Author: Chervine

The link between substance abuse and mental health disorders has been long documented. In fact, data shows that people who suffer from depression are more likely to turn to alcohol as a form of self-medication, compared to other substances.

But how does alcohol affect your mental health? Does it only make it worse or is there more to it?

Let’s take a deep dive and find out.

Does Alcohol Affect Your Mental Health?

To put it short and simply, yes, it does. Alcohol can have an adverse impact on mental health. 

The millennial-old drink is one of the most abused substances in the world with close to 14.5 million people aged 12 or older reporting an alcohol abuse disorder in 2019.

While it’s possible to enjoy alcohol in moderation, consuming the drink excessively can have adverse consequences. 

How Does Alcohol Affect Mental Health?

If you have been pondering the question—how does alcohol affect your mental health? Then you’ve come to the right place.

The consequences of alcohol consumption could deteriorate the mental health of drinkers and eventually end up worsening any existing mental health conditions or creating new ones.

This is primarily due to the effects that alcohol can have on our brains, behaviors, and emotions. 

Can Mental Health Disorders Develop From Alcohol Use?

Alcohol, like other substances with abuse potential, creates imbalances in our brains and bodies. These imbalances can often lead to the development of mental health disorders like anxiety and depression. 

Alcohol is a depressant that over time can lead to feelings of hopelessness, helplessness, and even suicidal ideation. These feelings can eventually develop into medical depression which is not uncommon among alcoholics.

Anxiety is another common occurrence among alcohol abusers. While alcohol can initially lower anxiety, excessive drinking can lead to rebound anxiety, especially during withdrawal.

Alcohol itself can’t create trauma or PTSD. However, the consumption of it can lead to traumatic experiences that can cause such mental health disorders. 

For example, someone who abuses alcohol could experience financial loss, car accidents, or the loss of relationships. All of these could be highly traumatic life experiences that could eventually develop into PTSD or serious trauma.

How Does Alcohol Affect Mental Health For Those With An Existing Disorder?

Another way in which alcohol affects mental health disorders is by exacerbating existing mental health conditions. 

In many instances, the soothing effects of alcohol might be sought after by patients with existing mental health disorders like depression, anxiety, or PTSD. 

Alcohol might provide a temporary relief to the symptoms of these disorders which might prompt the user to drink. 

However, the effects of alcohol on the body eventually worsen the existing conditions creating a loop of self-destruction that could lead to severe and mortal consequences.

How Does Alcohol and Drugs Affect Mental Health?

Mixing alcohol with drugs used in the treatment of existing mental health disorders can also worsen the problem further.

For example, mixing alcohol with benzodiazepines can increase the risk of overdose and respiratory depression.

Mental Health and Alcohol Treatment

We’ve asked some critical questions here in understanding the link between alcohol and mental health. 

We pondered on–how does alcohol affect your mental health? 

We examined—how does alcohol and drugs affect mental health

But more importantly we answered the question—does alcohol affect your mental health?

However, there is one more critical question to ask. Where can I or my loved ones get mental health and alcohol treatment?

Not to worry, as we’re also prepared to answer that. If you are looking for alcohol and mental health treatment then you will need to attend a rehab center with a holistic dual-diagnosis approach, one like Outpatient LA.

Contact us today and we will extend our hand to help your or your loved ones get the right treatment today.

When substance abuse spirals out of control, it can have serious consequences that include harm to the addict’s mental and physical health, legal troubles, financial hardship, and strained relationships.

But it can be challenging to draw the line and know exactly when it’s the best time to help with substance abuse. 

Leaving us with two very important questions: when is the best time to get help? And how to get help with substance abuse?

How to Recognize Substance Abuse

The first step is to actually recognize the occurrence of a problem. These are some of the signs to look out for if you believe you or someone you love might be suffering from addiction.

• Using drugs or alcohol in dangerous situations
• Neglecting responsibilities
• Continuing to use drugs or alcohol despite negative consequences
• Developing a tolerance for drugs or alcohol
• Experiencing withdrawal symptoms when attempting to stop
• Using drugs or alcohol to soothe co-occurring disorders

If you or a loved one is experiencing any of these behaviors, it’s important to take action before the problem becomes more serious. In this case, it might be a good idea to get help for substance abuse.

