annotated biblio

This report will analyze the relationship between substance abuse and mental illness. Furthermore, the report will also give proper remedies for people with mental illness as a result of substance/drug abuse. This study is crucial in a variety of ways. First, substance abuse is the one of the main problems that affects people in the United States. Jonsson et al. (2021) note that substance abuse affects close to 25 million Americans. However, the majority of people are affected directly including the families of those killed or injured by intoxicated drivers. The majority of people who abuse drugs lack proper mental judgments and this can lead to usually large problems (Lima et al., 2020). There are some who use drugs to make them feel good, such as those who want to get rid of the voices, because those suffering from schizophrenia. Therefore, the research is crucial since it will educate youth, educators, mental health workers, and the general public about the dangers of drug abuse and how they affect their mental capacity. On the other hand, more than 300,000 children in the US (below 16 years) are already addicted to alcoholism and other drugs (Degenhardt et al., 2018). The majority of children who start abusing drugs at a tender age usually develop mental problems in the future such as stress, depression, and anxiety. This is because their brain is already dependent on the drugs. Furthermore, most of these children usually develop violent behaviors and are usually antisocial. Therefore, the study of substance abuse and mental illness will health mental experts, health therapists, and life coaches to study this relationship and implement proper solutions for their clients (Jonsson et al., 2021). Lastly, the study of substance abuse and mental illness will also help public institutions such as schools to prepare educations programs for the students who are already affected by drug abuse. This is likely to reduce future mental problems among the youths. Therefore, I am doing the research to help the parents, public institutions, and therapists identify the relationship between substance abuse and mental illness and help the children or adults who are already affected.

The context of the problem

Substance abuse and mental illness can be explained by the comorbidity theory. According to this theory, substance use and mental health disorders are interrelated (Jones and McCance-Katz, 2019). It means that the majority of people with drug addictions also have mental problems as well. Therefore, the conditions of mental health disorders may also emphasize drug addiction in the victim. In the United States, 21.6 million Americans aged between 12 years and older are addicted to drug abuse (Jonsson et al., 2021). However, 1 in 4 of the addicts also suffer from mental disorders such as depression, anxiety, stress, and confusion (Peters, Wexler, and Lurigio, 2015). Therefore, this means that the high prevalence of drug abuse also increases mental challenges among addicts. 

According to comorbidity theory, chronic brain disorders are associated with acute drug abuse. This means that people who abuse drugs such as marijuana, alcohol, and heroin have their brains rewired/altered by these drugs that they abuse (Jones and McCance-Katz, 2019). Therefore, it becomes difficult for them to survive without these drugs. This causes their brain to function in a different way than before and hence, the brain frequently introduces abnormal feelings such as anger, trauma, anxiety, and depression. Jonsson et al. (2021) support this idea by stating that the changes that are impacted on the brain due to drugs and substance abuse are the same areas/regions that are affected by anxiety, depression, bipolar disorders, and schizophrenia. This explains why there is a close relationship between substance abuse and mental disorders. On the other hand, the complexity of these links also increases the challenges that drug addicts face in their daily lives (Jones and McCance-Katz, 2019). This means that people who abuse drugs cannot undertake their daily activities without using the drugs. Thus, they usually turn to alcohol and other drugs to cope with their mental challenges.

There is a close relationship between childhood substance abuse and mental health disorders experienced in adult life. According to Peters, Wexler, and Lurigio (2015), the brain develops most when people are in their adolescence. 

Therefore, the circuit that regulates important activities such as impulses and decision-making usually take time to mature. This makes people at this stage to be vulnerable to drug abuse and exposure to substance use disorder. Early drug use is a high-risk factor for mental illnesses that occurs in the life of addicts when they mature (Peters, Wexler, and Lurigio, 2015). On the other hand, the physical environment of the children also affects the rate of substance use and mental disorders. People who are frequently exposed to physical abuse while still young usually increase their odds of substance abuse. Therefore, mental illness may precede substance use disorder as the addicts may be struggling to deal with their mental challenges. Jonsson et al. (2021) support this statement by noting that people who are emotionally or physically traumatized usually are at a higher risk of drug abuse/substance disorder. According to the study on the war veterans returning to the country such as those who came from Afghanistan, 1 in 5 servicemen have been diagnosed with symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder.

