Mental Illnesses Associated With Addiction

 

Antisocial Personality Disorder– Antisocial Personality Disorder is one of the common mental illnesses associated with addiction. In some cases this illness causes the user to self medicate with drugs, while in others certain drugs can cause this illness.

 

Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder– Individuals with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder often have problems with substance abuse. The user may use sedatives or marijuana to come down from the hyper state, but this can cause other problems instead.

 

Bipolar Disorder– Bipolar disorder is a mental illness which causes an individual to fluctuate between being manic and being depressed, the two poles of human nature. This mental illness may be made worse by drug or alcohol addiction because of the chemical changes caused in the brain.

 

Depression– Substance abuse can cause depression, and is commonly associated with this mental illness. Chronic drug or alcohol abuse causes the brain to produce fewer neurotransmitters, and this can cause depression or make it worse.

 

Generalized Anxiety Disorder– Many individuals who have addiction problems suffer from generalized anxiety disorder. This mental illness can lead to a sense of anxiety which occurs without a legitimate reason for this emotion.

 

Mania– Some types of substance abuse can cause mania to occur. This is especially true if stimulants, also referred to as uppers, are abused.

 

Obsessive Compulsive Disorder– Obsessive Compulsive Disorder is another mental illness which has been linked to substance abuse. Chronic drug or alcohol abuse can cause this illness to appear in otherwise mentally healthy individuals.

 

Panic Disorder– Panic disorder causes the individual to feel a sense of panic or impending doom without any reason. Panic disorder is closely linked to addiction involving meth amphetamines and cocaine, but can also be caused by the use of other drugs and alcohol as well.

 

Phobias– Many types of substance abuse can result in phobias, which are a form of mental illness. This activity can also cover paranoia, which can be a side effect of marijuana and other drugs.

 

Post Traumatic Stress Disorder– Post Traumatic Stress Disorder occurs when something so traumatic happens to an individual that they have difficulty coping with it. Many people who suffer from this mental illness try to cope by turning to drugs or alcohol, but this usually only makes the symptoms worse.

 

Schizophrenia– Schizophrenia can be caused by the chronic use of drugs and alcohol. People who suffer from this mental illness may also turn to substance abuse in an attempt to stop the symptoms they are experiencing.