How to Get Help for Substance Abuse

Before we dive into the clues to discover when help for substance abuse is needed, we want to examine what can actually be done if we need help. 

So how to get help for substance abuse? If you or a loved one is struggling with substance abuse, there are numerous ways to go about it.

Talking to your primary doctor is a great way to get guidance on the best course of treatment that might be adequate for your situation. However, there are other effective ways to tackle addiction.

One of the best resources addicts have is contacting an addiction treatment center like Outpatient LA. Rehabs like Outpatient LA are extremely knowledgeable in the treatment of substance abuse and have numerous resources at their disposal to help you or your loved one recover from addiction or alcoholism.

Some of the resources available for addicts in rehab centers include  12-step programs and evidence-based therapies such as cognitive-behavioral therapy. 

Getting help for substance abuse is a courageous and important step toward recovery. If you want to change your life, it’s never too late.

When to Get Help for Substance Abuse

Let’s face it, no one buys into the idea that help for substance abuse should be sought out the first time a user takes drugs. 

In fact, this idea might even be detrimental as their harmful effects might not show right away, cunning the user into believing warnings about substance abuse are but a mere fad.

But then is help for substance abuse something that should be sought out after an addict has fallen into despair? Or when exactly?

Well, it’s undoubtedly important to seek help for substance abuse as soon as possible. As a general rule, the problem begins when it feels like there is a problem. 

But the effects of substance abuse can be devastating from the onset as there are risks that addicts face like accidents or overdoses without addiction being present. 

It can be difficult to know when exactly is a good time to seek out help. However, these are some key factors to consider when deciding when to seek help for substance abuse

• If substance use is becoming more frequent
• If substance use is causing negative consequences
• If you or a loved one has tried to quit using drugs or alcohol but has been unable to do so
• If you or a loved one is experiencing mental health problems
• When withdrawal symptoms show

Ultimately, the decision to seek help for substance abuse is a personal one, but one must not wait for things to get out of hand. The sooner, the better and the easier it will be to reach sobriety.

There is no shame in seeking help and doing so can be the first step towards a happier, healthier life.

Calling for Help

Now that you know how to get help with substance abuse and whether help for substance abuse is for you or not, you might be compelled to contact a treatment professional for you or your loved one suffering from addiction.

If so, Outpatient LA can help you get the help needed to get better. Contact us today and help substance abuse be a thing of the past,

It is well known that drug addiction and alcohol addiction have some common causes; however, not everyone develops an addiction from simply consuming a substance. There are those who can drink often without troubling themselves with the burden of dependence, while others nearly immediately fall victim to it.

In the same way as other mental health disorders, there are a number of reasons for addiction that influence the development of the disorder. 

Let’s have a look at what leads to addiction

What Causes Addiction?

The prolonged abuse of substances can increase the risk of addiction, the more a person uses, the more tolerance they build—eventually leading to physical dependence.

But that’s not always the case, for some people addiction develops gradually over time, while others fall into addictive habits rather quickly.

Everyone reacts differently to substances, leading to the question— what leads to addiction? and why do some people develop addiction quicker than others?

Addiction is a multifaceted disease, really complex, and it can be challenging to pinpoint specific reasons for addiction. Some may point to an emotional problem, others to a spiritual one. 

It’s still largely unknown what exactly causes it but we are well aware of factors that can influence its development. Generally speaking, the more risk factors present in a person, the greater their likelihood of becoming addicted.

What Are The Causes of Addiction

In terms of drug and alcohol addiction, there are two main categories of risk:

• Environmental Addiction Causes: The surroundings in which a person grows up, the culture they are a part of, and their family history can all play a role in shaping their behavior and attitudes towards drug use. Social influences and traumatic experiences can also drive a person to abuse drugs and become addicted.
• Biological Addiction Causes: Drug addiction and alcoholism are not caused by any specific gene; however, addiction runs in families, which may point to genetic traits as controlling factors. Overconsumption of drugs and alcohol may cause imbalances in the body, which in turn may lead to physical and mental dependence.

