There’s a strong correlation between mental illness and substance abuse. In some cases, the substance abuse induces a mental illness and in other instances, those with underlying mental disorders can resort to abusing substances to self-medicate.
Trauma, chronic stress, anxiety and depression (and many other factors like peer pressure etc) are the common causes of substance abuse. If one has an underlying mental disorder, the use of substances tends to exacerbate the problem and in some cases, it could even lead to permanent brain damage.
When one is genetically predisposed or has a mental illness they are likely to develop a strong dependency on substances. When one has underlying trauma, anxiety and depression, they are also likely to develop a strong dependency.
But then even if there is no genetic susceptibility or an underlying mental issue, one is still very likely to develop a dependency and be addicted to a substance if there is continuous use, because of the impairment in the brain’s release of chemicals such as dopamine and serotonin.
When this happens and because of the abnormal amounts of dopamine and serotonin release to the brain, its cognitive functionalities are inadvertently impacted, and tolerance is inevitably developed and which is essentially why then one becomes addicted.
And the intense withdrawal one experiences when the substances wear off is what prompts continuous use. And the more one uses a substance, the deeper they fall into the pits of addiction, where their only way to temporarily escape is through the use of their preferred substance.
This is a point where they neglect every other important thing in their lives and solely focus on getting the next hit and are willing to even do everything humanly possible to ensure they get hold of their preferred substance when the need to use it arises. And sometimes that means stealing from people, selling your body, manipulating, pawning your possessions and engaging in all sorts of other extreme and often illegal behaviour just to get a fix.
The good news is that addiction is treatable. The good news is that mental illnesses are manageable. Through treatment and rehabilitation one can gain back full control of their lives and again be contributing and productive members of society.
Gugulethu ‘GK’ Khoza is recovering addict who has turned his life around and will regularly share his experiences to inspire and help young men recover from addiction. More of his stories to follow.
PHOTO by @naba_labolova
