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People who have a severe mental illness also have a much higher risk of substance abuse in all forms according to a new scientific study. According to the study researchers those who suffer from bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, and other severe types of mental disorders are far more likely to have substance abuse problems as well, including cigarettes and other forms of tobacco use. Previous studies that examined the link between mental illness and substance abuse did not include those who had a serious and severe mental disorder, and the new studies show that if you have a serious mood disorder or anxiety disorder then you are roughly twice as likely to end up with substance abuse issues as well. The study data was compiled using the information included in the 2012 National Survey on Drug Use and Health, and this data showed that more than 8 million people in the USA alone suffer from both of these conditions.
Even though millions of US citizens have both a serious mental disorder and substance abuse issues less than 10% receive treatment for both conditions and end up with a dual diagnosis and dual treatment plan. The newest findings show what many physicians have previously suspected, that the number of individuals who have severe psychosis and substance abuse issues have been underestimated so far and that the true figures are actually much higher. Some statistics show that a mental disorder may make you 4 times more likely to abuse alcohol, around three and a half times more likely to engage in marijuana use, and over 5 times more likely to smoke cigarettes.
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A new study using animals shows that they experience a mental decline when they go through cold turkey withdrawal. If substance abuse treatment is received then this mental decline is not experienced. The study was performed by Georgetown University Medical Center, using animals that were addicted to the powerful painkiller morphine. What the study shows is that cold turkey withdrawal can be harmful, and those with drug abuse issues need to receive comprehensive substance abuse treatment in order to manage their withdrawal and benefit from better mental health. According to neuroscience professor Italo Mocchetti, Ph.D “Over time, drug-abusing individuals often develop mental disorders. It’s been thought that drug abuse itself contributes to mental decline, but our findings suggest that quitting cold turkey can also lead to damage. Interestingly, we found that treating the addicted animals with morphine both increased the protective CCL5 protein while decreasing pro-inflammatory cytokines, suggesting a beneficial effect.”
The study showed that animals which were not treated for the addiction saw the opposite in the results, with a higher level of cytokines that are damaging and lower CCL5 levels. Mocchetti went on to state “From these findings, it appears that morphine withdrawal may be a causative factor that leads to mental decline, presenting an important avenue for research in how we can better help people who are trying to quit using drugs.” The study was published in the scientific journal Brain, Behavior and Immunity. The results show just how important substance abuse treatment can be, and how a cold turkey withdrawal is not the best method to use for drug abuse.
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Compulsive gambling and cocaine addiction have similar effects on decision making in the brain according to a new research study. In the study researchers from the University of Granada compared the differences and the similarities in the brain function and the psychological profile in individuals who suffered from either compulsive gambling or cocaine addiction. The compulsive gambling group showed abnormalities in brain function that were comparable to the abnormalities of the brain that were shown by those with a cocaine addiction. The brain areas affected in both groups involved the anterior cingulate and part of the prefrontal cortex, and these areas are known to provide impulse control in people. The ability of both groups to make good decisions were compromised by these abnormalities according to the researchers.
According to José César Perales and Ana Torres, the main investigators for the study, “these bad decisions affect the individuals’ ability to recognize and evaluate loss, even when this is not financial loss.” What the researchers found very interesting was that emotion seemed to make the problem worse and appeared to increase the poor decision making, and negative emotions had a larger impact than positive emotions. Loss of impulse control in both groups that were involved in the study were similar, regardless of whether the research subject was a compulsive gambler or a cocaine addict. Hopefully these findings will eventually lead to more effective treatment for both problems. Does this mean that both of these conditions are medical disorders though? What are your feelings on this?
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Bulimia Nervosa is one of the eating disorders that can be extremely dangerous if left untreated, and there are many signs of this disorder that should not be ignored. This eating disorder involves binging, and the person with this disorder will consume large quantities of food in a short period of time. This is followed by the purge phase, and vomiting, extreme laxative use, and extensive and obsessive exercise may follow the binge period. The person may seem to be at a normal weight, but the binge and purge cycle will damage the health of the individual. In spite of their normal weight someone with Bulimia Nervosa will see themselves as overweight, and they may actually be disgusted or ashamed of their body image.
The most common signs of Bulimia Nervosa include:
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Not eating meals with others, eating smaller than usual portions, or pushing food around on the plate without actually eating any
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Exercising all the time, to an excessive degree
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Dieting constantly even though a normal weight is maintained
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Frequently complaining about being fat even though the individual is not overweight
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Episodes of binge eating, large quantities of food suddenly disappearing, and the sudden appearance of many food wrappers and containers in the trash
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Purging, frequent vomiting, or frequent laxative use
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A tendency to go to the bathroom immediately after meals
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Scarring on knuckles caused by induced vomiting
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Wearing baggy clothing all the time
Do you or someone you know show any of the warning signs of Bulimia Nervosa? If so then treatment is available.
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What causes alcoholism? The answer to this question is not clear cut, there are several possible factors that may be responsible and every alcoholic may have different contributing factors involved that cause their alcohol abuse. What causes alcoholism in one person may not have the same impact on another individual, and that is what makes treating alcohol abuse so difficult with a one size fits all program. The alcohol treatment program needs to have a customized treatment plan that takes into consideration the contributing factors in each individual case, otherwise the results may not be as effective and the risk of relapse can increase. What causes alcoholism? The risk factors listed below can contribute to this problem but each factor may not be relevant for some who need treatment.
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Binge drinking
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Drinking that starts at an early age
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Drinking a steady amount on a regular basis over an extended period of weeks, months, or even years
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A family history of alcohol abuse
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Mental health problems, including depression, bipolar disorder, and schizophrenia
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Drinking while taking certain types of medications
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Social expectations
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A culture of alcohol acceptance
What causes alcoholism? A combination of genetics, culture, social pressures, environmental considerations, and psychological factors. Until substance abuse treatment is received that addresses the causative factors in a specific case then a full and permanent recovery may not be possible. Knowing what causes alcoholism is the first step to treatment that actually works, because you must find out what causes alcoholism in your case and not the contributing factors for others.
Do you know what causes alcoholism in your case? If so what is it, and are you affected or is the alcoholic a friend or loved one?
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Drug abuse risk factors can help determine whether you are likely to end up abusing drugs, and there are many of these risk factors that parents and family members should know. Some of the top drug abuse risk factors may be common knowledge, but others are far less known. Substance abuse affects individuals of all sexes, races, ages, economic backgrounds, and family histories. The risk factors involved can be different in every single case, so any treatment plan will need to discover the risk factors that an individual has before treatment and recovery can begin. The top drug abuse risk factors can include:
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A family history of drug abuse and addiction. This is also true if the family history involves alcohol abuse or addiction.
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The sex of the individual is also one of the drug abuse risk factors. Men are twice as likely to engage in drug use as women are, so males have a higher rate of substance abuse.
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Drug abuse risk factors include having one or more mental illnesses or disorders. Depression, mania, schizophrenia, ADHD, PTSD, and other mental disorders may cause the individual to turn to drug abuse in order to self medicate their symptoms.
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Peer pressure can be one of the big drug abuse risk factors, especially for teens and young adults.
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Loneliness and anxiety are both drug abuse risk factors, and the individual may start to use in order to feel better or forget their social isolation.
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Little family involvement and communication is another of the drug abuse risk factors.
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Taking a drug that is highly addictive can cause addiction, even if the drug is only used once.
What other drug abuse risk factors do you know about?
