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https://drugabusestatistics.org/

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Alcohol can cause different emotional responses in different people. Some people become chatty and confident when they've had a drink. Others can crave intimacy and closeness with other people. Alcohol can make some people more emotional than usual, causing them to cry more easily.

However, for some, alcohol can cause anger and aggression, which can become a real problem. Those struggling with anger management issues become unpredictable and unsafe, and even the smallest issues can cause them to lose their temper.

Here, we explore why some people get angry when they're intoxicated and provide tips on how to stop being aggressive when you've had a drink. We'll also look at the best ways to deal with a drunk person if you're ever on the receiving end of an alcohol-fuelled outburst.

Why does alcohol make me angry?

The effects of alcohol on our brains and bodies can be significant. These changes not only affect us physically, but can have an impact on our thoughts and behaviours. Drinking alcohol can result in:

Reduced inhibitions and impulse control

Alcohol reduces your inhibitions and your ability to control your impulses. This means that when you've had a drink, you can find it more difficult to resist the urge to act angrily, with little thought for the consequences. The urge to lash out might be sudden and forceful, and you may find it hard to control your anger.

Impaired cognitive functioning

Alcohol impairs your judgement, decision making and problem solving abilities, due to affecting the chemicals in your brain. These impairments can make it seem as though anger is the only response in certain situations, instead of being able to explore other, more reasonable reactions. It can also lead you to make poor choices, such as reacting aggressively instead of calmly.

It might also cause you to misread situations, resulting in you getting angry when you would normally be calm and rational. For example, if someone accidentally bumps into you at the bar, you might misinterpret this as an act of aggression, causing you to become confrontational and angry. If you were sober, you might be able to look at this logically instead, and accept it may have just been an accident.

Reduced empathy

Alcohol can also reduce feelings of empathy. This means that after having a drink, some people may be less able to see things from another person's point of view. They may have less tolerance and patience for others, which can lead to angry outbursts.

Risk factors

As well as the above, there are a number of risk factors that might make someone more likely to get angry when they're drunk. These include:

Being more prone to anger management issues when you're sober

Having friends or family who also get angry when they've had a drink

Drinking alcohol mixed with energy drinks

In addition, men are more likely than women to become angry or aggressive when they've had a drink.

Worried about your behaviour? Try cutting back

If someone has raised concerns over your drinking behaviours and anger issues, or if you've started to worry that alcohol might be a problem for you, now might be the time to change your drinking habits.

You can find tips on how to cut back on alcohol here.

How to stop being aggressive when drunk

1. Take a breath - before you react to something when you've had a drink, try to take a step back and think about the different ways you could respond in that situation. By taking the time to evaluate your actions, you might realise that anger isn't the answer. Ask yourself "how would 'sober me' react?"

2. Avoid binge drinking - binge drinking can make it more likely that you'll get angry when you're under the influence of alcohol. By consciously pacing yourself when you're drinking, you will end up drinking a bit less and will have better control over your emotions

3. Practise relaxation techniques - certain techniques, such as mindfulness, can not only help you to relax more during tense situations, but can also help you to be more self-aware. This can help you to make better choices and be able to recognise and manage your feelings of anger or aggression when they arise

4. Take ownership after the event - the next day when you're filled with shame, remorse or embarrassment, instead of avoiding how you feel, it does help to really reflect on what happened when you had a drink, as uncomfortable as that may seem. Try talking it through with a trusted friend or objectively with a trained therapist. Are there actually underlying anger issues that manifest when drinking, as a result of stress, grief and loss, trauma or depression? The more we process what happens, the better chance we have of avoiding repeating such behaviour. By reflecting on your anger, you'll be able to recognise what happens when you drink too much, which can help you to change

While the above tips can help, the most effective way to ensure that you're not getting aggressive when under the influence of alcohol is to cut back on your drinking or take steps to give it up completely. Not only will this mean that you're more able to keep your anger under control, but it will also result in numerous other health benefits.

At Priory, our residential alcohol addiction treatment programmes have been specifically designed to help you to overcome your dependence on alcohol and get back on track. We offer a medically assisted alcohol detox, where we can help you to manage your withdrawal symptoms as you stop drinking, as well as intensive addiction therapy to help you to change your behaviours.

How to deal with an angry drunk

It's important to remember that trying to get a drunk person to see reason can be pointless because drinking causes the part of the brain that's involved in this (the pre-frontal cortex), to stop functioning correctly.

If you're on the receiving end of a drunken, angry outburst, there are a number of things you can do to manage the situation effectively and keep yourself safe:

1. Stay calm - don't react with anger or hostility as this might make the situation worse. Take a deep breath and stay in control of your own emotions

2. Walk away - sometimes, the best option when you're being confronted by an angry drunk person is to walk away. Removing yourself from the situation can prevent it from getting more aggressive and potentially violent

3. Distract the person - if you're able to, it can be a good idea to try and distract the angry person. This might be possible if you know the person well and understand their triggers. Distracting them might simply be a case of changing the subject or encouraging them to leave a situation that's triggering their anger

Be aware that telling someone to calm down may antagonise them further. Try to validate/acknowledge what they are saying (you don't have to agree with them), affirm you will talk about this later (but saying "when you have sobered up" could inflame the situation even more), and then try to make a safe exit when you can. This means that you're not feeding into, justifying or trying to combat the person's anger, or emotionally engaging with someone who isn't able to think reasonably.

Are you worried that your partner drinks too much? If someone you're close to has a drinking problem and tends to gets angry when they've had a drink, you can read more about the dos and don'ts of dealing with an alcoholic partner.

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Exploring the reasons why and how alcohol can fuel anger issues.

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mental health, aggression in students source

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mental health, aggression in students source

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Abstract

Background

Addiction is a social problem and a destructive phenomenon; like other social diversions, addiction destroys the country's most valuable assets, which are obviously the youth and the adolescents. In this regard, this study has been performed with the aim of comparing the mental health, aggression, and hopefulness of student drug-users and healthy students.

Methods

The study has been performed by descriptive-analytical method among students of Kerman's universities in Iran. The study sample contained 520 people who were selected using a stratified random sampling method. Three questionnaires including General Health Questionnaire (GHQ-28), Buss-Perry Aggression Questionnaire (BPAQ) and Miller Hopefulness questionnaire have been used for data gathering. In this study, the student drug-users are those who use a substance (cigarettes, hookah, alcohol, opium, etc.) at least once a week.

Findings

Findings showed that out of the 520 people under-study, 34.62% (180 people) are drug users, by whom the percentages of different substances used are as following: Hookah: 38.33%; Cigarettes: 28.35%; Alcohol: 20.55%; Opium: 5.55%; Cannabis: 2.23%; Heroin: 1.12%; Crack: 0.55%; Glass: 1.66 % and Psychotropic Pills and Ecstasy: 1.66%. A significant difference was observed in comparing the mental health, aggression, and hopefulness of student drug-users and healthy students (P < 0.05), so that the student drug-users had lower mental health and hopefulness and showed more aggression than the healthy group.

Conclusion

Substance abuse endangers the mental health of people and drug-users show more aggression and are less hopeful.

Keywords: Mental health, Aggression, Hopefulness

Introduction

Addiction is considered to be a chronic mental disorder that due to its progressive nature in all aspects of life, its adverse effects can be seen clearly on the patient's mental, physical, social, emotional, spiritual and cognitive health. 1 In recent years, increase in the rate of substance (drug) use, age reduction of substance abuse onset, emerging of dangerous diseases like AIDS and its relation with drug use, increase in the number of drug-related prisoners and the resulting devastating personal, social, educational, economic, cultural consequences together 2 with the introduction of other new synthetic or laboratory substances, such as X pills, glass, crack and etcetera..., to the drug market and their popularity among some youth has lead to the addiction problem becoming one of the most important and serious priorities of all the planners and officials in all social areas. 3

Based on recent statistics of addicts, one million and 200 thousand drug addicts live in the country, of which, five percent use synthetic and hallucinogenic drugs. 4 The annual growth rate of addiction in the country is about 8%, while the annual population growth rate is about 6.2%; therefore, the number of addicts grows more than 3 times the population's growth per year. Moreover, the drug-users 20-24 ‬years old population has risen from 11.7% in1377 to17.3‬%. 5 The statistics also show that the rate of substance use among various communities, especially among adolescents and young adults has increased significantly in the recent decade. 6

The results of a performed research on 610 male students of pre-university level in the city of Kerman showed the the amount of drugs used by the students as following: Cigarettes: 34.6%; Hookah:51.5%; Alcohol: 37.7%; Sedatives: 40.7%; Ecstasy:6.6%; Cannabis:6.7%; Heroin: 4.9%; Opium:8.7% and Snus: 9.7%. 7

Research results show that addicts have a lower mental health level, 8, 9 are more aggressive 10, 11 and less hopeful 12 than non-addicts. The most common psychiatric disorders among drug users include borderline personality and anti-social disorders, depression, hopelessness, anxiety, 13 paranoia, aggression, schizoid, 14 low tolerance level, intense feelings of inferiority and dependence. 15 Aggression and maladaptive behaviors are associated with drug use onset. 16 The mental health of smoker students is less than the non-smoker students. 17 37% of those who abuse alcohol and 53% of patients with drug abuse suffer from at least one serious mental illness. 18 The findings of a research performed on 172 addicts (162 males and 10 females) with the mean age of 32 years showed that the most common psychological problems of participants in the research was feeling of anxiety, frustration and loneliness. The 68.8% of patients suffer from depression, 56.4% show aggression and 26.3% of them have experienced suicidal ideas due to their frustration and loneliness. 19

Since the students play an important role in the economic and social development programs and management of community affairs, paying attention to their issues in different dimensions, particularly their mental aspect should not be neglected. Therefore, in this research, we decided to study the mental health, aggression and hopefulness among addicted and non-addicted students.

Methods

This study has been performed by a descriptive-analytical method. The Statistical population of the study consisted of all the male and female students of the universities of Kerman, which were collectively 39000 students in the academic year of 89-90. The number of the desired sample was determined as 520 subjects and the stratified random sampling method was used for sampling proportional to the population size. To collect information, a researcher-made questionnaire containing information on age, sex, approximate duration of drug use(less than 1 month, 2 to 3 months, 4 to 6 months, 7 to 12 months, 1 to 2 years and more than 2 years), onset of drug use, frequency of drug use per week(less than once per week, once per week, 2 to 3 times per week, 4 to 5 times per week, more than 5 times per week), family history of addiction and Mental Health Questionnaire (GHQ-28), Miller Hopefulness Questionnaire and Buss and Perry Aggression Questionnaire have been used. In this study, the student drug-users are considered as those who use drugs at least once per week (cigarettes, hookah, alcohol, opium, and etcetera).

