Drug Abuse or Mental Illness?

Drug abuse and mental illness

Is it a coincidence that as drug addiction in America increases, we also see an increase in behavioral disorders? I believe not. Did you know that drug abuse can actually mimic a mental disorder?

According to current statistics, drug related behavioral disorders account for nearly 11% of all people diagnosed with mental problems. The drugs listed below, when abused, are just a few that can cause signs and symptoms that are misdiagnosed as behavioral disorders.

Alcohol

Most people drink alcohol for the feeling of euphoria and increased social confidence. The next day is often a different story. The hang over can include fatigue, nausea, and depression. In a person who has many life struggles or emotional turmoil, this can quickly lead to addiction. Prolonged drinking induces anxiety, insomnia, tremors, and agitation.

Cocaine

Cocaine gives a great sense of euphoria and a false feeling of well-being, increased strength, and unreal thoughts and feelings of accomplishment. This drug can mimic the symptoms of someone with schizophrenia, but unlike schizophrenia the person still has reasoning and the paranoid state is less bizarre.

Withdrawal from cocaine can cause an absence of pleasure and cause severe anxiety; this condition can last for weeks, and after prolonged use of cocaine the addict can be wrongly diagnosed and treated as bipolar if the drug is not discovered.

Opioids

Becoming addicted to opioids is becoming more common. I can almost guarantee that anyone reading this blog knows of someone who is addicted to an opiate. Withdrawals from opioids cause anxiety, agitation, severe body aches, absence of pleasure, stomach issues, and opioid cravings. This range of symptoms from withdrawing actually drives the addict to seek increased prescriptions for more opioids.

If you or a loved one is addicted to drugs or alcohol you might feel that you are not actually living. You’re not alone Narconon Arrowhead in Canadian Oklahoma can help you beat the addiction and get your life back.

Contact Narconon Arrowhead today.


Source:

NCBI

AUTHOR
J

JT

My life since working at Narconon has been a positive journey. I believe that helping people is not a choice but a way of life and every person I help makes the world just a bit brighter.

NARCONON ARROWHEAD

DRUG EDUCATION AND REHABILITATION