Addictions and Mental Health: The Chicken or the Egg?

In recent years, we have witnessed a deterioration of the traditional stigma with which people facing mental illness were perceived. In a very short time, we went from seeing these people as “crazy”, “weak” or “hopelessly ill” to understanding the importance of mental health and the difficulties of suffering from some type of emotional, psychological or psychiatric disorder. Sadly, this change in vision seems to have failed to reach people who are dealing with addictions. However, the line between mental illness and addiction is so thin that it can be difficult to distinguish it.

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Perhaps the lack of understanding of addictions stems to some extent from the idea that people use drugs for fun and entertainment. The reality is that there are multiple reasons why a person consumes psychoactive substances. Of course, curiosity, rebellion, and the influence of certain friendships can have some impact on the decision to consume them. However, the Report on the Situation of Mental Health and the Use of Psychoactive Substances in Mexico of 2021 found that during the COVID-19 pandemic, the reasons for substance use were more related to an absence of emotional well-being, with the main causes for consumption being stress, anxiety and isolation with 17.7%, 15.9% and 14.7% respectively. While curiosity and desire to experiment only occurred in 1.8% and 1.4% of the population.

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To begin to unravel the ways in which mental health and addictions are linked, it is essential that we understand that addiction is, in and of itself, a mental illness known as Substance Use Disorder (TCS). The American Psychiatric Association (APA) defines this condition as “a condition that is defined as the problematic use of a substance such as alcohol, drugs or prescription drugs. The individual consumes intensely and despite the harmful consequences. This affects their ability to function on a daily basis.” Thus, addiction can develop from the intake of substances as legal as alcohol and tobacco to illegal drugs such as marijuana, cocaine, heroin and more. The speed and risk of dependence vary by substance, however, all of these substances can expose a person to TCS.

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Contrary to popular belief that people develop addictions simply because they have made the decision to use drugs, there are some factors beyond the control of a human being that can make a person more likely to develop a TCS. Genetics and early exposure to trauma are two of the most important causes in this regard, since between 40% and 60% of a person's vulnerability to falling into addiction is attributed to genes. In addition, several studies suggest that the environment in which a person grows up can impact, even at a molecular level, the ease with which they can generate an addiction.

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However, although it is true that a lack of emotional well-being can lead a person to develop a TCS, interaction with psychoactive substances can cause more profound changes in mental health in the long term. Regular use of cannabis, for example, increases the risk of anxiety or depression. In addition, some experts point out that there is a strong correlation between the consumption of more intense marijuana strains and the development of both psychosis and schizophrenia. In addition, stimulant drugs, such as cocaine, can cause depression, anxiety and paranoia. Ecstasy, on the other hand, is related to memory problems.

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You already know a little more about the complicated relationship between mental health and drugs, but now what? What can you do if you're dealing with an addiction? Well, the first thing is to identify if there is indeed a problem with your substance use. Here's a list of the most common symptoms of a TCS:

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• Need to consume the drug daily or several times a day.
• Difficulty thinking about anything other than consumption.
• Raise the dose to feel the effect.
• Consume more than originally thought.
• Always ensure the availability of the drug.
• Buying drugs, even when you can't afford them.
• Reduce the time spent working or socializing to consume.
• Continue to consume despite seeing the damage it causes.
• To carry out hazardous activities under the influence of the substance or to achieve it.
• Not being able to stop using it despite several attempts.
• Experiencing withdrawal symptoms

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If this list of symptoms resonates with you, this doesn't mean that all is lost. On the contrary. There are a lot of tools at your disposal to help you recover from this illness:

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1. Find a support group: groups such as Alcoholics Anonymous or Narcotics Anonymous will help you better understand your addiction and will support you during your recovery. Surrounding yourself with people who go through the same thing will be your anchor to leave the substance.
2. Find professional medical help: some addictions require psychiatric medical assistance or medications to alleviate withdrawal syndrome. One of the ways to find a professional is through your help group.

Attend therapy: cognitive behavioral therapy can be of great help in your recovery process. In addition, there are several accessible ways to obtain it. Mindsurf, for example, has a wide network of therapists who can guide you on your path to comprehensive well-being.