Goldberg and Hillary Mental Health Questionnaire (GHQ-28): This questionnaire consists of four sub-scales of disturbance in physical symptoms, disturbance in sleep and anxiety, impairment in social functioning and depression, each of which has 7 questions. The scores below 23 of total in this questionnaire indicate high mental health; the scores between 23 and 37 indicate moderate mental health and the scores above 37 indicate a low mental health or having mental problems. The calculated validity coefficient of this questionnaire by Cronbach's alpha method has been reported for the entire test and its subscales, respectively, as 0.89, 0.76, 0.8, 0.5 and 0.85. 20 The performed studies in Iran have also calculated the validity of this questionnaire as good and excellent levels. 21

Miller Hopefulness Questionnaire: This test is a diagnostic test that contains 48 questions; it is an aspect of hopefulness and frustration that the mentioned items have been chosen based on overt or covert behavioral manifestations in hopeful or desperate people. The questionnaire range is based on the Likert scale (strongly disagree with score 1 ....strongly agree with score 5), in which each person scores by selecting a sentence that describes his conditions correctly. The range of obtained scores is variable from 48 to 240 and if one earns 48 scores, he is considered completely helpless and the score of 240 indicates maximum hopefulness. Scores below 144 indicate low hopefulness and scores above 144 show high hopefulness. 12 questions of Miller questionnaire (11, 13, 16, 18, 25, 27, 28, 31, 33, 34, 38 and 39) consist of negative items and their evaluation and scoring are calculated reversely. Many studies have reported acceptable validity 22 of the questionnaire and the reliability of the questionnaire has been calculated by Cronbach's alpha and bisection methods respectively as 0.9 and 0.89. 23

Buss-Perry Aggression Questionnaire: It is a self-reported instrument that contains 29 expressions and has four subscales as physical aggression, verbal aggression, anger and hostility. 24 The answers in this questionnaire are based on a 5-grade Likert scale (quite similar to me (5) ... is not similar to me at all (1) and items 9 and 16 have a reverse grading. The scores above 80 in the entire questionnaire indicate high aggression and the scores below 80 indicate low aggression. The Cronbach's alpha coefficient for total scores of questionnaire is 0.89 and is reported for subscales as physical aggression: 0.85; verbal aggression: 0.72; anger: 0.83 and hostility: 0.77. 25 The validity of the questionnaire has been noted as appropriate. 26, 27

Results

The types of drugs used by students and their frequencies are listed in table 1 .

Table 1

Used drug type

Frequency

Frequency Percentage

The statistical indicators of research variables are presented in table 2 .

Table 2

Variable

Average

SD

Minimum score

Maximum score

The results of table 3 shows that 180 of 520 studied students (34.62%) use drugs and 340 students (65.38%) are healthy. The table results suggest that there is a significant difference among mental health, aggression and hopefulness of healthy students and drug-using students (P < 0.001); in other words, the healthy students are more hopeful and mentally healthy and less aggressive than those using drugs.

Table 3

Variable

Drug-user students

Others

Frequency (%)

Frequency (%)

P-value

Discussion

The findings of this study showed that of the 520 cases studied, 34.62% (180 people) are drug-users; of this number, the percentages of the usage of different drugs are as following: hookah: 38.33%; cigarettes: 28.35%; alcohol: 20.55%; opium: 5.55%; cannabis: 2.23%; heroin: 1.12%; crack: 0.55%; glass: 1.66% and Ecstasy: 1.66%. This finding is consistent with the results of a study that has examined the prevalence of drug use among 827 students. The research findings suggest that 30.1% of students use drugs as following: cigarettes: 36.26%; alcohol: 17.4%; opium: 3.86%; cannabis: 2.78%; Ecstasy: 2.05%; heroin: 1.08%; crystal: 0.84%; morphine: 0.6% and other drugs: 06%. Another study showed that 24% of students use cigarettes, 34% use hookah, 17% use alcohol, 2.3% use opium, 2/2% use cannabis and 0.7% use ecstasy, which confirms the results of this research. 28

According to the study results, the mental health of drug-users is significantly less than the mental health of healthy and nondrug-users, which is consistent with the results of many studies. The results of researches showed that the life quality and mental health of drug addicts are less than non- addicts. There are significant differences between mental health components of healthy and addicted people. 8 Derek found that 53% of patients with substance abuse have at least one serious mental illness.31% of addicts in the sample had low mental health. To explain the reasons of suggesting such a hypothesis, we can mention factors such as more drug use by patients with mental disorders and reduction of people's skills in coping with substance abuse following the existing mental disorder and resulting easy tendency toward drug use. Besides high and staggering costs of substance abuse, it has many negative consequences such as mental disorders that are so difficult for addicts to control.

The research findings suggest that drug-users have more aggression than non-addicts. The results showed that phobia, hostility, aggression, anxiety, depression and disorder symptoms level are higher in addicts than non-addicts based on psychotic scales. 12 There is always a positive correlation between aggression and drug use. 29 Gera (2004) in his experimental study that was performed on 20 cases of heroin-dependent individuals and 20 healthy subjects concluded that violent responses were significantly higher in addicts compared to non-addicts. A significant relationship was found between drug exposure (history of substance abuse) and aggression level. The addicts show more aggressive behaviors and irritability. When the drug does not reach the addict's body or in other words, the addict experiences deprivation, he or she shows symptoms of mental imbalance in addition to physical symptoms. The prominent feature of this condition may be aggressiveness, impulsivity, and disturbed interpersonal relationships. Anxiety and depression are also among the main consequences of addiction or drug dependency, which themselves create a chain of other disorders. In addition, the addicted person thinks of how he or she appears to others and how he/she is being judged by the society. Therefore, the judgment of others makes him/her feel shame and this causes him/her to be aggressive and rebellious. Anger control training can be effective in reducing aggression in these patients and can cause them to show an effective and appropriate response to environmental stimuli. Moreover, these people can increase their restraint, feeling of self-efficacy and social skills using self-relaxation and positive self-talking.

Other results showed that hopefulness in healthy individuals is significantly more than drug-users. Research results showed that the most common mental health problems in patients with substance abuse include feelings of anxiety, despair and loneliness; a result which is consistent with the current study's findings. 12, 19 In explanation of this hypothesis we should say that a person, whose mental health is low, experiences despair and depression in dealing with important events in his/her life; so we can say that these two components are interdependent and man needs hope as a necessary factor to create positive and negative life situations that require compatibility and accordance; otherwise, he considers negative events as a threat to his safety and welfare, and tolerance in ambiguous and uncomfortable situations of life brings him to his knees and disrupts his normal life routine and finally, the person may tend to use drugs to relieve the tension caused by these problems.

This study has a limitation that should be considered in interpreting the results. In cross-sectional studies, considering the indeterminacy of temporal relationship, the causality cannot be realized and the role of cause and effect cannot be determined.

The findings of this research may help the policy-makers in addiction prevention issues, educational authorities, parents and counselors of drug addiction treatment and rehabilitation centers to anticipate and plan educational programs to increase the mental health and hopefulness and reduce aggression among the youth, especially those using drugs, in order to take further steps toward the improvement of the mental condition of society.

Footnotes

Conflicts of Interest

The Authors have no conflict of interest.

REFERENCES

1. Hojati H. Comprehensive overview of mental health. Tehran, Iran: Salemi; 2011. [ Google Scholar]

4. Zolghadr E. New Wave of Addiction to Industrial Drugs. Tehran, Iran: Hamshahri Daily: Health Special Publication; 2010. [ Google Scholar]

7. Ziaaddini H, Sharifi A, Nakhaee N, Ziaaddini A. The prevalence of at least one-time substance abuse among kerman pre-university male students. Addiction and Health. 2010;2(3-4):103-10. [[ PMC free article] [ PubMed] Google Scholar]

10. Jaffe A. Drug Use and Aggression: The Effect of Rumination and Other Person Related Variables. Long Beach, CA: California State University; 2005. [ Google Scholar]

17. Divsalar K, Nejadnaderi S, Nakhaee N, Rouhani S. Religious attitude associated with general health and smoking in Iranian students. Addiction and Health. 2010;2(1-2):1-8. [[ PMC free article] [ PubMed] Google Scholar]

25. Leonard RL. Aggression: Relationships with sex, gender role identity, and gender role stress [MA Thesis]. Johnson City, TN: East Tennessee State University; 2005. [ Google Scholar]

Articles from Addiction & Health are provided here courtesy of Kerman University of Medical Sciences

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Comparison of Mental Health, Aggression and Hopefulness between Student Drug-Users and Healthy Students (A Study in Iran)

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Addiction is a social problem and a destructive phenomenon; like other social diversions, addiction destroys the country's most valuable assets, which are obviously the youth and the adolescents. In this regard, this study has been performed with ...

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in many occurrences, drugs and alcohol can fuel bad behaviors and foul instances. many of these people who have addictions to drugs and alcohol are in risk of these behaviors and it's important to realize how to stop it.

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Substance use disorders (SUDs), a medical condition defined by the uncontrollable use of drugs and/or alcohol despite the negative consequences, have been associated with a range of adverse outcomes, including suicide, premature death, comorbid mental illness, and violence. ¹ In fact, research indicates that up to 75% of individuals who begin treatment for a SUD report having engaged in physical assault, mugging, using a weapon to attack another person, and other violent crimes. ²

The connection between drug addiction, alcoholism, and violence crosses many thresholds (individual psychology, public health, and domestic violence, to name a few), and is vitally important in understanding the scope of how controlled substances can affect people.

Statistics on Substance Abuse and Violence

Drug-related violence statistics include the following: ³⁻⁷

In 2016, alcohol caused approximately 90,000 domestic violence deaths worldwide.

Alcohol or drug use is involved in 40-60% of domestic abuse situations.

More than half of individuals who abuse their elder parents (age 60 or older) are dependent on alcohol or drugs.

Each year, about 300,000 victims of violent assaults report that their attackers were under the influence of alcohol.

Alcohol plays a role in 32% of all murders in the United States.

Chronic substance users have a greater risk of dying by suicide.

Risk Factors and Causes

Substance abuse is the largest precipitator of violence in adults and adolescents, but there are other factors that impact an individual's behavior and contribute to a person's aggressive tendencies. Risk factors tend to exist in a cluster rather than isolation. Thus risk factors for aggressive behaviors may stem from a combination of factors, including: 8,9,10

Age. Younger people tend to have higher rates of aggression.

Co-occurring mental health problems. Individuals exhibiting current symptoms of depression tend to act aggressively.

Gender. Males tend to exhibit more aggressive tendencies than women.

A family history of drug or alcohol abuse.

Adverse childhood experiences. Violent youths tend to have violent parents.

Genetic predisposition. A study attributes the cause of aggression to genetic predisposition.

Antisocial attitudes and beliefs. Research indicates that adolescents with antisocial or delinquent peers may be dishonest, break rules, or be hostile toward others.

Location. Children who grow up in disadvantaged neighborhoods plagued with violence, drug use, and crime are at an increased risk of becoming violent.

Alcohol Use and Violence

Alcohol consumption is more closely associated with violent behavior than any other substance. ⁶ In fact, severe alcohol intoxication-by the perpetrator, victim, or both-plays a part in nearly half of all violent crimes and sexual assaults. ⁶

As indicated above, intoxication alone does not cause violence, but it may increase the likelihood for violent behavior in some individuals. Researchers have a few theories, including: 2,11,12

1. The disinhibition hypothesis. Alcohol encourages people to engage in behaviors they would typically suppress, like aggression. This is because alcohol disrupts normal brain function and consequently weakens the areas that control impulses and urges.

2. Alcohol myopia. An intoxicated individual's focus narrows like a camera lens, only bringing a small frame into focus. For some, this narrowed view leads to misperception. A bump in a bar, for instance, may be perceived as an act of hostility.

