Drug addiction, despite being seen by many as some sort of failing of the mind, is not listed as a mental health disorder. Substance abuse has escaped that category despite the fact that comparatively less troublesome ailments or sicknesses like social anxiety disorder and (in some circles) insomnia are listed as possible or acknowledged mental health conditions. The facts known about drug addiction show that it is a biological and physiological condition, with the body craving the effects that these narcotics have on the brain. The divide between mental disorder and drug addiction is a very thin, blurry line, but there is a line. However, recent research is starting to reveal information that is making this line seem even thinner and more blurred than it already is. It would appear that drug addiction and mental conditions, such as social anxiety disorder and depression, are not as distinct form one another as initially thought.
In layman's terms, when one person shows signs of being a drug addict, there's usually some sort of mental health condition riding the coattails, though not everyone who's crazy is a junkie, and not every drug addict is insane. The psychological problems tend to vary from patient to patient, though things like social anxiety disorder are common in teenage addicts, along with depression, performance anxiety, and a few behavioral disorders. Schizophrenia, bipolar and unipolar depression, and other personality disorders are also commonly observed to tag along with addictions, though not always with narcotics and other illegal drugs. Nicotine and alcohol addicts also tend to have a host of mental health problems riding in their wake as well.
Some recent studies are showing that damage to certain regions of the brain may be responsible for making people more likely to develop addictions, with the amygdala taking center stage in the study's findings. This does not take away anything from the natural addictive abilities of substances such as alcohol, opioids, and nicotine, but it does serve to explain why some people appear more likely to become addicts than others on a psychological level. The studies also discovered that addictions for people with damaged amygdala are not only more prone to addiction, they are also less likely to discern from one substance to another in their abuse. Findings showed that it didn't seem to matter what the substance was or what the effects it had on the mind and body were, so long as they had the potential to be habit-forming and the subjects were exposed to it regularly.
Obviously, since mental health problems such as social anxiety disorder and dissociative identity disorder can make someone more likely to become an addict, there are things that need consideration. A number of drug addicts can and do claim that external factors forced them into their substance abuse, with several of these reasons being highly similar to things that trigger mental illness. With psychological conditions now leading to substance abuse, is there now reason to believe that those who are genetically predisposed towards mental illness are, logically, also more likely to become addicts?
I used to think that anyone afflicted with a mental illness was going to be a very ill person for the rest of their lives.
Having personally seen a family member gain a very reasonable standard of living from being chronically ill, I now believe that it is possible.
Mental Illness, for some it can be a one off relatively short episode, or for others the illness may go on for years.
I am a carer, and certainly no medical expert, but I am speaking from experience of my own situation and from observing many other situations with people who I personally know and who have suffered chronic illnesses.
GETTING A DIAGNOSIS There are many types of mental disorders and because of the fact that specialists are dealing with matters of the mind, it is often hard to: 1. Establish the symptoms because at the time of ill health, communication can be a severe hindrance, or 2. The client could be showing symptoms of several different illnesses. There are other issues too, but unfortunately getting a good diagnosis often takes longer than we hoped.
Having said that, once you know what you are dealing with as a carer, I would suggest that you find out as much information as you can about the particular illness, then, as soon as you think there is a chance, start taking positive steps towards recovery.
"Recovery", I said. What do you mean, but now I believe it is more a question of "how and when" rather than a question of "if". Let me promise you, I never used to think this way at all.
RECOVERY Ten years ago when my son became ill with paranoid/schizophrenia all we could think of was that 'this illness will go away soon and all will be well'. But it wasn't quite that simple and there certainly are too many stories to tell now. Once you have seen your loved one go to the depths of 'hell' all you want is for them to be "OK", well, anyway that was what we thought. After all these years of watching a my chronically ill son, and with the knowledge I have now, I know that once a mentally ill person is ready life can be so much better.
Now, I am so happy to say, my son is living independently in a self contained flat on the property, drives his own car and maintains it, sorts out his own medication (with a little prompting at times), feeds and clothes himself to a fairly high standard and handles his finances well. A situation I was starting to think I would never see again. So, to all carers and family members reading this article I would encourage you not to give up hope but work through that horrendous first stage of everyone learning to cope with the illness and support the person who is ill as our journey, as carer and family, is nowhere as bad as their journey. It may only take months for things to settle down but, as in our case, it may take years.
It is very important that the person with a mental illness is living in an environment that is reasonably free from continual aggravation, and definately in a situation where they are not made to feel guilty for their illness. But don't give up - it is such a wonderful feeling to see them getting on with their lives again, having a laugh and joining in social occasions.
Another very important issue, I believe is getting the medication right and it being taken on a regular basis and again this is easier said than done!
COPING AS A CARER Learn to understand why they do what they do, and what the possibilities are of other behaviours that they may adopt, but try and keep an open mind. If you are forewarned to some of the behaviours they may have, you will cope so much better.
I have now seen a number of people who have been chronically ill regain a positive and meaningful life so believe me IT IS POSSIBLE in lots of cases, given the right circumstances.
Both Harvey D. Ong & Kaye Dennan are contributors for EditorialToday. The above articles have been edited for relevancy and timeliness. All write-ups, reviews, tips and guides published by EditorialToday.com and its partners or affiliates are for informational purposes only. They should not be used for any legal or any other type of advice. We do not endorse any author, contributor, writer or article posted by our team.
Harvey D. Ong has sinced written about articles on various topics from Gardening, Health and Birth Control. Harvey Ong is a full-time writer-researcher for an online media company. He has written articles on pharmaceutical products, mental health articles, international business news, casino blackjack strategies, and culinary travel guides. He also has some kno. Harvey D. Ong's top article generates over 60500 views. to your Favourites.
Kaye Dennan has sinced written about articles on various topics from Medicine, Family and Family Travel. Kaye has gained extensive knowledge over her 10 years as being carer for a mentally ill son and is author of several articles and ebooks. Kaye has published an ebook called Managing MENTAL ILLNESS - Coping Strategies for the Carer and it is available at. Kaye Dennan's top article generates over 27100 views. to your Favourites.