Is Substance Abuse A Mental Disorder? Essay

Substance abuse disorders is easily defined when an “individual continues to use the substance despite experiencing negative consequences from their use. These negative consequences can include health problems; difficulties in their family, work, and social life; and financial and legal problems. They are said to be dependent on the substance when,” in addition to theses negative consequences, they build tolerance and experience withdrawal if they stop using the drug” (Martin, 2007, p. 265). Substance abuse dates back to the early Americans colonies with beer that was brought over by the pilgrims and more popularly the ratification of the Constitution to prohibit the use of alcohol

Just as complex as the trillions of cells that keep our bodies functioning are the effects and correlations of mental health and substance use disorders. The effect of substance use disorder and psychiatric illnesses impact individuals biologically, psychologically, and sociologically, however, the correlation among mental illnesses and substance use disorders are not clearly defined. Due to a lack of knowledge of substance use as a disorder and the correlation with mental health, the individuals who suffer from these conditions are marginalized and pushed to tattered edges of their social strata. Mental health and substance use disorder can create devastating effects on the individuals as well as their micro, meso, exo, and macrosystems, which perpetuate the negative effects and realities of these individuals. In our current times with the mass amount of substance use the plagues our society, and the continued high volume of mental health, it is critical that we gain an understanding of the correlation between mental health and substance use disorders to better treat and support those whose realties are filled with unknown pain and exile. Mental health and substance use disorder and their affects are clearly related, however, the question that remains is whether or not substance use disorders can create the manifestation of mental illnesses?

Policy makers and researchers have paid attention to behavioral health problems due to significant burden of morbidity and disability, as well as health care cost. The term behavioral health refers to a state of mental or emotional being and choices and actions that affect wellness. It encompasses both mental health and substance use, including such as depression, substance abuse or misuse, serious psychological distress, and suicide (Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, 2011). In 2012, an estimated 16 million adults aged 18 or older in the U.S. had at least one major depressive episode in the past year. This represented 6.9 percent of all U.S. adults (Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, 2013). People with mental and substance abuse disorders may find difficulties to maintain interpersonal relations, find and sustain employment, and care for themselves and family members because behavioral health problem may affect individual’s ability to function in daily life. Although mental health problems are both common and important in general population, they are especially common in women than men (Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, 2013), and in particular in individuals who are socially disadvantaged (Heflin & Iceland, 2009).

The article, DSM-5 Criteria for Substance Use Disorders: Recommendations and Rationale, discusses the reasoning behind changes that occurred in the DSM-5 in regards to substance use. The article discusses the reasoning as well as the research for redefining terms and the addition (and removal) of certain criteria. One of the notable changes was combining dependence and abuse rather than keeping them as two separate components of addiction. Additionally, the criterions in assessing addiction were revised. Consensus among “DSM-5 Substance Related Disorders Work Group” led them to drop criteria of legal problems while adding craving of drug of choice. The work group modified diagnostic criteria, the revision now requires that two or more criteria

ized. It is a devastating disease with serious social consequences and a relatively high death rate (Volkow, K. 2015). If untreated, substance abuse can develop into alcoholism or drug dependence. It is very important to recognize the symptoms and signs of substance abuse early (www.ncadd.org). It can be difficult to diagnose a drug or alcohol problem, and it takes time to determine what might be a drug or alcohol problem and what might be a mental disorder (Kane, G. 2015).

Living with in poverty with a mental illness and a substance abuse problem is not an easy job. The struggles of life as well as a traumatic event can cause a person brain to malfunction. There is approximately 27 % of the United States population that fits the criteria for a mental illness. Mental illness, substance abuse, and poverty go hand and hand. However, health care providers call mental illness and substance use a dual diagnosis or a co-occurring disorder when combined. Dual diagnosis is a very broad subject, not just one type of disorder. For instance, a person that has experienced a traumatic event in life and have continually relived it. This is called Post traumatic stress, which is an anxiety disorder. This can happen to a person that has be raped, in an accident, or witnessed or has been a victim of a violent crime, or even abused. The person will continue to relive the incident and every time they think about the incident they can become overwhelmed, anxious, with the same fear as they did when the incident took place. There are many problems that are associated with a person that has a dual disorder. For example, a person can suffer from major depression and not be able to resume a normal life. The symptoms of depression, anxiety and fear often appear maybe a few months after the traumatic event or even years later. Furthermore, people that have these traumatic experience may start to drink heavily or become addicted to illegal drugs. May scholars have

The article explains how individuals with substance abuse disorders have occurred with a serious mental health illness in their lives. Since these individuals are not receiving the proper treatment needed to help with their co-occurring disorders. They are continuing to have mental illness and substance abuse disorder. The authors suggests for people with these co-occurring disorders to give treatments in order to view their pattern with their substance abuse.