3. Cognitive function impairment. Alcohol interrupts cognitive processing, making it difficult to problem-solve, control anger, and make good decisions-all of which influence how an individual responds to a situation.

4. The consideration of future consequences. Research indicates that individuals who ignore future consequences and focus on the here-and-now are more aggressive when intoxicated.

Take Our Substance Abuse Self-Assessment

Take our free, 5-minute substance abuse self-assessment below if you think you or someone you love might be struggling with substance abuse. The evaluation consists of 11 yes or no questions that are intended to be used as an informational tool to assess the severity and probability of a substance use disorder. The test is free, confidential, and no personal information is needed to receive the result.

Drug Use and Violence

The correlation between substance abuse and violent behavior has been well documented. One study found that more than 26% of respondents who reported using alcohol, cannabis, and cocaine in a 12-month period, also reported committing a violent crime within the same time frame. 13

Some individuals use aggressive techniques to steal money to buy more drugs; others may be involved in the drug-trafficking, which often leads to violent crimes. 13 For others, violence is a long-term side effect of the substance they abuse. Individuals addicted to methamphetamine, for instance, may suffer from anxiety, confusion, insomnia, mood disorders, and aggressive or violent behavior. ¹⁴

In addition, the psychological risks associated with cocaine use include violent, erratic, or paranoid behavior. Similarly, hallucinogens may cause unpredictable, erratic, and violent behavior that can lead to serious injury or even death. ¹⁵

Impacts and Effects

Substance abuse can lead to an increase in domestic violence, sexual assault, suicide attempts, and other aggressive behaviors.

Domestic Violence and Substance Abuse

Domestic violence includes verbal, emotional, and physical intimidation; and can be delivered in the form of threats, destroying another's possessions; hurting pets; forced sexual acts; and physical acts (including hitting, hair pulling, punching, slapping, and more) to hurt spouses, parents, stepparents, children, siblings, other relatives, and intimate partners. Research indicates that: ¹⁶

Between 25% and 50% of men who commit acts of domestic violence also suffer from SUDs.

80% of child abuse cases involve the use of drugs and alcohol.

Women who abuse alcohol and other drugs are more likely to be victims of domestic violence.

Suicide and Substance Abuse

There are several factors that impact suicidal behavior in individuals, but substance use-and especially alcohol use-has been linked to a significant number of suicides and suicide attempts.

The World Health Organization defines suicide as a form of "self-directed violence." In a 2019 survey, 63,000 people aged 18 or older who reported alcohol use in the past month, attempted suicide. Approximately 24,000 of those respondents admitted to heavy alcohol use in the past month. Furthermore, the same survey found that 80,000 respondents, who had attempted suicide in 2019, used alcohol or illicit drugs in the past year and 54,000, who attempted suicide, used both alcohol and illicit drugs in the past year. ¹⁷

Furthermore, severe intoxication is present in about 30% to 40% of suicide attempts. Research indicates that alcohol dependence is associated with a suicide risk that is 10 times greater than the suicide risk in the general population, and individuals who abuse illicit drugs by injection are at a suicide risk 14 times higher than the general population. ¹⁸

Other data found alcohol above the legal limit in 22% of suicides, heroin, and other prescription painkillers in 20% of suicides, cannabis in 10.2% of suicides, and cocaine or amphetamines present in approximately 8% of suicide deaths in 2016. ¹⁸

Crime and Substance Abuse

Crime is closely associated with SUDs. Research suggests that among prison populations, alcohol abuse and dependence were found in 18% to 30% of men and 10% to 24% of women. Similarly, drug abuse and dependence were found in 10% to 48% of men and 30% to 60% of women. ¹⁹ Studies indicate that violent offenders are more likely to abuse sedatives and alcohol. ¹⁹

Sexual Assault and Substance Abuse

Estimates show that about half of all sexual assaults that take place on college campuses involve alcohol by the perpetrator, victim, or both. ²⁰Alcohol, however, doesn't cause sexual assault, it's a contributing factor for sexual aggression. Men who have reported binge and heavy alcohol consumption are more likely than other men to report committing sexual assault, one study found. ²¹

As mentioned above, alcohol alters perceptions and lowers inhibitions. One study asked sober men to read a story about a man forcing a date to have sex. Participants revealed that they would be more likely to act like the man in the story when they were intoxicated. ²¹

Besides alcohol, other drug use is associated with an increased risk of sexual violence. A study of young opioid users found that 41% of female participants and 11% of male participants reported being forced to have sex without their consent while they were using drugs. ²²

Treatment for SUD and Violent Behavior

Effective treatment for individuals with a SUD and violent behaviors include programs and services to address their addiction-which may include detoxification, inpatient rehab, or outpatient treatment-and support services to help them confront their aggressive tendencies.

Though intake protocols at most SUD treatment facilities include mental disorder screenings to assess an individual's risk of suicide, violence to others, inability to care for themselves, risky behaviors, and the danger of physical or sexual victimization, among other things, it's impossible for every facility to address every need of every individual needing treatment. ¹⁶

It might require a variety of agencies or resources to help support an individual's varied needs, including substance abuse treatment, mental health counseling, aggression support groups, anger management, parenting training, legal help, and more. In domestic violence situations, for instance, support groups become part of the treatment or aftercare plan for both victims (survivor support groups) and perpetrators (batterers' intervention programs). ¹⁶ This may be done through referrals to other community programs or specialized facilities. In fact, one study found that the most effective treatment for individuals with a SUD and a history of domestic violence provided addiction services and batterers' intervention simultaneously, but in separate programs. ²³

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How to Help Someone with a SUD and Violent Behaviors

Your personal safety needs to be your number one priority. If you have a loved who struggles with drug and alcohol use and tends to be violent, don't approach them alone. Seek help from a health care provider, mental health professional, or law enforcement.

Programs exist to help you find safety and healing if you've been the victim of physical, mental, emotional, or sexual abuse, including resources for shelter or other housing.

Ways to Get in Contact With Us

If you believe you or someone you love may be struggling with addiction, let us hear your story and help you determine a path to treatment.

There are a variety of confidential, free, and no obligation ways to get in contact with us to learn more about treatment.

Sources

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2. Ilgen, Mark, Ph.D., Kleinberg, Felicia, M.S.W. (January 20, 2011). The Link Between Substance Abuse, Violence, and Suicide. Psychiatric Times, 28(1).

3. Easton, Caroline J., Ph.D. (January 1, 2006). The Role of Substance Abuse in Intimate Partner Violence. Psychiatric Times, 25(1).

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6. Bushman, Brad J., Ph.D., Giancola, Peter R., Ph.D., Parrott, Dominic J., Ph.D., and Roth, Robert M., Ph.D. (2012). Failure to Consider Future Consequences Increases the Effects of Alcohol on Aggression. Journal of Experimental Social Psychology, 48(2), 591-595.

7. National Institute on Drug Abuse. What are the long-term effects of methamphetamine misuse?

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10. Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. (2020). National Survey on Drug Use and Health.

11. Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. (2016). Substance Use and Suicide: A Nexus Requiring a Public Health Approach.

12. Håkansson, Anders and Jesionowska, Virginia. (2018). Associations between substance use and type of crime in prisoners with substance use problems-a focus on violence and fatal violence. Substance Abuse and Rehabilitation, 9, 1-9.

13. National Institute on Drug Abuse. (2016). Sexual Assault and Alcohol: What the Research Evidence Tells Us.

14. National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism. Alcohol and Sexual Assault.

15. Jessell, Lauren, LMSE, Mateu-Gelabert, Pedro, Ph.D., Guarino, Honoria, Ph.D., Vakharia, Sheila P., LMSW, Ph.D., Syckes, Cassandra, MA, Goodbody, Elizabeth, BA, Ruggles, Kelly V., Ph.D., and Friedman, Sam, Ph.D. (2017). Sexual Violence in the Context of Drug Use Among Young Adult Opioid Users in New York City. Journal of Interpersonal Violence, 32(19), 2,929-2,954.

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How Drugs & Alcohol Can Fuel Violent Behaviors

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Understanding how drugs & alcohol can fuel violent behaviors is important. Learn about the relationship between drugs and violence now.

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according to the national institute on drug abuse, "individuals with anxiety are twice as likely to suffer from substance abuse as the general population". they might do it because of

Self-managing symptoms

Biochemical factors

Genetic predisposition

Effects of substance abuse or withdrawal

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What are anxiety disorders?

Unlike the normal, healthy reactions that everyone experiences in response to stressful or dangerous situations, clinical anxiety is characterized by persistent, often unfounded fears that can interfere with work, close relationships, and social activities. The symptoms of anxiety can be both physical and psychological, and addressing these symptoms requires a multidisciplinary approach to treatment.

In an effort to cope with their symptoms, it is not uncommon for people with anxiety disorders to misuse alcohol or drugs. In fact, the National Institute on Drug Abuse estimates that individuals with anxiety are twice as likely to suffer from substance abuse as the general population. Unfortunately, attempts at self-medication often backfire by intensifying the effects of this psychiatric condition. Alcohol and drug use can worsen the psychological and physical symptoms of anxiety, reinforcing the need to use more of these substances in order to function normally. The result is a cycle of substance abuse that can lead to chemical dependence and addiction.

Types of Anxiety Disorders

Anxiety can manifest itself in many ways, from a vague sense of continuous dread to a specific, paralyzing fear. There are several types of anxiety disorders, and each requires a multifaceted approach to treatment. Listed below are some of the most frequently diagnosed anxiety disorders:

Generalized anxiety disorder (GAD): In this form of anxiety, the individual suffers from an almost continuous sense of dread that has no specific focus. With GAD, worries move from one topic to another without any apparent connection. People with GAD may dismiss their fixations as "typical worries," but in reality, their fears are much more powerful and pervasive than the concerns that we all face on a regular basis. Yet no matter how powerful they may be, these fears often have little or no basis in reality.

Social anxiety disorder (SAD): People with social anxiety disorder - also known as social phobia - have an unreasonable fear of interacting with others. Fears of appearing in crowded places, participating in social activities, speaking before an audience, and other interactions with the public are typical of this common condition, which affects nearly 15 million American adults, according to the Anxiety and Depression Association of America. SAD may go hand in hand with other anxiety-related disorders, such as panic disorder, which can cause episodes of intense fear in public places, or agoraphobia, the fear of places or situations that make the individual feel helpless or out of control.

Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD): This anxiety disorder can develop after an individual experiences a traumatic event, such as military combat, a natural disaster, a violent crime, or a sexual assault. The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs estimates that about 8 million Americans who experience trauma will manifest symptoms of PTSD, a condition characterized by flashbacks to the event, nightmares, irritability or anger, insomnia, and hypervigilance or paranoia.

Panic disorder: Episodes of overwhelming, uncontrollable terror are the hallmark sign of panic disorder. Although panic attacks are rarely fatal, a person suffering from one of these episodes may feel an overpowering sense of doom and impending death. Physical symptoms may include hyperventilation, a rapid heartbeat, sweating, dizziness, nausea and vomiting, chest pain, a feeling of choking, and other unnerving side effects. Like other anxiety-related responses, these panic attacks usually are not founded in any real source of danger. In fact, the fear of having a panic attack in public is one of the most common triggers for these episodes. Psychology Today states that approximately 1 million people experience panic attacks each year, with each episode lasting an average of 10 minutes.