Despite this addiction and mental health problems, there are various remedies that addicts can use to overcome their problems. Peters, Wexler, and Lurigio (2015) note that the best treatment for these disorders is through an integrated approach. This involves the process of treating these disorders simultaneously. For mental health problems, the best approach is through medication and group Counselling. In medication, cognitive behavior therapy (CBT) is the best approach that therapists use to help people affected by mental challenges (Jones and McCance-Katz, 2019). In CBT, the victims are taken to therapy centers for a specific time period where they interact with various therapists. Furthermore, victims are taken through various exercise programs and intense guiding and counseling to reverse their minds. CBT has the highest success rate of other therapy treatments. On the other hand, Lima et al. (2020) state that substance abuse can be treated through detoxification and treatment programs such as cognitive behavior therapy. In detoxification, the victims are usually given medicine to reduce the level of drugs in their blood. Next, they are usually taken to treatment centers where they are given intense guiding and Counselling. Furthermore, exercise programs such as running are usually recommended in order to help the victims overcome their challenges. Despite these approaches, Peters, Wexler, and Lurigio (2015) note that guidance and counseling is the best approach to prevent youths from abusing drugs. According to him, schools and communities should adopt mass education programs where the youths and communities at large at taught about the dangers of drug abuse. On the other hand, these treatment programs can also be supplemented by health diets (Peters, Wexler, and Lurigio, 2015). Foods with low blood sugar and low cholesterol are recommended by therapists. This is because they help to manage negative moods such as stress and anxiety which can be beneficial to the victims. Lastly, there are several relaxation programs that can be used to reduce stress and anxiety to victims of substance abuse. As an alternative to drug abuse, therapists recommend the use of mindfulness mediation. Lima et al. (2020) support this idea by stating that mindfulness meditation helps to bring relation not only to the brain muscles but also to the whole body. Therefore, it can be used to regulate emotions such as stress, anxiety, or depression.

The relevance of the study to the field of psychology

This study is very crucial to the field of psychology. First, Degenhardt et al. (2018) note that psychologists usually undertake studies about human behavior from childhood to adulthood. These studies usually help to understand the problems that people undergo in their daily lives and how they can be solved. Substance abuse and mental illness are among the challenges that people face in society. By studying the relationship between substance abuse and mental illness, psychologists will have a better chance of identifying challenges related to substance abuse and mental illness and how they can help their clients to overcome them. Secondly, the study of substance abuse and mental illness helps psychologists to build information about human behavior. As Lima et al. (2020) note, the literature that is available about human behavior is not comprehensive. Therefore, this study will help psychologists to have a deep understanding of human behavior and how external factors such as substance abuse contribute to the thinking capacity of humans.

Relevance of the study to student’s professional interest

This study is crucial to the interest of the students. First, it will help students to add to their knowledge about human behavior. Substance abuse and mental illness are related to psychology since they help to evaluate how substance abuse alters the human brain (Jonsson et al., 2021). Therefore, the students will have a better chance of improving their knowledge and skills in this field. Secondly, students can also use their knowledge to provide education to their peers and other members of society. This study is crucial for students who will undertake community-based programs in the future. The knowledge and skills acquired from the course will help them to teach the public about the dangers of substance abuse and how to avoid them. Furthermore, the research will also help the students to treat me, victims, with severe mental problems such as stress and anxiety. Lastly, a study on substance abuse and mental illness is also crucial for the students. It helps them to understand the dangers of substance abuse and hence, live a morally upright life.

References

Degenhardt, L., Saha, S., Lim, C. C., Aguilar‐Gaxiola, S., Al‐Hamzawi, A., Alonso,

J. & WHO World Mental Health Survey Collaborators. (2018). The associations between psychotic experiences and substance use and substance use disorders: findings from the World Health Organization World Mental Health surveys. Addiction, 113(5), 924-934.

Jones, C. M., & McCance-Katz, E. F. (2019). Co-occurring substance use and mental

disorders among adults with opioid use disorder. Drug and Alcohol Dependence, 197, 78-82.

Jonsson, J., Muntaner, C., Bodin, T., Alderling, M., Balogh, R., Burström, B., ...

& Matilla-Santander, N. (2021). Low-quality employment trajectories and risk of common mental disorders, substance use disorders, and suicide attempt: a longitudinal study of the Swedish workforce. Scandinavian journal of work, environment & health, 47(7), 509-520.

Lima, D. R., Carvalho, C. F. C., Guimarães-Pereira, B. B. S., Loreto, A. R., Frallonardo,

F. P., Ismael, F., & Castaldelli-Maia, J. M. (2020). Abstinence and retention outcomes in a smoking cessation program among individuals with co-morbid substance use and mental disorders. Journal of psychiatric research, 125, 121-128.

Peters, R. H., Wexler, H. K., & Lurigio, A. J. (2015). Co-occurring substance use

and mental disorders in the criminal justice system: A new frontier of clinical practice and research.