for NIDA clinical trials near you .

Mental Health and Drug Abuse

The manifestation of mental health and drug abuse has surfaced as an emergent social apprehension in contemporary Australia. Research studies have inferred a significant relationship between psychological maladies and substance dependence, whereby those with mental conditions display higher susceptibility towards drug addiction and vice versa (Saha et al., 2007; Kessler et al., 2011). One theory suggested is the concept of self-medication. As per Khantzian’s (1985) suggestion, people who experience mental health issues may employ drug usage as a way to heal themselves and alleviate their symptoms. Those afflicted by depression might use alcohol consumption as an escape plan for mitigating distressing feelings. At the same time, individuals with anxiety might find solace in benzodiazepines which can help regulate fear and panic-related behaviours or thoughts. This hypothesis garners further support from research studies demonstrating how those affected with psychological disorders have more significant tendencies towards substance abuse compared to healthy counterparts (Saha et al., 2007; Kessler et al., 2011).

Furthermore, it is feasible that persons detected with psychological infirmities turn to a substance used to cope with strains related to arduous life circumstances. The hypothesis regarding stress management has been identified and recorded in past scrutinies conducted by Wills et al.(1994). Instances of injury or maltreatment might prompt individuals into seeking relief through drug use as an outlet for managing the mental distress arising from such episodes. This supposition mentioned earlier obtains validation based on empirical research establishing an affirmative correlation linking psychopathology and probabilities of encountering stressful events compared to non-afflicted counterparts (Kessler et al., 2011). It is important to note that while self-medication and stress-coping theories can explain the drug abuse of some people with mental health issues, it does not apply universally (Khantzian, 1985; Wills et al., 1994). Genetics, social surroundings, and drug availability are several factors that could affect the causes of substance dependence among individuals with psychological disorders.

The second theory behind the connection between mental health and drug abuse in Australia is the common cause hypothesis. This notion suggests a shared origin exists, which may explain why substance abuse and mental illnesses occur together (Kendler et al., 2012). Genetic variables could contribute to the beginning of both disorders – those about one’s well-being and addiction issues. Furthermore, environmental factors like early childhood crises or having family members who struggle with chemical dependence might also play an essential part in causing these related problems involving psychological well-being disturbances and narcotic use disorder. As Kendler et al. (2012) reported, scientific proof indicates that people with a familial inclination towards drug addiction are more prone to acquiring coexisting mental health conditions and substance dependence.

Furthermore, former literary works have proven the existence of an association between inherited attributes and the occurrence of drug dependency and psychological disorders (Kendler et al., 2012; Vink et al., 2014). Through their research study, Kendler’s team found that around half of the significant depression plus narcotics reliance was primarily attributable to hereditary factors. A common cause hypothesis is presented to account for the known association between drug abuse and mental health in some people. It is essential, however, to recognize that not all individuals who suffer from psychiatric disorders display lineage with substance addiction or exhibit genetic markers linked to this behaviour – as determined by research conducted by Kendler et al. (2012) and Vink et al. (2014). Various other factors, such as societal surroundings, stressors, and traumatic events, may influence the development of substance abuse among those with psychological illnesses. However, these are just examples of many possible reasons.

The issue of mental health and drug addiction carries immense social importance within the borders of Australia, necessitating that various governments undertake measures to address these challenges. The primary responsibility for developing policies intended to tackle problems about drug abuse and mental health problems falls under state and territorial administrations, whereas the federal government shoulders a merely supportive role in this context. The Australian Constitution elucidates the distribution of roles between Commonwealth and state entities. The enumeration in the Constitution bestows precise capabilities on the former government, such as jurisdiction over defence, foreign affairs and tax laws. Contrariwise, it is incumbent upon states to regulate education, healthcare and social welfare domains. Albeit mental health issues or substance abuse do not receive explicit mention within this Constitutional document; however their oversight remains subject to dominion by regional governments respectively at a territorial level too.

In Australia, the primary responsibility of mental health policy management rests with state and territory governments. The legislative framework provided by each region’s act concerning mental health plays a vital role in enabling the operation of services to those affected. Publicly available facilities offering care for individuals grappling with their psychological well-being – from community-based initiatives to specialized treatments and inpatient therapy- falls under regional governance authorities’ purview. Funding for such measures is met through non-governmental organizations (NGOs) that avail themselves via financial contributions granted by relevant states or territories on behalf of individuals requiring support regarding their psychological afflictions alongside families impacted concurrently.

The Commonwealth government has implemented the National Mental Health Strategy to aid states and territories in optimizing mental health outcomes. This approach is a collaborative initiative between the Commonwealth, state, and territory administrations to advance all Australians’ psychological welfare and overall wellness. The strategy accentuates particular target populations such as minors/adolescents, Indigenous Australians, and individuals who dwell in remote areas geographically removed from others.

Australia’s state and territory governments comparably manage drug abuse policies. The Drug and alcohol act governs each jurisdiction, serving as legal grounds for such services. The provision of public support against substance use disorder falls under the domain of governing bodies, extending itself to encompass treatment options and rehabilitation efforts alongside measures directed towards harm reduction strategies. Furthermore, non-governmental organizations (NGOs) are sustained through state or territorial administrations funding individuals who require assistance with necessary resources relating to their battle with substances or helping families affected by this issue. The administration of the Commonwealth has enacted The National Drug Strategy, which presents aid to numerous provinces and jurisdictions in elevating results related to drugs and alcohol. In cooperation with one another, this interdependent plan strives towards mitigating unfavourable influences caused by substances such as tobacco or other illegal drugs within Australia via united efforts undertaken by all levels of government. This strategic approach further prioritizes certain sets for implementation, catering primarily but not exclusively limited to Indigenous Australians, young individuals and those dwelling in distant rural territories.