Specific phobias: The irrational, debilitating fear of a particular object, situation, or animal is considered to be a specific phobia. People with this form of anxiety will go out of their way to avoid the object of their fear, even if this avoidance interferes with their everyday lives. Some of the most common specific phobias include the fear of enclosed spaces (claustrophobia), the fear of flying (aviophobia), and the fear of heights (acrophobia). The National Institute of Mental Health states that nearly 9 percent of adults in the US experience a specific phobia in any 12-month period, and that approximately 22 percent of these cases could be classified as severe.

Signs and Symptoms

Although anxiety takes many forms, all of the anxiety disorders have certain signs and symptoms in common. Some of the key warning signs of an anxiety disorder include:

An intrusive fear - either general or specific - that occurs on most days of the week for six months or more

A decline in the quality of relationships, job performance, social activities, or overall satisfaction with life as a result of this fear

Repeated attempts to resolve the fears without success

The use of substances such as alcohol, drugs, or tobacco, or behaviors such as overeating, to manage anxiety symptoms

Anxiety can also have a direct influence on the body. People with anxiety may have strong physical responses to situations or objects that do not seem intrinsically dangerous or threatening. These responses may even seem life-threatening under certain circumstances:

Shortness of breath

Sweating or clamminess

Rapid heartbeat

Insomnia

Chest pain

Choking sensations

Trembling

Nausea

Stomach pain

Dizziness

In order to meet the diagnostic criteria for an anxiety disorder, the individual must experience the symptoms on most days of the week for six months or more.
However, people whose lives are affected by disabling fear should not wait to seek professional help. With the right combination of therapies, anxiety can be treated.

Find Dual Diagnosis Treatment Centers

Most of our facilities are qualified dual diagnosis treatment centers that are prepared to help you or a loved one if they have a substance abuse issue in addition to a mental health disorder.

Underlying Causes

Although there are many theories about the root sources of anxiety, researchers are still exploring the causes of these complex disorders. In many cases, an anxiety disorder may develop as a result of multiple factors, such as:

Family history: Having a parent or other close relative with an anxiety disorder can make a person more susceptible to these conditions, notes Mayo Clinic.

History of trauma: Experiencing a traumatic event, such as child abuse or exposure to violence, increases the risk of developing an anxiety-related condition like PTSD.

Substance abuse: The misuse of alcohol or drugs can cause neurological changes that may trigger or intensify anxiety. At the same time, anxiety can be a motivating factor in substance abuse.

Overexposure to stress: Individuals who are constantly exposed to high levels of stress - emotional, psychological, or physical - are more likely to show symptoms of an anxiety disorder.

Other mental illnesses: Psychiatric disorders often go hand in hand with anxiety. Someone with depression, for example, is more likely to suffer from an anxiety disorder than an individual with no other existing mental health issues.

Anxiety and Substance Abuse

Substance abuse is more common in people with anxiety disorders than in the general population. For example, anxiety disorders have been linked with higher lifetime rates of alcohol abuse and higher relapse rates after alcohol rehab, notes Psychiatric Times, and individuals with anxiety may also experience more severe withdrawal symptoms when they stop using alcohol or drugs.

The existence of a substance use disorder with an anxiety disorder or other form of mental illness is known as a dual diagnosis, or co-occurring disorders. There are several reasons why anxiety may trigger the need to misuse substances, or vice versa:

Self-managing symptoms: One of the most prevalent theories about the relationship between anxiety and substance abuse holds that individuals with anxiety disorders turn to alcohol or drugs in an effort to control their physical or psychological symptoms. For instance, a business manager with social anxiety disorder may use alcohol to cope with stressful presentations or meetings, putting the person at risk of chemical dependence and addiction.

Biochemical factors: Both anxiety disorders and substance use disorders may be related to chemical imbalances in the brain. For instance, low levels of serotonin, a neurotransmitter that regulates mood, energy levels, sleep, metabolism, and other functions, have been linked with both alcoholism and mental illness.

Genetic predisposition: There is some evidence that both addiction and anxiety disorders have a genetic component. People who are vulnerable to anxiety may also be prone to substance abuse and addiction if they come from a family where both conditions are common.

Effects of substance abuse or withdrawal: The misuse of drugs or alcohol can cause symptoms that resemble anxiety, such as nervousness, agitation, sleeplessness, irritability, and obsessive fears. When withdrawing from the effects of substances, individuals may experience anxiety, restlessness, and insomnia as the brain attempts to recover its chemical balance.

Helping a Loved One with Anxiety

Talking to a family member or friend about anxiety can be challenging, especially if substance abuse is involved. Both topics are very personal and sensitive, and it might seem easier to overlook these issues, hoping that they'll resolve on their own or that the individual will seek help independently. However, taking the initiative to express your concern to a loved one could be the factor that motivates the person to the next stage of recovery. Here are a few tips to keep in mind when talking to someone about drug or alcohol abuse and anxiety disorders:

Take a compassionate, nonjudgmental approach. Both addiction and mental illness can take a toll on the quality of relationships, job performance, and overall quality of life. Instead of focusing on the negative consequences of the individual's substance abuse, focus on the benefits of recovery and the positive consequences of healing.

Be prepared for denial or defensive behavior. Denial is a common symptom of addiction, and many people who are engaged in substance abuse will become defensive or hostile when they're approached about their problem. In addition, anxiety disorders like PTSD can cause paranoid thinking or delusional beliefs that make communication more difficult. An intervention may be more effective if two or more close friends or family members are involved. Crisis intervention specialists can also be valuable allies, especially if there is a potential for angry or violent reactions.

Remember that substance abuse and anxiety disorders are both disease processes. Drug and alcohol addiction were once considered to be signs of moral weakness, but now addiction is recognized as a chronic disease of the brain. Likewise, anxiety is not simply a feature of the personality, but a form of mental illness. Both anxiety and addiction can be treated with therapeutic interventions and the support of qualified professionals.

Offer specific solutions. When talking to someone about addiction, it is useful to be able to suggest specific recovery resources, such as the name of a therapist, physician, 12-Step group, or rehab facility that specializes in treating clients with dual diagnoses of anxiety and substance abuse.

Offer practical assistance as well as emotional support. In addition to reassuring your loved one of your care and concern, be prepared to provide practical help, such as going along to a 12-Step meeting, giving a ride to a therapist's office, or making the phone call to arrange detox.

Addiction is a progressive disease process that will continue to get worse without intervention, eventually leading to worsening health complications, disability, injury, or death. It is better to risk offending or angering a loved one than to let the process continue. Professional crisis intervention services are available to help friends and family members who need support in getting a loved on into treatment.

Treatment Options

According to the Anxiety and Depression Association of America, anxiety is highly treatable with a combination of therapy, behavioral modification strategies, and anti-anxiety medications. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy is one of the most effective therapeutic modalities for both the treatment of anxiety and chemical dependence. In Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, or CBT, clients learn how to identify and modify self-defeating thought patterns that make them anxious and fearful. Clients with a dual diagnosis of an anxiety disorder and substance abuse can use CBT to acquire new coping strategies that will help them maintain their recovery goals, even in the face of high-stress situations. CBT can be applied in individual therapy and in group therapy settings.

Anxiety disorders are often linked with unresolved experiences of trauma. Statistics from Harvard Medical School/McLean Hospital indicate that up to 34 percent of males and 59 percent of females in substance abuse treatment meet the criteria for PTSD. There are several therapeutic modalities that target the effects of trauma and help clients cope more effectively with the repercussions of emotional pain or loss. Seeking Safety is an integrated, present-focused approach to treating PTSD and addiction through a focus on discontinuing substance abuse, managing symptoms of both disorders, reducing self-destructive behaviors, and fostering more positive, life-affirming views of the future.

When combined with psychological and psychosocial therapies, medication can be a valuable tool in overcoming anxiety. Medications in the SSRI category (selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors) are frequently prescribed to treat the symptoms of anxiety and help these individuals lead more satisfying lives. Drugs in this category are generally considered safe and effective, and they have a low potential for abuse or addiction. SSRIs - which include medications like citalopram (Celexa), paroxetine (Paxil), and sertraline (Zoloft) - work by increasing the amount of serotonin available to the brain, thus reducing the negative thoughts and persistent worries associated with anxiety.

Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing, or EMDR, has had positive outcomes in the treatment of clients diagnosed with anxiety and substance use disorders. A study published in the Journal of Psychoactive Drugs showed that eight sessions of EMDR, combined with traditional treatment for patients with dual diagnoses, resulted in an improvement in PTSD and depressive symptoms. In EMDR, therapists work with clients to resolve past traumas by guiding them through a series of rapid eye movements that make new informational connections that help to resolve unprocessed memories. This therapy, which has been applied effectively to PTSD and other psychological disorders, aims to help patients overcome the emotional suffering caused by past events while restoring their hope for the future through positive ideals.

Individuals with a dual diagnosis require specialized treatment that addresses both issues. A comprehensive recovery program for co-occurring substance abuse and anxiety includes several levels of care, beginning with detox and continuing through residential or inpatient rehab, outpatient treatment, and aftercare. Family therapy, 12-Step involvement, and modalities such as equine-assisted therapy also assist in the recovery process by strengthening the individual's support system and reinforcing a sense of self-worth.

Integrated Treatment Solutions

Constant worry and fear are not just personality quirks; they are debilitating symptoms of a psychological condition that can be treated with a combination of research-based therapies. When anxiety is complicated by substance abuse, the need for effective recovery services becomes even more acute.

The solution to anxiety and substance abuse lies in comprehensive recovery programs that integrate services for mental health and addiction. While therapeutic interventions for anxiety were once kept separate from substance abuse treatment, research now shows that the most effective way to help clients with dual diagnoses is to provide integrated services that address both conditions at the same time.

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Treating Addiction with Anxiety Disorders

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More Americans suffer from anxiety disorders than from any other type of mental illness, with over 18 percent of adults in the US experiencing some form of anxiety. Learn about the causes of and treatments for co-occurring anxiety and substance abuse.

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Drug addiction recovery statistics give us a scope of substance abuse in America today. However, many people don't understand the process of recovery. Therefore, it's important to recognize each phase of the process and the importance each plays in recovery.

Detox in Recovery

For most people, the first step to rehabilitation is a detox program. Normally, this takes anywhere from five-to-seven days. During detox, our supportive staff will oversee a client's detoxification off a substance or alcohol. Weaning off a drug can be dangerous without proper medical supervision. Specifically, it's best to enter a medical detox facility where you will receive proven treatment, therapy, and supervision.

After detox, it's vital to enter rehab. Moreover, drug rehab will transition you back into daily life. This process usually lasts between 30-90 days. However, depending on your circumstances with addiction, your program may last longer.

Enter Rehab After Detox

Many people decide to return to their daily lives after detox. However, this leads to higher rates of relapse. In fact, returning home after detox without the proper coping skills and training is far from a successful recovery. During rehab at Ashley Addiction Treatment, you will have around-the-clock care. Furthermore, our treatment modalities and therapeutic options will prepare you for life after rehabilitation.