Risk Factors For Addiction

It is possible to break down biological and environmental risk categories into different factors that might contribute to addiction. Among them are:

• Consumption: The first time a person tries drugs or alcohol, it is a personal choice. After continued use, tolerance and dependency may develop; however, no one is born addicted to these substances. 

A substance like alcohol is not addictive for everyone; many people consume it without any problems, but for those at risk of addiction, it may be different.

As an example, drinking alcohol regularly is one of the causes of alcoholism, as the body builds tolerance and dependence over time. Addictive drugs are no different. Drug addiction is caused by prolonged use, particularly in those with a high dependency risk.

Drugs and alcohol consumed at an early age can also affect the way the brain develops, leading to addiction. It is also critical to consider how drugs are consumed. 

As an example, the injection of drugs intravenously may accelerate addiction faster than smoking them.

• Family History: Although no specific gene has been identified as causing addiction, family history remains a significant addiction-influencing factor.

It is also possible that household education is one of the reasons for addiction. When a parent abuses alcohol, a child may assume it’s okay to do the same. 

Consumption of alcohol, for example, is a response to conflict or pain based on what someone has witnessed their parents or another family member do. 

A child who has been abused by an alcoholic parent may also be at risk for addiction.

• Mental Health Disorders: People with mental health disorders such as depression, attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), or post-traumatic stress disorder are more likely to become drug addicts. When drugs are used to cope with painful feelings, such as anxiety, depression, and loneliness, they can worsen these issues.

Getting Help

Now that you understand what leads to addiction, you might want to seek immediate treatment for yourself or your loved ones.

 Outpatient LA can provide you or those you love with the help you need to get sober today and diagnose the underlying causes of addiction.

Ask how we can help you by contacting Outpatient LA today!

It might surprise you to learn that nearly 40 million Americans, many of whom are primarily women, have been labeled as codependent. But what might not be as surprising is the links between codependency and addiction.

Like two branches of the same tree, addiction and codependency are often interlinked. 

Let’s take a closer look at the impact codependency has on addiction.

What is Codependency?

Codependency is a behavior that produces unhealthy relationship dynamics, where one person becomes overly reliant on the other for emotional or psychological support.

Like addiction, codependency can be considered to be an obsession with someone—an addiction to a person that often has a negative impact on both parties. 

Similar to the way an addict will abuse a substance despite it being harmful, a codependent person will attach themselves to a relationship knowing it’s unhealthy for them.

Codependency is not something a person is born with, but rather a learned behavior. As with all other behaviors, it can be changed with some form of behavioral therapy. 

The behavior can also be passed down to younger generations or other people who might learn the behavior from you.

Given the many similarities between addiction and codependency, it’s common for codependency and addiction to be found in the same household.

Characteristics Of Codependent People

The majority of codependents have benevolent intentions. Their view of themselves is that they are the caretaker and must be loyal and loving to those they care for.

Codependent people have the following characteristics:

• Low or a lack of self-esteem
• Finding it hard to be themselves
• Difficulty making choices without approval
• Abusing drugs or alcohol
• Workaholism, gambling, or other addictive traits
• Exaggerated sense of responsibility towards others
• Confusing love and pity
• Put in more than they get out
• Fear of abandonment
• Lack of boundaries
• Get in trouble to cover for a partner
• Feeling responsible for other people’s feelings

Can Codependency Impact Addiction?

It’s common for codependents and addicts to live under the same roof. Those suffering from addiction are more likely to display this behavior, but it’s not exclusive to them.

Addiction and codependency have many similarities, and there are many ways in which codependency can contribute to addiction.

For one thing, codependency can have a strong emotional impact on the person suffering from it. This could lead them to seek substances as a way to relieve their emotional pain. Being prone to addictive behaviors, the unhealthy outlet can ultimately develop into addiction. 

Another way in which codependency can contribute to addiction is by enabling the addict’s behavior. A codependent person might make excuses for the addict in the relationship, or if both parties are addicted they could make pretexts for each other. This denial attitude could worsen the addiction and encourage the addicted party to continue with their unhealthy habits.

Dual Diagnosis

While codependency is not technically a mental illness, the behavior can affect the patient in ways similar to that of a mental health disorder. 

