Can drug use effect mental health?

 

 Mental Health and Substance Use 

      "If you can quit for a day, you can quit for a lifetime."Abstaining from the use of drugs can be very difficult but it reaps a lot of benefits, including better mental clarity. Many believe that participating in drug use will not have any effects on that individual's mental health. But my research will say otherwise. Doing drugs can lead to depression, suicidal thoughts or attempts, and lastly personality disorders. Being involved in drug use will potentially cause the outburst of mental illness or make it worse. 

    

  Substance Use and Depression 

        To start, the National Library of Medicine has many takes on how mental illness can be a result of drugs. In one of their articles, they wrote "Mood disorders, including depression and bipolar disorders, are the most common psychiatric comorbidities among patients with substance use disorders"(Quello). Here Kathleen Brady specifically states that patients who have a substance use disorder most commonly attract depression and many other mental health illnesses. Many would turn a blind eye to this quote but in the end, the drug use catches up to them then they realize what they were running from bites them harder than they would think. 

        Drug use is normal in society. In some areas, it is deemed legal. In a U.S.News article it states, "On Election Day in 2012, voters in Colorado and Washington approved ballot measures to legalize the recreational use and sale of cannabis, making the states the first in the U.S. to do so"(Where Is Marijuana Legal). Legalizing this makes it more accessible which also means more possibly undocumented mental health illnesses are on the rise. More people will be able to do substance use without the fear that they are doing something illegal. And they most definitely won't hide it in situations that arouse it. Lastly, what is noticed here is that drug use can have a significant effect on the brain. 

Leading To Suicide...

        Substance use can lead to suicidal thoughts or even attempts. In a study conducted by A.S.C.P. it says, "Substance use disorders were associated with increased relative risk of suicide for both women and men across all categories, but the relative risk was more pronounced in women"(Lynch). All the men reading this quote might think "Relative risk more in women? I guess I am fine." You're not. It affects everyone but just differently. It might hit others specifically women harder but that does not mean it won't get you. Suicidal thoughts are really dangerous and can potentially end someone's life. I believe that if there is something linked to it the best bet would be to break the link. In closing, substance use is a highly important topic when it comes to the oncoming of mental illness. 

Also Personality Disorder?

    Some personality disorders are caused by the onset of drug use. An article by Turn Bridge comes to this conclusion. It states, "38 percent of people with Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD) – a type of personality disorder – also suffer from substance addiction"(Tadmin). This supports the claim previously specified. It may not be a huge percentage but it's a percentage that claims that it is possible. Some may think that doing drugs helps them cope, or helps their already present mental illness but drugs not only have a huge negative effect on the brain but also on your will to live as stated previously. 

    Another article claims, "If you have a mental health diagnosis, you may use drugs to help you cope with the symptoms. Drugs can act as a temporary prop to get you through difficult times. However, drugs can make difficult feelings and emotions even worse. And in the long term, any feelings of relief won’t last"(Drugs & Mental Health). This quote from the Mental Health Foundation speaks volumes. Many are deceived by the effects of drugs. They believe it will help but as stated it can actually make them worse. Doing drugs seems like it is the best way to go for someone's mental health needs, but the actual help is therapy and prescribed medication. I have experience with therapy and medication and I have to say it was highly beneficial. I've never done drugs but just to clarify I am not putting any bad shade on those who do. Getting help is a learning process and it also is difficult but always open. 

The Conclusion of Today's Hypothesis 

    To close, drugs have a hugely significant effect on mental health. As the articles revealed it can cause depression, suicidal thoughts or attempts, and personality disorders. I believe that seeking help will be more effective than the temporary effects of drugs. People should be sober of drugs and sober of suicide. Both are never the answer. 

Works Cited 

“Drugs and Mental Health.” Mental Health Foundation, www.mentalhealth.org.uk/explore-mental-health/a-z-topics/drugs-and-mental-health#:~:text=If%20you%20have%20a%20mental,of%20relief%20won’t%20last. Accessed 17 June 2023.

Lynch, Frances L., et al. “Substance Use Disorders and Risk of Suicide in a General US Population: A Case Control Study - Addiction Science & Clinical Practice.” BioMed Central, 21 Feb. 2020, ascpjournal.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s13722-020-0181-1.

Mc-Admin. “50 Best Drug Addiction Quotes and Sayings of All Time.” Master Center for Addiction Medicine, 22 Apr. 2021, mastercenter.com/drug-addiction-quotes-sayings/.

Quello, Susan B, et al. “Mood Disorders and Substance Use Disorder: A Complex Comorbidity.” Science & Practice Perspectives, Dec. 2005, www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2851027/#:~:text=Chronic%20use%20of%20CNS%20depressants,result%20in%20anxiety%20and%20agitation.

Tadmin. “Personality Disorders and Addiction.” Turnbridge, 26 Jan. 2021, www.turnbridge.com/news-events/latest-articles/personality-disorder-and-addiction/.

Where Is Marijuana Legal? A Guide to Marijuana Legalization - U.S. News ..., www.usnews.com/news/best-states/articles/where-is-marijuana-legal-a-guide-to-marijuana-legalization. Accessed 18 June 2023.