For example, our addiction treatment programs include:

Once a client has completed rehabilitation it doesn't mean they are done with recovery. Specifically, recovery is a never-ending process and clients must continue to adjust and have support. Therefore, it's important to reach out after rehab through an alumni program, sober living, and aftercare.

Alumni Program Benefits

By joining our alumni program after rehab, our clients will have the support they deserve to be active in recovery. In this case, clients will help others who are in rehab, attend support groups for continuing care and therapy, and build friendships with others in similar situations.

This judgment-free program is a great way to develop greater coping skills while addressing relapse concerns through prevention techniques.

Aftercare and Sober Living

Aftercare is a great option for many people who don't believe they are ready to face the responsibilities of daily life. In addition, aftercare provides recovery support after discharge from a rehab program. This helps clients transition back to work, mend broken relationships, and continue their connection to support groups. Realistically, this is an extra lifeline that can be extremely beneficial during early recovery.

Sober living, on the other hand, is another option after rehab. In this case, clients will enter a sober living home that has less structure, but with peers in recovery. This will help clients gradually re-enter their daily lives without the fears of relapse. It's recommended that clients remain in a sober living home for at least 90 days, while many people remain in sober living for six months to a year.

Drug Addiction Recovery Statistics in Relapse Rates

Believe it or not, many people fail to remain sober after rehab. In most cases, they haven't reached out for the proper support before falling for triggers. In fact, 85 percent of individuals relapse within a year of treatment, according to the National Institute on Drug Abuse. Moreover, two-thirds of individuals return to drug use within weeks of beginning addiction treatment.

To overcome the challenges of addiction, clients must have the lifelong commitment it takes to achieve total sobriety and overall wellness. At Ashley Addiction Treatment in Havre de Grace, Maryland, we take pride in guiding our clients through the detox and rehab process with encouragement, support, and addiction help. To learn more about drug addiction recovery statistics, contact us today at 866-313-6310.
Ashley Addiction Treatment, formerly Father Martin's Ashley, is a nationally recognized nonprofit leader in integrated, evidence-based treatment for substance use disorders. Our programs are accredited by The Joint Commission, and result in frequent publications of ongoing research into effective treatment methodologies. We offer holistic care that encompasses the mind, body and spirit through inpatient and outpatient treatment, provide drug detox, relapse prevention plans, family wellness programs and a variety of other services tailored to each patient's unique needs. Our driving principle - "everything for recovery" - reinforces our mission to transform and save lives through the science of medicine, the art of therapy and the compassion of spirituality, and is complemented by our philosophy of healing with respect and dignity. For information about our comprehensive programs, please call 866-313-6307.

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Drug Addiction Recovery Statistics | Ashley Addiction Treatment

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Drug addiction recovery statistics will give you the scope of abuse and addiction in America today. To overcome substance abuse, contact Ashley Addiction Treatment now at 866-313-6307.

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depression plays a big part of an addict's way of continuing their type of addiction. for example, many alcoholics suffer from depression and usually go to their choice of alcohol to forget their problems either at home, school, or work

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CBT (Cognitive Behavioral Therapy) is one of the most common forms of therapy for the treatment of addiction and depression. Behavioral therapy helps one reshape their negative behaviors, such as substance abuse, into more positive outlets and coping mechanisms. Therapy can also uncover any other underlying issues that may be causing depression and addiction to occur.

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Depression and Addiction | Dual Diagnosis - Green Hill Recovery

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Depression and addiction often co-occurs when one self-medicates to cope with depression. Learn about dual diagnosis for this condition.

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Although the user may rely on substances used to relieve symptoms of depression, chemical intoxication can actually make depressive episodes more severe, increasing the frequency and intensity of negative thoughts and self-destructive behavior.

A rehab program that addresses both depression and addiction may help to stop the progression of both disorders and empower the individual to build a healthy, sober life in recovery.

Learn how American Addiction Centers may be able to help get you through depression and substance abuse issues at the same time by calling our toll-free and confidential national addiction hotline at .

Common Symptoms of Depression

Unlike ordinary sadness or grief, which can occur temporarily after a loss, the symptoms of depression occur nearly every day for weeks-sometimes months or years-interfering with all aspects of an individual's life.

To meet the diagnostic criteria for depression established by the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition (DSM-5), a person must experience 5 or more symptoms of the disorder almost every day for at least 2 weeks, and these symptoms must not be related to a coexisting medical condition or the effects of substance abuse. ² They include: ²

A low, depressed mood.

A loss of pleasure or interest in daily activities.

Persistent feelings of self-hatred, worthlessness, or guilt.

Sleep disturbances, such as sleeping too much or too little.

Unintentional weight loss or gain.

Physical fatigue.

Low energy levels, with slower than usual responses and movements.

Problems with concentration or memory.

Persistent, intrusive thoughts about death or dying.

Suicidal thoughts or suicide attempts.

The symptoms of depression can cause noticeable problems with work, school, family life, and social relationships. People experiencing a depressive episode may have trouble getting out of bed in the morning due to a lack of energy, fatigue, and a loss of motivation.

They may lose interest in hobbies or pursuits that they were once passionate about or avoid activities that used to give them pleasure. They may be frequently tearful, talk about harming themselves, or become obsessed with thoughts and images of death.

For the loved ones of a depressed person, dealing with the symptoms can be both frightening and frustrating. It's normal to try to cheer up a friend or to encourage them to "snap out of it"; however, depressive symptoms do not respond to these offers of help.

Understanding Depression

Over 350 million people suffer from depression worldwide, and only about 50% of these individuals will ever receive treatment. ³ In the United States, over 15 million adults experience an episode of clinical depression in any given year-close to 7% of the population. ⁴

Depression can have an impact on physical and emotional wellbeing, as well as personal relationships, occupational status, and financial health. But how does depression differ from a long case of the blues?

A mood disorder like depression is not the result of bereavement or a personal setback, such as the death of a loved one or loss of a job, but a chronic, progressive illness that may get worse without treatment.

The only way to treat this serious disorder effectively is through professional therapeutic interventions, such as behavioral modification, support groups, motivational therapy, and antidepressant medications.

Types of Depressive Disorders

Depression can take several different forms based on the severity, duration, and cause of its symptoms. Depression may be best understood as a spectrum of moods rather than a series of separate, clearly defined categories. ⁵

For the sake of diagnosing and treating this serious disorder, psychiatric experts have identified several categories. Along with these categories, there are a number of depressive disorders associated with specific life stressors, psychological conditions, or emotionally taxing situations. These situational disorders share many of the symptoms of general depression, but they occur under specific circumstances and may resolve once these situations are changed.

Depression & Substance Abuse

Research has revealed that many of the factors that contribute to depression also play a part in substance use disorders. This is known as co-occurring disorders, or a dual diagnosis. Depression and addiction frequently involve:

Imbalances in brain chemistry.

Family history.

Past trauma.

In addition, the physical and psychological effects of addiction may mask the signs of depression or worsen the symptoms of this psychiatric illness.

Connection Between Alcoholism & Major Depression

There's a strong connection between alcoholism and major depression. ⁹

In a nationwide study of 43,093 adults 18 years old and over, researchers found that for those suffering from a current alcohol addiction, there was evidence that over 20% of them also met the criteria for that of a comorbid major depressive disorder. ⁹

Survey respondents in search of treatment for an alcohol use disorder were over 40% more likely than the general population to have at least one mood disorder. ⁹

Alcohol is a central nervous system depressant that may initially function as a stimulant, but that quickly intensifies feelings of lethargy, drowsiness, and depression. Alcohol use, which lowers inhibitions and impairs judgment, can also increase the risk that a depressed individual will attempt suicide. ¹⁰

Alcohol and drug abuse can worsen the course of a depressive disorder by aggravating the symptoms of depression, increasing the likelihood of hospitalization, and interfering with the course of treatment. Individuals who are being treated for depression while using drugs or alcohol are unlikely to see positive outcomes from therapy unless the substance abuse is taken into account and treated concurrently.

Substance abuse can impair motivation and decreases the effectiveness of therapeutic interventions. In addition, alcohol or drugs can have dangerous interactions with the medications used to treat depression.

The most effective approach to treating depression is a program that integrates mental health and recovery services at the same facility, with a staff of professionals who are cross trained in both fields.

Investigating the Causes of Depression

Depression is one of the most common and most debilitating mood disorders, yet researchers still haven't determined the exact cause of this condition. There are, however, several theories about the roots of depression.

Brain Structure

The brains of some individuals with depressive disorder are structurally different from those who do not have depression. MRI imaging studies reveal that the areas of the brain that are responsible for mood, cognition, metabolic function, and sleeping have a unique appearance in people who have serious mood disorders. ¹¹

Environment & Childhood Experience

A disorderly home environment or a history of physical, sexual, or emotional abuse in childhood can increase the chances of developing depression in adolescence or adulthood. ¹² Trauma therapy can be extremely useful for processing unresolved memories and healing the suppressed emotional wounds that can contribute to depression later in life.

Genetics

The neurological differences that distinguish people with depression are at least partly hereditary. Genetic research shows that people who have a close relative, such as a parent or sibling, with depression are 20 to 30% more likely to suffer from depression themselves. ¹³

Unlike diseases that are linked to a specific, defective gene, such as cystic fibrosis, depression is more likely to be linked to several genes.

Situational Factors

Although the losses that we all experience do not necessarily cause depression, a severe setback can trigger a depressive episode. For instance, the death of a loved one or a bitter divorce could send a person into a period of grief and bereavement, which may turn into depression if the emotions surrounding that loss are not adequately resolved.

Unlike bereavement, depression is often accompanied by feelings of worthlessness, self-loathing, or suicidal thoughts.

Brain Chemistry

Neurologists and pharmacologists have long pursued the connection between brain chemistry and depression in an effort to offer solutions to this disabling condition. Depression has been linked to imbalances in the brain chemicals, or neurotransmitters, that regulate emotional states, moods, energy levels, and appetite, such as serotonin, norepinephrine, and dopamine. ¹⁴

As with other types of chronic mental illness, there are usually several factors involved in the development of depression. A family history of depression, for example, may be combined with a history of past trauma or the breakup of a marriage to make an individual more vulnerable to depression.

Getting Help for Depression & Co-Occurring Addiction

Living with a family member or spouse who is in a depressive episode can be both painful and stressful. It's natural for loved ones to feel helpless, frustrated, and even emotionally drained by their experiences dealing with depression. Approaching a relative or friend about depression and substance abuse is very hard, but it can also prevent serious harm to the individual.

Without help, it's likely that the addictive disorder and the depression-both chronic illnesses-will continue to get worse until the individual becomes severely ill. It's even possible that an intervention by loved ones may help to prevent a suicide attempt and save the individual's life.

People struggling with depression often feel isolated, profoundly lonely, and powerless. Offering support and practical solutions could make an enormous difference in the way a depressed person feels about the future.

Mental health professionals can be valuable partners in the process of intervening on behalf of someone who has depression. With the guidance of a therapist, families can learn about the facts behind depression and develop a better understanding of how to relate to someone who has this disorder.

If substance abuse is a factor, a therapist or intervention specialist can provide guidelines on how to effectively get help for someone with depression.

Therapies & Interventions

The treatment of depressive disorders with co-occurring addiction can be challenging. Depressive symptoms such as low motivation, low self-worth, and a flat emotional affect may imitate the effects of chemical intoxication or withdrawal.