Because codependency affects addiction, a codependent person could be at risk of relapse if the condition is not treated. 

For example, a conflictive or perturbed partner could sabotage the progress of the recovering addict, sometimes even intentionally. 

The complex dynamics of a close relationship where codependents and addiction are found can create a challenging environment for those in recovery.

The addict might be better off detoxing away from their partner or from any other conflictive relatives or friends. Family or CBT Therapy could also help improve the condition.

Are You Codependent?

You should seek professional help if you believe you are codependent and cannot find a way out of your current situation.

Taking on codependency and drug addiction alone can be difficult, and it may even become dangerous if the relationship turns violent.

There is no need to worry if you or someone you care about is struggling with codependency and addiction! You can count on us for assistance!

At Outpatient LA we offer dual-diagnosis therapy among other treatments that can help you or your loved ones overcome codependency and addiction together.

Contact Outpatient LA today and ask how we can help!

Addiction lacks prejudice, when it comes down to it everyone can be a victim no matter their creed, race, or sex. Generally speaking, we are all equally susceptible to falling prey to it.

But given biological and social disparities, women and men could react differently to the way they consume substances and the types of substances they prefer to abuse.

Let’s have a look at some of the drugs commonly abused by women.

Differences In Addiction Between Men and Women

If we take a close look at addiction data we can notice some differences in the way addiction affects women and men.

For one thing, women’s substance abuse data shows that they are less likely to abuse nearly all kinds of drugs than men.  However, this does not mean men are more susceptible to addiction than women.

On the contrary, data shows that they are not just as likely to develop an addiction as men do, but they are actually more likely to relapse and more susceptible to cravings.

In fact, substance abuse is more likely to lead to emergency room visits or fatal overdoses in women.

Researchers generally point towards biological and social factors as the reason behind these differences. 

Social differences include:

• Childcare responsibilities
• Pregnancy
• Addiction stigma
• Relationships dynamics
• Gender dynamics

Biological differences include:

• Weight
• Hormonal differences
• Body size

Most Common Drug Abused by Women

It’s estimated that close to 20 million women in the US (15.4%) have used illicit drugs, a considerably high number of the population. But not all drugs hold the same relevance for women.

Let’s dive into each of the drugs most commonly abused by women.

Stimulants

There is evidence that women prefer the rewarding effects of stimulants which could be in part due to hormonal differences.

The same reports show that women might have an inclination towards amphetamines due to their energetic and weight loss effects.

Females are typically more dependent on amphetamines than men. Making stimulants one of the top drugs commonly abused by women.

MDMA

There is research suggesting that MDMD could induce stronger hallucinations in women than it does in men. However, the drug also strikes harder on the way down as women reported feeling more depressed after using the drug than men did.

While young women tend to have a stronger preference for MDMA, they are unfortunately more likely to die from swelling in the brain caused by over hydration induced by MDMA.

Alcohol

Alcohol is not only the most commonly abused drug in America but it’s also the most popular among women. Drinking is most common among young women between 20 and 30 who are unmarried. 

While drinking is popular among females. It’s also most detrimental to their health. Over the long term, it’s more likely to damage their health than a man’s.

Women also metabolize alcohol differently than men do, due to a lack of the enzymes that help break it down. This causes a higher concentration of ethanol in their blood than man.

Depressants

Benzodiazepines have long been a preferred drug by women, this could be largely due to the fact that women are prescribed depressants more often than men. 

Two out of three prescriptions for depressants are given to women as they tend to be more prompt to diagnosis which might require the prescription of depressants like Xanax or Valium. 

This disparity in the prescription of the drug could be partly at fault for the imbalance between men’s and women’s abuse of depressants.

Help for Women

All forms of treatment are suitable for women, although there are specific resources that are offered for females like women-only 12-step groups.

Regardless of the addiction, women’s substance abuse can be detrimental and dangerous which is why it’s critical for them to get immediate help.

At Outpatient LA we offer treatment for women as well as luxurious privacy that can allow you or your loved one to feel safe in a welcoming and caring environment.

Contact Outpatient LA today and speak to one of our admission professionals— when it comes to women’s substance abuse we got you covered!