5 Effects of Drug Addiction on the Brain and Body

There is a correlation between substance misuse and mental health due to the fact that the psychological impacts of addiction to drugs, particularly alcohol, create changes in both the body and the brain. The gears that are found inside of your body are kept moving thanks to a delicate balance of chemicals, and even the tiniest disruption may cause you to suffer undesirable symptoms. This may be due to the fact that drug addiction may create or aggravate mental health disorders. The risk factors for mental health and substance misuse are similar, therefore this may also be attributable to the fact that drug addiction can cause these diseases.

Consuming excessive amounts of alcohol and drugs may lead to a disorganised neurological system, rewiring of the brain, and inflammation, all of which can contribute to the development of mental illness. Continue reading this article from California rehab to learn more about the consequences that drug use disorders have on a person’s mental well-being.

1. Anxiety

There are a lot of parallels to be drawn between the effects of anxiety and those of stimulants like cocaine and methamphetamine. On the other hand, taking medications that slow activity in the central nervous system might make a person more susceptible to developing anxiety. In spite of the fact that they have a sedative effect on a person while they are under the influence of alcohol or drugs, the opposite is true after the effects of these substances have worn off.

In addition, many individuals who are addicted to substances suffer anxiety as a result of their efforts to conceal their habits from other people. It may be difficult to determine, in many situations, whether persons who are nervous are more inclined to misuse substances or whether substance abuse and illegal drug usage induce anxiety.

2. Shame and Guilt

In today’s culture, addiction has a negative connotation, and those who battle with the disease often feel a great deal of shame and guilt about their condition. The majority of the time, this entails adding more wood to a fire that was already roaring. People who struggle with drug use disorders have a pattern of regularly engaging in negative self-evaluation, which is a behaviour that has its origins in the adverse experiences they had as children. Continuous negative dialogue with oneself contributes to sentiments of both guilt and shame.

It might be tempting to attempt to cover up difficult feelings with substances like alcohol or drugs when you have a nagging sense that you’ve done something wrong on a consistent basis. These unproductive feelings contribute to the vicious cycle of negative feedback that pushes individuals into a downward spiral of addiction.

3. Negative Feedback Loop

When seen from the outside, a person who is addicted seems to be making poor decisions on a consistent basis and is oblivious to the consequences of those decisions. The reality, on the other hand, is far more intricate and subtler — so much so that it may be extremely difficult for individuals to conquer a drug use problem without receiving addiction treatment either in an inpatient or an outpatient setting. This is brought about in part by a feedback loop in the mind that is of a negative kind.

A person who is addicted to drugs or alcohol has a feeling of comfort that they have not been able to acquire from any other source. As soon as they come to their senses and realize the repercussions of their acts, they will always experience feelings of regret and humiliation in its place. The weight of these sentiments, however, compels people to seek solace in narcotics.

4. Depression

Because the symptoms of withdrawal and the indicators of depression may be quite similar to one another, it can be difficult to diagnose coexisting addiction until the substance use disorder has been treated. The vast majority of depressed individuals are best served by engaging in continuing psychotherapy.

5. Loss of Interest

 

One of the most telling signs that you may be suffering from depression or addiction is a loss of interest in things that you used to take pleasure in. However, if you are able to beat addiction, it will be much simpler for you to beat depression. It’s such a damaging symptom because it’s so demotivating to feel like there’s no pleasure in the world. This is why it’s such a negative symptom. Everyone has things that they are passionate about and interested in, but for someone in these situations, it might be difficult to rediscover those things. Treatment programs may assist you in determining the causes behind your harmful drug use, allowing you to develop alternative coping techniques and attend therapy sessions to address any underlying problems.