Why substance abuse is a problem

Some people with disorders like anxiety or depression may use drugs in an attempt to alleviate psychiatric symptoms. This may exacerbate their mental disorder in the long run, as well as increase the risk of developing addiction. Beyond the harmful consequences for the person with the addiction, drug use can cause serious health problems for others.

Some of the more severe consequences of addiction are:. National Institutes of Health. Slips and setbacks happen, but, with hard work, most people can recover from their relapses and move on with recovery. Peer support can help. You may benefit from joining a self-help support group such as Alcoholics Anonymous or Narcotics Anonymous. Make sure that the program is appropriately licensed and accredited, the treatment methods are backed by research, and there is an aftercare program to prevent relapse.

Additionally, you should make sure that the program has experience with your particular mental health issue. Some programs, for example, may have experience treating depression or anxiety, but not schizophrenia or bipolar disorder. There are a variety of approaches that treatment programs may take, but there are some basics of effective treatment that you should look for:. Veterans deal with additional challenges when it comes to co-occurring disorders.

The pressures of deployment or combat can exacerbate underlying mental disorders, and substance abuse is a common way of coping with the unpleasant feelings or memories associated with PTSD in military veterans. Often, these problems take a while to show up after a vet returns home, and may be initially mistaken for readjustment. In addition to getting professional treatment, there are plenty of self-help steps you can take to address your substance abuse and mental health issues.

Remember: Getting sober is only the beginning. Learn how to manage stress. Drug and alcohol abuse often stems from misguided attempts to manage stress. Stress management skills go a long way towards preventing relapse and keeping your symptoms at bay. Cope with unpleasant feelings. Many people turn to alcohol or drugs to cover up painful memories and emotions such as loneliness, depression, or anxiety.

Know your triggers and have an action plan. Common causes include stressful events, big life changes, or unhealthy sleeping or eating patterns. At these times, having a plan in place is essential to preventing a drink or drug relapse.

Who will you talk to? What do you need to do to avoid slipping? Make face-to-face connection with friends and family a priority. Positive emotional connection to those around you is the quickest way to calm your nervous system. Try to meet up regularly with people who care about you. Once you are sober and you feel better, you might think you no longer need medication or treatment.

But arbitrarily stopping medication or treatment is a common reason for relapse in people with co-occurring disorders. Always talk with your doctor before making any changes to your medication or treatment routine. Get therapy or stay involved in a support group. Your chances of staying sober improve if you are participating in a social support group like Alcoholics Anonymous or Narcotics Anonymous or if you are getting therapy.

Exercise regularly. Exercise is a natural way to bust stress, relieve anxiety, and improve your mood and outlook. To achieve the maximum benefit, aim for at least 30 minutes of aerobic exercise on most days.

Practice relaxation techniques. When practiced regularly, relaxation techniques such as mindfulness meditation, progressive muscle relaxation, and deep breathing can reduce symptoms of stress, anxiety, and depression, and increase feelings of relaxation and emotional well-being. Adopt healthy eating habits. Start the day right with breakfast, and continue with frequent small meals throughout the day. Going too long without eating leads to low blood sugar, which can make you feel more stressed or anxious.

Getting enough healthy fats in your diet can help to boost your mood. Get enough sleep. A lack of sleep can exacerbate stress, anxiety, and depression, so try to get 7 to 9 hours of quality sleep a night.

Substance dependence is the medical term used to describe abuse of drugs or alcohol that continues even when significant problems related to their use have developed.

Signs of dependence include:. Withdrawal symptoms that happen if you decrease or stop using the drug that you find difficult to cut down or quit. Continued use of the drug even though you are aware of the physical, psychological, and family or social problems that are caused by your ongoing drug abuse. Cultural and societal factors determine what are acceptable or allowable forms of drug or alcohol use. Public laws determine what kind of drug use is legal or illegal.

The question of what type of substance use can be considered normal or acceptable remains controversial. Substance abuse and dependence are caused by multiple factors, including genetic vulnerability, environmental stressors, social pressures, individual personality characteristics, and psychiatric problems.

But which of these factors has the biggest influence in any one person cannot be determined in all cases. The following are the most common behaviors that mean a person is having a problem with drug or alcohol abuse. But each person may have slightly different symptoms. Symptoms may include:. Advances in research have led to the development of evidence-based strategies to effectively address substance abuse.

There is now a deeper understanding of substance abuse as a disorder that develops in adolescence and, for some individuals, will develop into a chronic illness that will require lifelong monitoring and care. A stronger emphasis on evaluation has expanded evidence-based practices for drug and alcohol treatment.

Improvements have focused on the development of better clinical interventions through research and increasing the skills and qualifications of treatment providers. In recent years, the impact of substance and alcohol abuse has been notable across several areas, including the following:.

Adolescent abuse of prescription drugs has continued to rise over the past 5 years. It is believed that 2 factors have led to the increase in abuse. First, the availability of prescription drugs is increasing from many sources, including the family medicine cabinet, the Internet, and doctors. Second, many adolescents believe that prescription drugs are safer to take than street drugs. Military operations in Iraq and Afghanistan have placed a great strain on military personnel and their families.

This strain can lead to family disintegration, mental health disorders, and even suicide. In addition, as the Federal Government begins to implement health reform legislation, it will focus attention on providing services for individuals with mental illness and substance use disorders, including new opportunities for access to and coverage of treatment and prevention services.