In order for the treatment team to distinguish between the effects of depression and substance abuse, the client must undergo a thorough psychiatric assessment. 15 Although major depressive disorder is one of the most serious, debilitating types of mental illness, it's also very treatable with the right combination of therapeutic strategies. With the help of qualified, licensed mental health professionals, depressed individuals can be treated, and their families can recover hope for the future. ¹⁶

Medications for Depression

The most widely prescribed medications for depression are drugs in the SSRI category, such as:

These drugs correct chemical imbalances by increasing the level of serotonin, a neurotransmitter that affects mood, to the brain. SSRIs are now considered to be frontline pharmaceutical treatment for depression, as they have relatively mild side effects compared to older antidepressant medications.

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)

CBT addresses the dysfunctional thoughts and actions that affect people with mood disorders like depression. ²⁰ Rather than delving into the roots of depression, CBT focuses on identifying and transforming self-defeating ideas and repetitive self-talk, such as "I'm worthless," "I'll never feel better," or "I might as well drink, my life is so bad."

Such negative thoughts can be replaced by more positive messages, while maladaptive coping skills can be replaced with more effective approaches to life's stressors and triggers.

Motivational Interviewing (MI)

Unlike older, confrontational approaches to rehab and recovery, MI takes a positive, encouraging perspective, engaging the client in the recovery process through an active collaboration with the therapist. ²¹

MI, as a therapeutic strategy, can be highly effective for individuals with depression, who have difficulty finding and maintaining internal sources of motivation. 21

Trauma Therapies

If a history of trauma is a factor in a client's depression or substance abuse, trauma therapies like Seeking Safety and eye movement desensitization reprocessing (EMDR) can help. These therapies help to reprocess troubling memories and resolve old sources of emotional pain, so the client can move on through the process of recovery and rehab.

Family Systems Therapy

Family systems therapy treats the client's household unit as a whole, and the diseases of depression and addiction as family problems rather than individual disorders. Therapeutic goals for families include:

Educating loved ones about depression and addiction.

Improving communication among family members.

Setting realistic boundaries.

Establishing an environment at home that supports sobriety.

Treating Co-occurring Depression & Substance Abuse

When substance abuse occurs with a depressive disorder, treatment should focus on both disorders at the same time. Treatment plans should be developed that take the client's depressive symptoms-such as low motivation, low energy levels, and feelings of hopelessness-into account, while addressing the addictive behavior.

In the initial stages of recovery, inpatient treatment at a residential recovery facility may be recommended, especially if the individual expresses suicidal thoughts or has a history of suicide attempts.

In an inpatient setting, clients can go through detox and rehab with the 24-hour support and supervision of a staff of clinicians and therapists. Once the client is ready to progress to the next stage of recovery, a partial hospitalization program or outpatient program will offer a higher level of independence and self-determination.

Clients should be monitored closely at every stage of rehab to ensure that their level of treatment is appropriate for their current psychological status.

Throughout substance abuse treatment, core interventions such as individual therapy, group therapy, 12-Step programming, and family or marriage counseling provide a stable support network and a foundation for psychological healing.

Starting the Path to Recovery

Depression can have devastating effects on an individual's wellbeing and on the lives of loved ones. Fortunately, the feelings of sadness, worthlessness, and despair that mark depression can be greatly reduced through research-based therapies.

Many clinically depressed individuals have also shown considerable improvement in their symptoms through pharmacotherapy. To maximize the outcomes of treatment, clients should have a range of resources available that address their psychological, medical, and psychosocial needs.

Statistics confirm that alcohol addiction and drug addiction are more common among people with depression than in the population as a whole. Individuals with both mental illness and substance abuse disorders require integrated treatment plans that encompass their mental health needs as well as their need for detox and rehabilitation.

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Depression & Substance Abuse Treatment Plans, Medication, Therapy

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When depression and substance abuse co-occur in the same person, both need to be treated at the same time for success in recovery. Learn about depression, why depression and substance abuse co-occur, and how medical professionals treat the co-occurring disorders.

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although every addiction is important to understand and bring awareness to, some of the more common addictions are

alcohol

hemp ❪ cannabis ❫

cocaine

tabacco

crack

heroine

meth

sedatives

these addictions are easier to solve/gain resources to cure the addictions.

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Types of addiction: Refering to types of addiction is refering to the type of substance consumed which summarize into the list bellow:

Technology addiction

Alcohol addiction

Gambling addiction

Cocaine addiction

Tobacco addiction

Cigarette addiction

Crack addiction

Heroine addiction

Ecstasy addiction

Addiction to volatile substances (gas)

Addiction to amphetamine (Captagon)

Methamphetamine Addiction (Chubu / Ice / Crystal Meth)

Work addiction

Shopping addiction

Addiction in children and young persons

Sex addiction

Mariguana addiction

Opium addiction

Emotional relationships addiction

According to WHO, types of substance addiction are

Opium addiction

Alcoholism

Addiction to cannabis

Cocaine addiction

Addiction to stimulants and medical stimulants

Addiction to substances that cause hallucinations

Solvent addiction

Tobacco addiction

In DSM-5, 10 different sets of items are defined:

Alcohol

Caffeine

Hemp (cannabis)

(LSD, mesalin), phencyclidine hallucinogenic

etc)

Volatile substances (thinner, benzene, benzene, bali and others)

Opioids (morphine, heroin, codeine, methadone, etc.)

Sedatives (diazepam, chlorazepate, etc.)

Steroids (amphetamine, ecstasy, cocaine, etc.)

Tobacco

Behavioral addiction is also listed below

Internet addiction

Addiction to gambling

Shopping addiction

Sex addiction

Relationship addiction

Dependency addiction

Addiction types depend on the substance used by the person and the type of addiction. Dependencies vary greatly in refferance to the type itself. In the treatment of addiction type, the tests are examined and analyzed in detail in the addiction center.

And then a special treatment program is issued for the person. The person is treated with a multidisciplinary approach through a special treatment program

Many ways are used in our clinic to treat our patients at the addiction treatment center. They Include:

1. Individual Psychotherapy

2. Collective psychotherapy

3. Social interaction therapy sessions

4. Drug therapy

5. Deep magnetic stimulation sessions (Deep TMS)

6. Educational courses for the family

We can say that the types of addiction will be evaluated in the general framework, where the types of addiction are separated. Therefore, it is essential to evaluate the person and treat him by a specialist through a special treatment plan.

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Types of addiction: Refering to types of addiction is refering to the type of substance consumed which summarize into the list bellow:

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it's important to realize or understand how addictions work in order to help get the person treated. teenagers and adults are/can be addicted to certain types of materials such as cannabis, cocaine, any type of heavy-hitting drug, alcohol, gambling, technology, and shopping.

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What Do Substance Abuse and Addiction Mean?

The difference between substance abuse and addiction is very slight. Substance abuse means using an illegal substance or misusing a legal substance. Addiction begins as abuse, or using a substance like marijuana or cocaine.

You can abuse a drug (or alcohol) without having an addiction. For example, just because someone smoked pot a few times doesn't mean that they have an addiction, but it could lead to one.

People can get addicted to all sorts of substances. When we think of addiction, we usually think of alcohol or street drugs. But people become addicted to prescription medicines, cigarettes, even sniffing glue.

Some substances are more addictive than others: Drugs like crack or heroin are so addictive that they might only be used once or twice before the user loses control.

Addiction means a person needs a drug, even if they know it has bad consequences. Addiction can be physical, psychological, or both.

Physical Addiction

Being physically addicted means a person's body becomes dependent on a particular substance (even vaping is physically addictive). It also means building tolerance to that substance, so that a person needs a larger dose than before to get the same effects.

Someone who is physically addicted and stops using a substance like drugs, alcohol, or nicotine may have withdrawal symptoms. Common symptoms of withdrawal are diarrhea, shaking, and generally feeling awful.

Psychological Addiction

Psychological addiction happens when the cravings for a drug are psychological or emotional. People who are psychologically addicted feel overcome by the desire to have a drug. They may lie or steal to get it.

A person crosses the line from abuse to addiction when they aren't just using the drug to have fun or get high, but have come to depend on it. Their whole life centers around the need for the drug. An addicted person - whether they have a physical addiction, psychological addiction, or both - no longer feels like they have a choice about using a substance.

What Are the Signs of Addiction?

The most obvious sign of an addiction is the need to have a particular drug or substance. But many other signs can suggest a possible addiction, such as changes in mood or weight loss or gain. (These also are signs of other conditions too, though, such as depression or eating disorders.)

Someone may have a drug or alcohol addiction if they:

Use drugs or alcohol to help forget problems or to relax.

Spend a lot of time figuring out how to get drugs.

Steal or sell belongings to be able to afford drugs.

Tried and failed to stop taking drugs or drinking.

Feel shaky or sick when trying to stop.

Need to take more of the substance to get the same effect.

Have changes in their sleeping habits, eating habits (including weight loss or gain), or mood (including mood swings, anxiety, anger, or depression).

Develop problems in their relationships with family and friends.

Lose interest in activities that used to be important.

Do worse at school.

How Can Someone Get Help With a Substance Abuse Problem or Addiction?

If you think that you or someone you care about is addicted to drugs or alcohol, recognizing the problem is the first step in getting help.

Call SAMHSA's National Helpline at 1-800-662-HELP (4357). This free and confidential service is available in English and Spanish.

Many people think they can kick the problem on their own, but that rarely works. Find someone you trust to talk to. It may help to talk to a friend or someone your own age at first, but a supportive and understanding adult is your best option for getting help. If you can't talk to your parents, you might want to approach a school counselor, relative, doctor, favorite teacher, or religious leader.

Overcoming addiction is not easy. Quitting drugs or drinking is probably going to be one of the hardest things you or your friend do. It's not a sign of weakness if you need professional help from a trained drug counselor or therapist. Most people who try to kick a drug or alcohol problem need professional help or a treatment program to do so.

What Can Help With Addiction Recovery?

After you start a treatment program, try these tips to make the road to recovery less bumpy:

Tell your friends about your decision to stop using drugs. True friends will respect your decision. This might mean that you need to find a new group of friends who will be 100% supportive. Unless everyone decides to kick their drug habit at once, you probably won't be able to hang out with the friends you did drugs with.

Ask your friends or family to be ready to support you when you need them. You might need to call someone in the middle of the night just to talk. If you're going through a tough time, don't try to handle things on your own - accept the help your family and friends offer.

Accept invitations only to events that you know won't involve drugs or alcohol. Going to the movies is probably safe, but you may want to skip a Friday night party until you're feeling more secure. Plan activities that don't involve drugs. Go to the movies, try bowling, or take an art class with a friend.

Have a plan about what you'll do if you find yourself in a situation with drugs or alcohol. The temptation will be there sometimes. If you know how you're going to handle it, you'll be OK. Establish a plan with your parents, siblings, or other supportive friends and adults so that if you call or text using a code, they'll know you need a ride out of there.

Remind yourself that having an addiction doesn't make a person bad or weak. If you fall back into old patterns (backslide) a bit, talk to an adult as soon as possible. It's nothing to be ashamed about, but it's important to get help soon so that all the hard work you put into your recovery is not lost.

How Can I Help a Friend With Addiction?

