Our mental health is influenced by a variety of factors on a daily basis, including the things that we put into our body such as the foods we eat, the beverages we drink, and the substances we consume.
When a substance affects our mental state, it is referred to as being “psychoactive”. Psychoactive substances include but are not limited to caffeine, nicotine, methamphetamine, cocaine, hallucinogens, ecstasy, opioids, inappropriate use of prescription medications, and more. Different substances cause different psychoactive effects on the mind. For example, some substances may cause a relaxed or dissociative state, while others may induce an elevated or even euphoric state, whereas others may cause sedation, tranquilization, or depressant effects.
People with mental illnesses sometimes use substances as a coping mechanism to manage difficult emotions, thoughts, and behaviors, however, regular use of illicit substances can increase the risk for development of serious symptoms of mental illness including feelings of depression, mania, or psychosis. In addition to the negative impacts that regular substance use can have on your mental health, regular use of substances increase your risk for developing an addiction which can negatively impact many areas of your life such as relationships, ability to maintain a job, basic self care, and physical health.
In 2022, the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) conducted a National Survey on Drug Use and Health in the United States which demonstrated that among people 12 and older in the previous month, 48.7% of people drank alcohol, 18.1% of people used tobacco products, 8.3% vaped nicotine, and 16.5% used an illicit drug. In 2022, 24.9% of people surveyed had used an illicit drug in the previous year, with marijuana being the most frequently used drug. Survey data demonstrated that 48.7 million people (17.3% of people ages 12+) in 2022 met criteria for a substance use disorder, with 29.5 million people having an alcohol use disorder, 27.2 million people having a drug use disorder, and 8 million people having both.
At Calming Currents Psychiatry, we are able to offer medication assisted treatment (MAT) in managing substance use disorders and addictions to substances like nicotine, alcohol, and opioids. Additionally, we can provide other evidence-based treatment recommendations and referrals to local organizations that can provide in-depth support for people struggling with substance use disorders.
Check out Part 2 of this blog coming soon on Treatment Options for Substance Use Disorders & Addictions.
For more information regarding substance use disorders and addictions, check out the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration here: https://www.samhsa.gov/
Reference: HHS Press Office. (2023, November 13). HHS, SAMHSA Release 2022 National Survey on Drug Use and Health Data. HHS.gov. https://www.hhs.gov/about/news/2023/11/13/hhs-samhsa-release-2022-national-survey-drug-use-health-data.html