Disorders and addictions
Common associated conditions that can accompany addiction
Having any kind of addiction can be serious enough on its own, but unfortunately sometimes having an addiction brings with it other conditions which can complicate recovery.
With other mental health disorders playing a part in what an addict has to face to recover, our free advice for disorders and addictions can really make all the difference and start our patients on the road to recovery. We’re urgent qualified interventionists and are experts at helping addicts face their problems and work through to full, long-lasting recovery and a normal life.
Here are some of the more common links between addiction and other mental health disorders:
1. Antisocial Personality Disorder and alcohol addiction
Alcoholism can be associated with several different mental health disorders, including schizophrenia, mania, dementia, and even drug addiction in addition to the addiction to alcohol. However, the most closely related mental health condition to alcoholism, according to the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA), is antisocial personality disorder (ASPD).
The NIAAA found that both mental health problems can begin very early in life, and that alcohol addiction can make the ASPD worse, as drinking lowers inhibitions, potentially bringing out antisocial behaviour. They also found that any alcohol addict who regularly drinks excessively is 21 times more prone to having antisocial personality disorder.
2. Depression and addiction to heroin
Depression and heroin addiction can be bad enough on their own, but a combination of the two can be devastating. Heroin can make an addict feel incredibly good initially, but over the long term, it’s possible for a user to get a type of brain damage as the heroin can burn out the parts of the brain that make us feel good. This brain damage can add to the addict’s problems by bringing on depression, which can only be lifted by taking more heroin. It’s a vicious circle, but with the right treatment and total abstinence, the user can completely recover.
3. Anxiety disorder and cocaine abuse
Cocaine is another drug which makes the user feel very good, giving feelings of strength and ecstasy.
Long-term use, however, can bring on terrible symptoms which greatly resemble those of an anxiety disorder. Users may begin to suffer from insomnia, hallucinations and paranoia, and become highly suspicious and prone to violence.
With treatment and full abstinence, the symptoms can begin to fade, though some people do still suffer with them even once they are sober.
4. Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and opioid addiction
PTSD can be brought on by an incredibly stressful experience, such as rape, a sudden death in the family, accident, or by military service. In addition to symptoms such as flashbacks, stress and irritability, people can often have serious injuries too, which need both treatment and pain relief. Pain relief is often given in the form of prescription painkillers, but it is highly possible to become addicted to the feelings of euphoria that these painkillers can provide, adding to the problems already present with PTSD.
5. Schizophrenia and marijuana addiction
According to the American Journal of Psychiatry, around half of the people who suffer from schizophrenia are also likely to have some form of substance addiction disorder. Although it’s not yet understood why, there does seem to be a very strong link between schizophrenia and marijuana abuse.
If you have any kind of substance abuse disorder, please don’t suffer in silence. We offer free advice for disorders and addictions and our experienced staff will do everything they can to help you. We’ll also help you with any co-occurring conditions that you might have.
Get in touch and take that first step on the road to recovery today.