If you're worried about a friend who has an addiction, you can use these same tips to help them. For example, let your friend know that you are available to talk or offer your support. If you notice a friend backsliding, talk about it openly and ask what you can do to help.

If your friend is going back to drugs or drinking and won't accept your help, don't be afraid to talk to a nonthreatening, understanding adult, like your parent or school counselor. Getting your friend help is the best support you can offer.

Above all, offer a friend who's battling an addiction lots of encouragement and praise. Hearing that you care is exactly the kind of motivation your friend needs.

What Helps With Staying Sober?

Recovering from a drug or alcohol addiction doesn't end with a 6-week treatment program. It's a lifelong process. Many people find that joining a support group can help them stay clean. There are support groups specifically for teens and younger people. You'll meet people who have gone through the same experiences, and you can have real-life discussions about drugs that you won't hear in your school's health class.

Many people find that helping others is also the best way to help themselves. Your understanding of how hard the recovery process can be will help you to support others who are battling an addiction.

If you do have a relapse, recognizing the problem as soon as possible is critical. Get help right away so that you don't undo the hard work you put into your initial recovery. And if you do have a relapse, don't ever be afraid to ask for help!

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Dealing With Addiction (for Teens) - Nemours KidsHealth

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Find out what you can do if you think you or a friend has a drug or alcohol addiction - from recognizing the warning signs to suggestions to help you stay clean.

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Can addiction be treated successfully?

Yes, addiction is a treatable disorder. Research on the science of addiction and the treatment of substance use disorders has led to the development of research-based methods that help people to stop using drugs and resume productive lives, also known as being in recovery.

Can addiction be cured?

Like treatment for other chronic diseases such as heart disease or asthma, addiction treatment is not a cure, but a way of managing the condition. Treatment enables people to counteract addiction's disruptive effects on their brain and behavior and regain control of their lives.

These images showing the density of dopamine transporters in the brain illustrate the brain's remarkable ability to recover, at least in part, after a long abstinence from drugs-in this case, methamphetamine.51

Does relapse to drug use mean treatment has failed?

No. The chronic nature of addiction means that for some people relapse, or a return to drug use after an attempt to stop, can be part of the process, but newer treatments are designed to help with relapse prevention. Relapse rates for drug use are similar to rates for other chronic medical illnesses. If people stop following their medical treatment plan, they are likely to relapse.

Relapse rates for people treated for substance use disorders are compared with those for people treated for high blood pressure and asthma. Relapse is common and similar across these illnesses. Therefore, substance use disorders should be treated like any other chronic illness. Relapse serves as a sign for resumed, modified, or new treatment.

Treatment of chronic diseases involves changing deeply rooted behaviors, and relapse doesn't mean treatment has failed. When a person recovering from an addiction relapses, it indicates that the person needs to speak with their doctor to resume treatment, modify it, or try another treatment.

While relapse is a normal part of recovery, for some drugs, it can be very dangerous-even deadly. If a person uses as much of the drug as they did before quitting, they can easily overdose because their bodies are no longer adapted to their previous level of drug exposure. An overdose happens when the person uses enough of a drug to produce uncomfortable feelings, life-threatening symptoms, or death.

What are the principles of effective treatment?

Research shows that when treating addictions to opioids (prescription pain relievers or drugs like heroin or fentanyl), medication should be the first line of treatment, usually combined with some form of behavioral therapy or counseling. Medications are also available to help treat addiction to alcohol and nicotine.

Additionally, medications are used to help people detoxify from drugs, although detoxification is not the same as treatment and is not sufficient to help a person recover. Detoxification alone without subsequent treatment generally leads to resumption of drug use.

For people with addictions to drugs like stimulants or cannabis, no medications are currently available to assist in treatment, so treatment consists of behavioral therapies. Treatment should be tailored to address each patient's drug use patterns and drug-related medical, mental, and social problems.

Discoveries in science lead to breakthroughs in drug use treatment.

What medications and devices help treat drug addiction?

Different types of medications may be useful at different stages of treatment to help a patient stop abusing drugs, stay in treatment, and avoid relapse.

Treating withdrawal. When patients first stop using drugs, they can experience various physical and emotional symptoms, including restlessness or sleeplessness, as well as depression, anxiety, and other mental health conditions. Certain treatment medications and devices reduce these symptoms, which makes it easier to stop the drug use.

Staying in treatment. Some treatment medications and mobile applications are used to help the brain adapt gradually to the absence of the drug. These treatments act slowly to help prevent drug cravings and have a calming effect on body systems. They can help patients focus on counseling and other psychotherapies related to their drug treatment.

Preventing relapse. Science has taught us that stress cues linked to the drug use (such as people, places, things, and moods), and contact with drugs are the most common triggers for relapse. Scientists have been developing therapies to interfere with these triggers to help patients stay in recovery.

Common medications used to treat drug addiction and withdrawal

How do behavioral therapies treat drug addiction?

Behavioral therapies help people in drug addiction treatment modify their attitudes and behaviors related to drug use. As a result, patients are able to handle stressful situations and various triggers that might cause another relapse. Behavioral therapies can also enhance the effectiveness of medications and help people remain in treatment longer.

Cognitive-behavioral therapy seeks to help patients recognize, avoid, and cope with the situations in which they're most likely to use drugs.

Contingency management uses positive reinforcement such as providing rewards or privileges for remaining drugfree, for attending and participating in counseling sessions, or for taking treatment medications as prescribed.

Motivational enhancement therapy uses strategies to make the most of people's readiness to change their behavior and enter treatment.

Family therapy helps people (especially young people) with drug use problems, as well as their families, address influences on drug use patterns and improve overall family functioning.

Twelve-step facilitation (TSF) is an individual therapy typically delivered in 12 weekly session to prepare people to become engaged in 12-step mutual support programs. 12-step programs, like Alcoholic Anonymous, are not medical treatments, but provide social and complementary support to those treatments. TSF follows the 12-step themes of acceptance, surrender, and active involvement in recovery.

Treatment must address the whole person.

How do the best treatment programs help patients recover from addiction?

Stopping drug use is just one part of a long and complex recovery process. When people enter treatment, addiction has often caused serious consequences in their lives, possibly disrupting their health and how they function in their family lives, at work, and in the community.

Because addiction can affect so many aspects of a person's life, treatment should address the needs of the whole person to be successful. Counselors may select from a menu of services that meet the specific medical, mental, social, occupational, family, and legal needs of their patients to help in their recovery.

For more information on drug treatment, see Principles of Drug Addiction Treatment: A Research-Based Guide, and Principles of Adolescent Substance Use Disorder Treatment: A Research-Based Guide.

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Treatment and Recovery | National Institute on Drug Abuse

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Treatment & Recovery section of Drugs, Brains, and Behavior: The Science of Addiction

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different types of drugs can affect someone by providing them with different sights while under the influence

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the individual might cause foul actions toward people they love / know

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many people who are addicted to any sort of drugs or alcohol usually go out of their day and consume or buy more and more.

may go in debt and cause problems

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Addiction is now understood to be a brain disease. Whether it's alcohol, prescription pain pills, nicotine, gambling, or something else, overcoming an addiction isn't as simple as just stopping or exercising greater control over impulses.

That's because addiction develops when the pleasure circuits in the brain get overwhelmed, in a way that can become chronic and sometimes even permanent. This is what's at play when you hear about reward "systems" or "pathways" and the role of dopamine when it comes to addiction. But what does any of that really mean?

One of the most primitive parts of the brain, the reward system, developed as a way to reinforce behaviors we need to survive-such as eating. When we eat foods, the reward pathways activate a chemical called dopamine, which, in turn, releases a jolt of satisfaction. This encourages you to eat again in the future.

When a person develops an addiction to a substance, it's because the brain has started to change. This happens because addictive substances trigger an outsized response when they reach the brain. Instead of a simple, pleasurable surge of dopamine, many drugs of abuse-such as opioids, cocaine, or nicotine-cause dopamine to flood the reward pathway, 10 times more than a natural reward.

The brain remembers this surge and associates it with the addictive substance. However, with chronic use of the substance, over time the brain's circuits adapt and become less sensitive to dopamine. Achieving that pleasurable sensation becomes increasingly important, but at the same time, you build tolerance and need more and more of that substance to generate the level of high you crave.

Addiction can also cause problems with focus, memory, and learning, not to mention decision-making and judgement. Seeking drugs, therefore, is driven by habit-and not conscious, rational decisions.

Unfortunately, the belief that people with addictions are simply making bad choices pervades. Furthermore, the use of stigmatizing language, such as "junkie" and "addict" and getting "clean," often creates barriers when it comes to accessing treatment. There's also stigma that surrounds treatment methods, creating additional challenges.

Though treatment modalities differ based on an individual's history and the particular addiction he or she has developed, medications can make all the difference. "A lot of people think that the goal of treatment for opioid use disorder, for example, is not taking any medication at all," says David A. Fiellin, MD, a Yale Medicine primary care and addiction medicine specialist. "Research shows that medication-based treatments are the most effective treatment. Opioid use disorder is a medical condition just like depression, diabetes or hypertension, and as with those conditions, it is most effectively treated with a combination of medication and counseling."

Watch this video to learn more about addiction and how it is a physiological disease.

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An overview of how addictive substances can hijack the reward pathways of the brain.

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https://www.gatewayfoundation.org/addiction-blog/substance-addiction-change-personality/

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Gateway Foundation
Gateway Foundation is a recognized leader in evidence-based addiction treatment proven to get results. Our experts in Addiction Medicine-including highly educated clinical and medical professionals and expert psychiatrists and nurses-deliver care that never stops. For over 50 years, Gateway Foundation has been helping individuals and their families recover from addictions and behavioral health issues and is the only provider that covers the entire state of Illinois with 16 facilities from the Wisconsin Border to the Kentucky Border. Gateway has specific programs focusing on substance use disorders, trauma, depression, anxiety, and other co-occurring issues. We're licensed by the state of Illinois and accredited by the Joint Commission. We are in-network with all the major commercial insurance plans. Gateway Foundation: Addiction medicine, saving lives.

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10 Ways Substance Addiction Can Change Your Personality

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Substance use disorder can significantly impact the brain, causing behavior and personality changes. Learn precisely how addiction affects personality here.

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Addiction can cause seemingly rational people to become irrational and violent. Although any type of addiction can trigger violence, those most likely to impair judgment, like drug and alcohol addictions, are most often linked to addiction-related violence.

Numerous studies have shown that substance abuse does not cause domestic violence. Substance abuse and domestic violence, however, often co-occur, and addiction can cause abuse to be more violent and result in more severe injuries to those who are abused. The U.S. Department of Justice reports that 61 percent of abusers have drug and/or alcohol addictions.
What Kinds Of Violent Problems Does Addiction Cause?
Addicts may become violent toward their own family members, hurting spouses or children. Addicts may also commit violent crimes as a result of intoxication or as a means of obtaining money to finance their habits. Violence is not limited to men in heterosexual relationships, either. Women may commit violence against their husbands, and violence occurs in gay and lesbian relationships as well.
What Can I Do If I Am The Victim Of Addiction-Related Violence?
Non-Legal Resources

One of the most important things a person experiencing violence from an addict can do is to remove themselves and any children from the situation. Although you may love the addict, staying in the relationship or in the home is dangerous because of the impaired judgment that characterizes addiction.

