Substance Abuse And Mental HealthThere is a link between substance abuse and mental health. Certain mental health issues have a higher instance with those who abuse substances. Recent studies have shown that 30-60 % of persons having a substance abuse problem also have a mental health issue. A study of the mental health issue of depression, when left untreated or treated incorrectly, shows that 32% of those with depression will also develop a substance abuse issue. Many people with depression will try and self medicate with substances (other than prescribed) to ease the discomfort of the disorder. For most people, their depressive symptoms where present before their use of alcohol and other drugs. The study also showed that depression and attempted suicide are common among female substance abusers. Among cocaine and alcohol abusers, men are as likely to be diagnosed with depression as women, but women are much more likely to suffer depression than men in the general population. Anxiety disorder (panic attack) is also a contributor to the connection between substance abuse and mental health. Substance abuse seems to be a greater risk factor for men with anxiety disorder. Society expects that men will be socially aggressive and this prompts them to use drugs and alcohol to overcome shyness and feelings of inadequacies at higher rates than women, who are not usually expected to be as aggressive. Substance abuse and mental health statistics show that 17% of those with anxiety disorder use drugs in an attempt to calm themselves and deal with their feelings of panic. However, substance abuse and mental health researchers believe they may have an opposite effect, as drugs can often worsen panic attacks. Substance abuse and mental health issues also coexist for people with Bipolar disorder. The number of patients with bipolar disorder who also have a substance abuse problem ranges from 30 to 60%. With the mental health issue of bipolar disorder, substance abuse issues are more likely to occur than with most other disorders. Persons with bipolar disorder will usually abuse a variety of drugs, to compensate for their highs and lows. They commonly use alcohol when manic symptoms are present and stimulants when depressed. It is no secret that substance abuse and mental health issues are closely related. Persons who have a mental health disorder that have not been able to get treatment or their treatment is not working correctly will look for a way to alleviate the symptoms. People suffering from symptoms that may be related to mental health issues should seek professional treatment and honestly let their provider know how the treatment is working for them. Abusing substances to treat mental health issues will only worsen the symptoms and send the patient on a path with another problem to treat. |