To begin with, defining substance use disorder and substance induced disorder for clarity and comprehension is essential. In addition, substance disorders are categorized by DSM-5 combined with DSM-IV as substance use disorder and substance-induced disorder. “Both, which are categorized as a single disorder and measured as a continuum over a 12-month period of substance use, defined medically mild to severe, in context” (American Psychiatric Association, May, 2013). Therefore, the descriptive of substance use disorder is the behavior, which come about from the use of psychoactive drugs or choice of substances inhibiting disorders and patterns from the abusers. Next, substance-induced disorders are the results of psychiatric symptoms, which

When should drug use be considered a disorder rather than an accepted normality? Many have debated over the misuse of legal and illegal drugs, whereas there are numerous people that take ten different types of pills a day, there are those that never touch drugs, and then there are people that believe ‘harsher’ drugs can change the way you live life. Since countless of these household standards are practiced worldwide, the principles of what is deemed ‘normal’ might be harder to evaluate. The textbook definition of Tolerance is, “The diminishing effect with regular use of the same dose of a drug” (Myers, 2008), meaning in most cases it causes the body to need a higher dosage in order to feel the drugs effect. Addiction is a strong and harmful need to regularly have something or do something. There are many types of psychoactive drugs, however the main three are noted as, Depressants, Stimulants, and Hallucinogens. Depressants are drugs that slow our body functions and reaction times. Things such as alcohol and opiates are considered depressants because they slow neural activity. Stimulants however, are the opposites of depressants; they cause erratic neural function and they speed up the body’s functioning processes. There are lots of stimulants in today’s culture. We have legalized stimulants in society such as nicotine, and caffeine that are highly addictive but still have been proven relatively safe. Then there are illegal or regulated stimulants that are on the more

Drug addicts may be dependent on their specific drug of choice due to many reasons. Some may be beyond their control. Other reasons may include personal and/or family issues. None the less, there are many contributing factors that may compel and individual to seek a healing process in drugs. Busch, Weiss & Najavits (2005) state, “ individuals that have been diagnosed with mental illnesses such as anxiety disorder, depression, bipolar disorder, and schizophrenia may also be drug users.” Although some of the individuals who meet this special population may be severely mentally ill, there are certain treatments that may offer a hope for overcoming addiction. Furthermore, Busch, Weiss & Najavits (2005) indicate, “psychosocial treatments such as cognitive behavioral therapy and psychopharmacological treatments may be helping factors in helping the drug user overcome addiction.

This paper is designed to implement the ideology of substance misuse and addiction and how they are formed, specifically relying on integral matters from the external world, as well as the consciousness of one’s own mental health. In doing so, we unveil the framework of how substance dependency and addiction impact the daily lives of the individuals affected by this and the path that is initiated as a result. Therefore, when analyzing the structure of substance misuse, it is essential to seek the importance behind what facilitates the continuation of addiction, including alcoholism. Additionally, recognizing each key point for a broader understanding and sensible recollection on what it means to treat and prevent substance misuse and addiction. Moreover, we’ll be interpreting and understanding the analysis and research conducted in attaining a generalized definition and classification of various types of substance misuse and addiction.

Addiction is a difficult disease that involves several different factors including biological, psychological and sociological aspects. Anderson (1997) states that substance use refers generally to the ingestion of illicit drugs such as marijuana, cocaine, opiates, barbiturates, benzodiazepines, PCP, amphetamines, etc. The use of illicit drugs, such as alcohol and nicotine, are less frequently included in this definition, despite their widespread use and undisputed potential for harm. Substance abuse, however, is a more value-laden term which implies substance use, probably over time, which is somehow detrimental or harmful. Thus, substance use need not constitute substance abuse, although they often coexist. Wormer, Davis (2010) indicates

Rassool (2011) defines addiction as “any behaviour, activity, substance, object or thing that has taken control of an individual’s life-style, that is causing harm to the individual and family” (p4). The majority of us are exposed to a range of addictive behaviours that impact on individuals and families across socio-economic and cultural areas, and it has been argued that we now live in an addictive society (Rassool, 2011). Addiction is useful in enhancing our scientific understanding of human behaviour due to its classification via the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual 5th edition (DSM-5), which is the standard classification of mental disorders. It is used for clinical, research and policy purposes and has a large influence on the diagnosis and treatments of disorders across many countries (Hasin et al, 2013). Another way in which addiction can be measured is using the Dependence Syndrome. According to Edwards and Ross (1976), elements of the syndrome include; increased tolerance to alcohol, avoidance of withdrawal symptoms, compulsion to drink, and rapid relapse after abstinence. These measurements of addiction aid our scientific understanding of human behaviour because they allow for a more reliable and valid diagnosis, consequently impacting treatment and thus, enhancing psychologists’

A substance, otherwise known as a “drug”, alters mental states such as mood, perception or consciousness when taken by a living organism (Fuhr, 1978). In the latest edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5) substance abuse, also known as addiction, is considered a disease (Griffin, 2015).

Mental health is just as important as physical health, make your mental health a priority. Mental health includes our emotional, psychological and social well being (“What is Mental Health?” 2017). According to the World Health Organization (WHO), substance abuse refers to the harmful or hazardous use of psychoactive substances, including alcohol and illicit drugs. There is an obvious relationship between mental health and substance abuse and often times persons suffering from a mental illness may abuse drugs or alcohol. The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Administration (SAMHSA), indicated that in 2012, 76% of persons with mental issues abused drugs while 13.2% of sane persons abused drugs. From these statistics, we can conclude that most of the persons abusing drugs were suffering from some sort of mental health disorder. When someone experiences mental health and substance abuse simultaneously, it is referred to as co-occurring disorder or dual diagnosis. Connections between mental health and substance abuse would include self-medication, drug abuse from adolescent years into adulthood and also diagnosed patients taking medication for their mental health.