Because addiction and violence are linked, it is difficult to know what may cause violence in the home. Does it happen while the person is inebriated? Does violence occur when a person cannot get a daily fix and begins to experience withdrawal? Some drugs, like methamphetamines, lead addicts to become paranoid and violent. If you are not around the addict, the addict cannot physically hurt you.

Many towns have shelters and safe houses dedicated to serving women and children who are victims of abuse. Men who are abuse victims may have a more difficult time finding a safe house or shelter, however. Victims may also contact a crisis center or hotline that specializes in domestic abuse. Counselors who are affiliated with these services may also be able to speak to the victim about the abuser's substance use and addiction.

Legal Resources

Safe houses, shelters, and crisis centers are not legal resources; the person responsible for the abuse will not be reported, and all information exchanged will generally remain confidential. Importantly, however, victims of abuse do have legal avenues that they can take.

Family members who experience domestic violence (or who know someone who is) can report the violence to a local law enforcement or child welfare agency (if children are involved). Laws regarding domestic violence vary by municipality and state. Some violent episodes are classified as "domestic abuse" whereas others are classified as "assault."

When addiction becomes violent, it is important to remove yourself or your loved one from the situation. To truly remedy the situation and allow the relationships to heal, help should be sought for both the victims and the addict. Whether you have been the victim of violence at the hand of an addict or you have recognized how your own substance abuse brings about violent tendencies, the experts at the UCLA Dual Diagnosis Center may be able to help the addict turn his or her life around. Call today.

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When Addiction Gets Violent: Get Help And Get Out

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Addiction can cause seemingly rational people to become irrational and violent. Although any type of addiction can trigger violence, those most likely to impair judgment, like drug and alcohol addictions, are most often linked to addiction-related violence. Numerous studies have shown that substance abuse does not cause domestic violence.

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The flip side of anger is depression. Depression often causes people to self-medicate with drugs or alcohol. Aggression, in the form of anger, frequently manifests in people with addiction problems. If you do not believe this is true, look to science, which tells us that there is a definite correlation between aggression and addiction. Psychiatric Times reports, "The tendency to engage in violent behavior is a potentially important risk factor for suicide in substance abusers."

This article examines the connection between aggression and addiction. How are the two related? Why do they often go hand-in-hand? Can a person get help with both issues in drug rehab?

What The Latest Studies Say

Treatment providers already know what the studies are telling us; around 75% of people beginning addiction treatment have engaged in some sort of aggressive behavior. The Psychiatric Times article goes on to say, "individuals who have difficulty in controlling their anger may be more likely to act impulsively, thus turning the violence on themselves rather than on others."

The National Institute on Drug Abuse covered a recent study that showed the ties between addiction and aggression. They used mice to show a possible correlation between the disruptions of our brain circuitry that comes from substance use addiction and aggressive behavior. Seventy percent of the male mice acted aggressively toward smaller mice when exposed to protocols that mirror human addictive behavior.

The SAMHSA National Household Survey on Drug Use showed that 40% of substance users report engaging in some sort of aggressively reckless behavior.

Whether it is depression or other mental illness causing the aggression, or a result of the chemicals the substance user is consuming, the end result is the same; violent behaviors toward themselves or others.

Addiction, Aggression, and Unhealthy Behavior

People with substance use disorders, whether they are co-occurring with mental illness or not, do not engage in healthy behavior. The substance they are using inhibits how they deal with emotions, masking them in the pleasurable feelings that come with the drug or alcohol use. But these emotions do not go away and can build up, only to be unleashed when the substance abuser simply cannot bottle them up anymore.

Also, aggression is a manifestation of mental health conditions such as depression or bipolar disorder. Drugs are often used to calm anxiety or to help someone with low energy from depressive disorders get through the day. A study published in the Archives of General Psychiatry stated, "Self-medication of anxiety symptoms with alcohol, other drugs or both has been a plausible mechanism for the co-occurrence of anxiety disorders and substance use disorders."

For people struggling with addiction, both aggression and substance use can be tackled in rehab. Dual diagnosis facilities are designed to deal with co-occurring illnesses such as mental health and substance use disorders. These healthcare providers can treat the substance use disorder, helping the patient safely go through withdrawal. Then, a variety of behavioral and therapeutic counseling practices can help the patient deal with their underlying emotions. If a co-occurring mental health disorder is diagnosed, medication can help regulate their symptoms.

Help is just a phone call away. To learn more about our treatment programs, call now.

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The Connection Between Addiction and Aggression | The Recovery Village Ridgefield

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What is the connection between aggression and addiction? How are the two related? Why do they often go hand-in-hand? Find out here.

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What is drug addiction?

Addiction is defined as a chronic, relapsing disorder characterized by compulsive drug seeking and use despite adverse consequences. It is considered a brain disorder, because it involves functional changes to brain circuits involved in reward, stress, and self-control. Those changes may last a long time after a person has stopped taking drugs.

Addiction is a lot like other diseases, such as heart disease. Both disrupt the normal, healthy functioning of an organ in the body, both have serious harmful effects, and both are, in many cases, preventable and treatable. If left untreated, they can last a lifetime and may lead to death.

Modified with permission from Volkow et al. 1993.

Note: These PET scans compare the brain of an individual with a history of cocaine use disorder (middle and right) to the brain of an individual without a history of cocaine use (left). The person who has had a cocaine use disorder has lower levels of the D2 dopamine receptor (depicted in red) in the striatum one month (middle) and four months (right) after stopping cocaine use compared to the non-user. The level of dopamine receptors in the brain of the cocaine user are higher at the 4-month mark (right), but have not returned to the levels observed in the non-user (left).

Why do people take drugs?

In general, people take drugs for a few reasons:

To feel good. Drugs can produce intense feelings of pleasure. This initial euphoria is followed by other effects, which differ with the type of drug used. For example, with stimulants such as cocaine, the high is followed by feelings of power, self-confidence, and increased energy. In contrast, the euphoria caused by opioids such as heroin is followed by feelings of relaxation and satisfaction.

To feel better. Some people who suffer from social anxiety, stress, and depression start using drugs to try to feel less anxious. Stress can play a major role in starting and continuing drug use as well as relapse (return to drug use) in patients recovering from addiction.

To do better. Some people feel pressure to improve their focus in school or at work or their abilities in sports. This can play a role in trying or continuing to use drugs, such as prescription stimulants or cocaine.

Curiosity and social pressure. In this respect, teens are particularly at risk because peer pressure can be very strong. Adolescence is a developmental period during which the presence of risk factors, such as peers who use drugs, may lead to substance use.

If taking drugs makes people feel good or better, what's the problem?

When they first use a drug, people may perceive what seem to be positive effects. They also may believe they can control their use. But drugs can quickly take over a person's life. Over time, if drug use continues, other pleasurable activities become less pleasurable, and the person has to take the drug just to feel "normal." They have a hard time controlling their need to take drugs even though it causes many problems for themselves and their loved ones. Some people may start to feel the need to take more of a drug or take it more often, even in the early stages of their drug use. These are the signs of an addiction.

Even relatively moderate drug use poses dangers. Consider how a social drinker can become intoxicated, get behind the wheel of a car, and quickly turn a pleasurable activity into a tragedy that affects many lives. Occasional drug use, such as misusing an opioid to get high, can have similarly disastrous effects, including impaired driving and overdose.

Do people choose to keep using drugs?

The initial decision to take drugs is typically voluntary. But with continued use, a person's ability to exert self-control can become seriously impaired. This impairment in self-control is the hallmark of addiction.

Brain imaging studies of people with addiction show physical changes in areas of the brain that are critical to judgment, decision-making, learning and memory, and behavior control. These changes help explain the compulsive nature of addiction.

No single factor determines whether a person will become addicted to drugs.

Why do some people become addicted to drugs, while others do not?

As with other diseases and disorders, the likelihood of developing an addiction differs from person to person, and no single factor determines whether a person will become addicted to drugs. In general, the more risk factors a person has, the greater the chance that taking drugs will lead to drug use and addiction. Protective factors, on the other hand, reduce a person's risk. Risk and protective factors may be either environmental or biological.

What biological factors increase risk of addiction?

Biological factors that can affect a person's risk of addiction include their genes, stage of development, and even gender or ethnicity. Scientists estimate that genes, including the effects environmental factors have on a person's gene expression, called epigenetics, account for between 40 and 60 percent of a person's risk of addiction. Also, teens and people with mental disorders are at greater risk of drug use and addiction than others.

Children's earliest interactions within the family are crucial to their healthy development and risk for drug use.

What environmental factors increase the risk of addiction?

Environmental factors are those related to the family, school, and neighborhood. Factors that can increase a person's risk include the following:

Home and Family. The home environment, especially during childhood, is a very important factor. Parents or older family members who use drugs or misuse alcohol, or who break the law, can increase children's risk of future drug problems.

Peer and School. Friends and other peers can have an increasingly strong influence during the teen years. Teens who use drugs can sway even those without risk factors to try drugs for the first time. Struggling in school or having poor social skills can put a child at further risk for using or becoming addicted to drugs.

What other factors increase the risk of addiction?

Early use. Although taking drugs at any age can lead to addiction, research shows that the earlier people begin to use drugs, the more likely they are to develop serious problems. This may be due to the harmful effect that drugs can have on the developing brain. It also may result from a mix of early social and biological risk factors, including lack of a stable home or family, exposure to physical or sexual abuse, genes, or mental illness. Still, the fact remains that early use is a strong indicator of problems ahead, including addiction.

How the drug is taken. Smoking a drug or injecting it into a vein increases its addictive potential. Both smoked and injected drugs enter the brain within seconds, producing a powerful rush of pleasure. However, this intense high can fade within a few minutes. Scientists believe this powerful contrast drives some people to repeatedly use drugs to recapture the fleeting pleasurable state.

Images of Brain Development in Healthy Children and Teens (Ages 5-20)

As the brain matures, experiences prune excess neural connections while strengthening those that are used more often. Many scientists think that this process contributes to the steady reduction in gray matter volume seen during adolescence (depicted as the yellow to blue transition in the figure). As environmental forces help determine which connections will wither and which will thrive, the brain circuits that emerge become more efficient. However, this is a process that can cut both ways because not all patterns of behavior are desirable or healthy. The environment is like an artist who creates a sculpture by chipping away excess marble; and just like bad artists can produce bad art, environments with negative factors (like drugs, malnutrition, bullying, or sleep deprivation) can lead to efficient but potentially harmful circuits that conspire against a person's well-being.

The brain continues to develop into adulthood and undergoes dramatic changes during adolescence.

One of the brain areas still maturing during adolescence is the prefrontal cortex-the part of the brain that allows people to assess situations, make sound decisions, and keep emotions and desires under control. The fact that this critical part of a teen's brain is still a work in progress puts them at increased risk for trying drugs or continuing to take them. Introducing drugs during this period of development may cause brain changes that have profound and long-lasting consequences.

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Drug Misuse and Addiction | National Institute on Drug Abuse

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What is drug addiction? Addiction is defined as a chronic, relapsing disorder characterized by compulsive drug seeking and use despite adverse consequences.† It is considered a brain disorder, because it involves functional changes to brain circuits involved in reward, stress, and self-control.