How Addiction Affects Mental Health – And What You Can Do About It

Addiction and mental health issues are rarely separate stories. For millions, they function as threads of the same fabric, each pulling tighter and gaining a greater grip over a person’s well-being.

If you’re worried about the way these two tragic forces fuel each other, we’re here for you. Arm yourself by understanding the shared risk factors connecting them, and use our practical steps to fortify your attempts at sustained recovery.

How deeply are addiction and mental health linked?

There are reasonable grounds to wonder: “Do mental health issues lead someone into addiction, or is it addiction that ignites mental health decline?” Even the most far-reaching research cannot identify whether mental health disorders are mostly the result of substance use, or vice versa.

What makes the relationship so complex is how inseparable the two can become over time. A person with clinical depression can easily find a form of relief in drugs or alcohol, until the same substance starts to worsen the very symptoms they were meant to soothe. Likewise, a relatively sound-minded person who tries drugs recreationally will likely find their brain chemistry shifting in ways that leave them anxious, paranoid and withdrawn.

This cycle is what behavioural experts call co-occurring conditions or dual diagnosis. It’s not a rare situation either, as studies suggest that more than half of all people with an SUD will experience a diagnosable mental health condition at some point in their lives.

Their connection is strong, and so must be your endeavours to escape their destructive influence.

How mental health issues set a dark stage for addiction

It is not always the case that a person develops a mental condition as a result of their substance addiction. Many people struggle with a mental health issue throughout childhood and find relief later in life through substance use.

However, here are some of the most commonly linked mental health conditions and how they become a tragic driving force in the development of substance addiction:

Depression and schizophrenia leading to substance dependence

Studies indicate that people living with mental health conditions such as clinical depression are around twice as likely to develop a substance use disorder (SUD). Major depressive disorder (MDD), in particular, can become an incredibly heavy burden to carry, devastating a person’s concentration levels, sleep, appetite and ability to regulate emotions. In this state, substances can appear as a form of escape, yet this can ultimately worsen depression in the long run.

Schizophrenia is another heavily linked mental health condition with a striking overlap with substance misuse. Research suggests that up to half of all people with schizophrenia develop alcohol or illicit drug dependence, while as many as 70% become nicotine-dependent. Risk factors include being younger, male, and having fewer educational opportunities; however, the research also indicates that women with schizophrenia may be overlooked, as they are less likely to enter substance abuse treatment.

PTSD and the desire to escape trauma

Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is another notorious driver of substance use as a form of self-soothing. PTSD sufferers live with symptoms like flashbacks and hypervigilance, faced with constant reminders of past trauma. Substances then appear as a dampener for intrusive thoughts and memories. Yet these same substances often become a hurdle later as a person strives to fully process trauma.

How do addictions, in turn, worsen mental health?

Addictions, of course, do not only arise from pre-existing mental health struggles. Experimentation with drugs can begin casually, with addiction developing almost unnoticed. For most people, continuous use comes with the unavoidable toll of addiction. Substance dependence, in turn, fuels new psychological challenges over time.

Here are some of the more direct ways stability in mental health is eroded as addiction deepens:

Shared associated risks between addiction and mental health

The argument whether addiction sparks mental health problems or the other way around is still an area of ongoing research. There are, however, risk factors that the two have in common, which include:

• Adverse childhood experiences (ACEs): Studies show that early experiences of abuse, neglect, or household dysfunction significantly increase the likelihood of addiction and depression. Higher ACEs also correlate with suicide attempts later in life.
• Genetic dispositions: Recent research from the National Institute on Drug Abuse suggests that certain genetic factors affecting dopamine regulation can raise vulnerability to both addiction and psychiatric disorders, underlining their shared biological basis.
• The tendency to isolate: Both SUDs and mental health issues push many people into withdrawal and secrecy. This isolation deepens feelings of despair and leads to further substance use, worsening mental health simultaneously.

What to do if you’re struggling with addiction and mental health

Living with both addiction and mental health challenges will feel like you’re fighting a battle on multiple fronts. However, there is always hope and the possibility of change. Addiction recovery is possible when you take steps to address both issues together, including:

Where can I find help for addiction and mental health?

If you’re struggling with the weight of both addiction and mental health challenges, reaching out for help can change the course of your future.

At UKAT, we provide tailored dual diagnosis treatment that addresses both substance use and underlying mental health conditions. Our team combines medical detox, evidence-based therapy, and ongoing aftercare to help you rebuild your well-being and sustain your recovery.

The first step may feel daunting, but it isn’t a step you have to take on your own. Contact us today and begin your journey toward lasting recovery.