In addition to the National Mental Health Strategy and the National Drug Strategy, other actions taken by the Commonwealth government in Australia aim to enhance substance abuse and mental health policies. For example, monetary resources go towards examining matters concerning drug misuse and psychological wellness- a responsibility shared by the National Health and Medical Research Council. Financial policies back projects geared towards fostering good mindsets to combat drug addiction. It can be done through implementation initiatives initiated under Primary Healthcare Networks scheme structures.

Across Australia, the government has implemented various policy measures to combat mental health and substance abuse concerns. Within current discussions, one particularly prominent response is the Mental Health and Suicide Prevention Plan – an initiative deployed at a national level with twin foci: preventing suicides while also addressing underlying issues concerning matters surrounding individual psychological well-being more generally within Australia’s borders. In November 2020, the Australian government presented the Mental Health and Suicide Prevention Plan as a critical piece in its COVID-19 economic recovery strategy. Their primary goal is to support the psychological welfare of Australians while also working towards diminishing overall suicide rates. This program will span over ten years with multi-billion dollar investments and aims to involve local governments, specialists within mental health fields, and the general public’s combined efforts to achieve successful implementation. The plan for Mental Health and Suicide Prevention consists of various measures designed to augment mental health outcomes while preventing potential suicide attempts. Among the most significant objectives this initiative sets is an intensified improvement in the availability of mental healthcare services, mainly aimed towards those deemed more vulnerable than others. To fulfil such aims, the government has made a solemn promise to bestow $248.6 million specifically into expanding their digital Head to Health platform, which provides all Australians with complete access to online counselling sessions as well as peer support facilities that are crucially essential resources when navigating through instances pertaining psychological well-being issues. Improving the psychological welfare and health of children and adolescents is a crucial responsibility assumed by the Mental Health and Suicide Prevention Plan. The Australian government has designated $299.2 million to extend support for mental wellness among young individuals in Australia, comprising funding provisions directed towards school-based psychiatric programs and specialized services rendered toward troubled youngsters with complex dilemmas concerning their cognitive state. Incorporating measures to tackle substance misuse is critical to the Mental Health and Suicide Prevention Plan. National Alcohol Strategy, aimed at mitigating negative impacts associated with excessive consumption of alcoholic beverages, is among these measures. The strategy development happens in collaboration with multiple states and territories; it primarily seeks to mitigate alcohol-related harm occurrences such as injury, disease or violence caused by high drinking levels.

The blueprint for Mental Health and Suicide Prevention Plan aims to extend targeted support to persons in a quandary. The fiscal authorities have apportioned funds worth $80 million towards augmenting the potential of medical emergency departments and community-based mental health services so that prompt aid can be provided when required by people undergoing crises due to their mental state. These steps include assistance through enhanced triage facilities exclusively intended for addressing issues related to psychology, backing hospitals’ exigency department provisions, and extending crisis support mechanisms to provide succour wherever needed. The Plan for Mental Health and Prevention of Suicide amalgamates approaches that strive to amplify the adroitness and dexterity of the labour force in terms of discharging mental health services. The government has initiated a new stratagem dubbed “Mental Health Workforce Strategy,” with an allocation pledge worth $152 million. This initiative primarily aims at elevating quality and quantity regarding mental health care delivery through augmenting mind-care professionals’ numbers. Numerous measures are envisaged under this approach, mainly in introducing educational programs, courses training sessions, and tightly into employment retention drives encompassed within recruitment initiatives to strengthen workforce augmentation efforts holistically.

Mental health and substance abuse have become a significant focus of attention in contemporary Australia. There are two schools of thought regarding the correlation between drug addiction and psychological disorders – the self-medication hypothesis and the common cause hypothesis. While both perspectives hold merit when examining drug-related issues among those with pre-existing psychiatric conditions, it is essential to note that genetic predispositions, societal influences, along with easy access to drugs also play an integral role in contributing towards such illnesses. One can declare that the onus for developing policies concerned with mental health and drug abuse in Australia rests mainly upon state and territory administrations. Nevertheless, the Commonwealth government plays an essential role by supporting these initiatives significantly. The National Mental Health Strategy and the National Drug Strategy represent cooperative ventures between different levels of authority to augment overall outcomes related to substance abuse and mental health care within Australia. While substantial work remains yet to be done toward addressing multifaceted social concerns, both strategies constitute significant advancements towards successfully resolving them within Australian society. The Mental Health and Suicide Prevention Plan is a noteworthy policy that addresses mental health and substance abuse issues in Australia. It represents an important step towards addressing these pressing societal concerns. The suggested strategy aims at tackling intricate social matters regarding mental well-being and suicide prevention by enacting various measures such as widening the reach of psychiatric services, providing support to young Australians, and confronting drug misuse problems while also offering specialized aid for those who deal with crucial situations; thereby enhancing their proficiency levels whilst further developing the potential within the workforce dealing with psychology-related challenges. Although still new on stage, so to speak, it is commendable how the Australian government is allocating funds towards this endeavour. It aims to boost positive outcomes underpinning good psychological status and mitigate any negative impact from drug or alcohol-related addiction across Australia.

Australian Government Department of Health. (2022). National Mental Health Strategy. Retrieved from https://www1.health.gov.au/internet/main/publishing.nsf/Content/mental-national-strategy-2019

Australian Government Department of Health. (2022). National Drug Strategy. Retrieved from https://www1.health

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