The link between drug abuse and mental illness This group of pupils was earlythis year, arrested at the Centenary Park in Bulawayo for alcohol and drug abuse
This group of pupils was earlythis year, arrested at the Centenary Park in Bulawayo for alcohol and drug abuse

This group of pupils was earlythis year, arrested at the Centenary Park in Bulawayo for alcohol and drug abuse

Tawanda Mvere
NEWSPAPERS have been awash lately with stories of juveniles, some of them as young as 13, being arrested for engaging in illicit activities at the so-called vuzu parties. The drinking of alcohol, casual sex and drug abuse are some of the vices common at the vuzu parties.

It is sad to note how many young people meant to be the leaders of tomorrow are contributing to the decline of the moral fabric of society. Despite the minimum legal drinking age being pegged at 18, many young people below that age in Zimbabwe consume alcohol. Some abuse alcohol by drinking frequently or by binge drinking often defined as having five or more drinks in a row.

A minority of youth may meet the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fourth Edition (DSM-IV), criteria for alcohol dependence. The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual is used by clinicians and researchers to diagnose and classify mental disorders to improve diagnosis, treatment and research. The progression of drinking from use to abuse to dependence is associated with biological and psychosocial factors.

Alcohol – the most widely used and abused drug among youths – causes serious life-threatening problems. Alcohol is sometimes referred to as a gateway drug for youths because its use often precedes that of other illicit substances such as marijuana. It then follows that youths drinking require significant attention. This is not only because of what it leads to but also the extensive human and economic impact of alcohol use by this vulnerable population.

For some youths, alcohol/drug abuse alone is the primary problem. For others, drinking or abusing drugs is only one of many of their high-risk behaviours. Evidence shows that people who consume high amounts of alcohol are vulnerable to higher levels of mental ill health and it can be a contributory factor in some mental illnesses, such as depression. Mental illness is common among a population suffering from substance abuse issues. The relationship is so strong that many people believe the drugs play a causative role in the development of the mental illness. Those who are mentally ill are more likely to abuse drugs. The two issues often go hand in hand.

People who suffer from mental illness such as depression and anxiety may attempt to self-medicate their symptoms via drug use. When these individuals abuse drugs, they may feel less anxiety, depression, or neuroses, albeit temporarily. When the individual is not high, the symptoms of their mental health illness return, oftentimes stronger than before.

Undiagnosed mental illness can lead to substance abuse as the person tries to treat the symptoms of the mental condition. Depression, anxiety, paranoia and restlessness are some of the common symptoms that mentally ill addicts are trying to self-medicate.

Diagnosed mental illness patients often take medication that has unpleasant side effects. These patients abuse drugs to alleviate those effects. For example, schizophrenia patients take medication for hallucinations that causes depression. The patients usually smoke marijuana to deal with the depression.

A few drugs can cause mental illness after years of chronic abuse. Drugs such as ecstasy alter chemicals in the brain that control mood and other behaviours. These alterations can lead to depression or anxiety problems that the addict treats with other drugs.

People who are at risk of mental illness often heighten the chances of becoming mentally ill when they chronically abuse drugs. Mental health risk factors include genetics, the environment, major life experiences and other things. People who already have high risk factors can be “pushed” into the mental illness by chronic substance abuse.

Heavy drug abuse in the adolescent years can lead to mental illness later. Heavy drug abuse can alter the cognitive and social development of teens, two things formulated during adolescence. When these factors are altered, depression and anxiety disorders can result.

Those who chronically abuse drugs may be more likely to experience mental health issues as drugs can exacerbate the symptoms of the disorder, or even initiate the onset of a latent disorder. In addition, both substance abuse and mental illness may have hereditary factors at play, making certain individuals more susceptible to both over time.

Experimenting with drugs can be harmful to a mental health patient. However, it is the chronic abuse that has the biggest effect on the mental health and drug abuse relationship. Chronic abuse is the long-term, heavy use of a drug. These are not casual users. Chronic abusers are physically and psychologically addicted to the drugs. These people believe that the drug is needed in order to control their mental health problems. A chronic substance abuser is one who has lost control over his/her drug habit and is economically, socially and psychologically impacted on by the effects of the drug. If you or someone close to you is a chronic alcohol/drug abuser in need of help get them to a psychologist, psychiatrist listed in the directory or see a counsellor. All addicts are given psychological treatment to help with the psychological symptoms that come with addiction. Oftentimes, addiction specialists and counsellors can spot the signs of mental illness or the need for a dual diagnosis. The addict begins by seeing a psychiatrist/psychologist at a particular time to help with the mental condition. Don’t let your chance at recovery slip away into a mental health abyss when you have means to stop it. Get help for your loved ones and they will receive the professional care needed on their road to recovery.

*Tawanda Mvere, is a Senior Pastor at Balm of Gilead World Ministries and Executive Director of Christian Counselling and Depression Trust, a non-profit making organisation based in Bulawayo.

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