Is Addiction a Mental Illness?

A drug addiction, otherwise referred to as a substance use disorder (SUD), is a condition in which a person is unable to control their use of a substance despite the harmful consequences. People with drug addictions are intensely focused on the substance(s) in question, which can include alcohol, tobacco, and prescription and illicit drugs, to the point where they struggle to function without them and even neglect their other responsibilities. A major sign of addiction is when the individual continues to use drugs or alcohol even when they’re aware of the problems it causes or will cause. Because addiction is just as much mental as it is physical, many people have wondered, “Is addiction a mental illness?” Our rehab in Banyan Lake Worth rehab dives into this topic to further explain the difference and provide information on co-occurring disorders.

Is Addiction Considered a Mental Illness?

So, is addiction a mental illness? Yes. According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) and Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), drug addiction is considered both a complex brain disorder and a mental illness.¹

Addiction is more specifically defined as a chronic, relapsing disorder characterized by compulsive drug-seeking behavior and continued substance use despite harmful consequences. Addiction is the most severe form of a full spectrum of substance use disorders. It is a medical illness caused by repeated misuse of one or more substances.

Long-term substance abuse can replace a person’s normal needs and desires with drugs and alcohol. The resulting compulsive behaviors weaken impulse control, despite the obvious and negative consequences, which are hallmarks of other mental disorders.

But how does this happen? Drugs like painkillers, heroin, cocaine, methamphetamine, and alcohol are all addictive, ultimately because they activate the release of the chemical dopamine. Whether these drugs relax or excite the central nervous system, they all activate the release of dopamine, which plays a role in pain and reinforces pleasurable behaviors.

When a person uses any of these substances, they may feel euphoric, relaxed, or energized. As they continue to use these substances, their physical tolerance begins to grow, requiring them to take higher doses for the same effect. Before they know it, they reach addiction, a point at which they’re so obsessed with getting high or intoxicated that they worry about little else.

Because addiction is a mental illness and a brain disease, drug rehabilitation facilities like our BHOPB detox center offer drug therapy programs like biofeedback and cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) to help patients understand the causes of their conditions and how their thoughts influence their behaviors. We’ve helped many patients overcome their substance use disorders by managing their physical withdrawal symptoms through medically monitored detox as well as the psychological repercussions of drug use through therapy. Those battling addiction in need of recovery resources can get the help they need at our rehab.

What Is the Relationship Between Mental Illness and Substance Use?

The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM), which is the definitive resource for diagnosing criteria for all mental disorders, also includes criteria for diagnosing drug use disorders. The DSM includes two types of drug use disorders: drug abuse and drug dependence. Drug dependence is similar to addiction in that it refers to a physical and psychological urge to use drugs or alcohol.

A drug abuse diagnosis is dependent on the harmful consequences of repeated use but doesn’t include compulsive use, tolerance, or withdrawal, all of which can be signs of addiction. So, in other words, the definitive resource for diagnosing mental illnesses also includes criteria for diagnosing drug use disorders, meaning addictions are mental illnesses.

Furthermore, many people who use drugs or alcohol also suffer from mental disorders. Co-occurring disorders and comorbidity are terms commonly used to describe two or more disorders or illnesses occurring in the same person. These conditions can either occur at the same time or one after the other.

Comorbidity also includes interactions between these illnesses that can worsen one or both. Many people who engage in substance abuse also develop other mental disorders, and people who suffer from mental disorders will often engage in substance abuse.

One study found that 36% to 40% of young adults with a serious mental illness or young adults seeking treatment also met the criteria for substance use disorders.² Another study found that more than 60% of adolescents in their treatment studies had comorbid substance use and non-SUD.³

As a result of the chemical imbalance caused by drug and alcohol abuse, the individual may develop depression or anxiety. On the other hand, people with disorders like post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), anxiety, or depression may turn to substance abuse as a coping mechanism for their symptoms.

For instance, a person who struggles with major depression may enjoy the temporary pleasure and happiness they experience from cocaine, meth, or prescription stimulants. However, a drug high is merely temporary and becomes even more so as drug use persists, and the person’s tolerance grows.

Oftentimes, the question “Is drug addiction a mental illness?” is sparked by a recent event. As a Lake Worth drug rehab, we know that addiction and mental illness do not discriminate and can occur in anyone. This fact has become more evident in the prevalence of substance abuse and mental illness among celebrities. Since the start of Hollywood, there have been heartbreaking stories of celebrities like Marilyn Monroe and Robin Williams who have struggled with substance abuse and mental health issues.

If you or someone you know is battling an addiction and/or mental health disorder, we can help. BHOPB offers dual diagnosis treatment for people with co-occurring disorders, as well as a substance-specific addiction treatment in Lake Worth.

If you’d like to learn more about our mental health programs or other levels of addiction treatment, call Behavioral Health of the Palm Beaches at 561-220-3981 or send us your contact information, and an admission specialist will reach out to you.

Sources:

1. WYOLEG – Substance Use Disorder defined by NIDA and SAMHSA
2. NIH – Prevalence and impact of substance use among emerging adults with serious mental health conditions
3. NIH – Drug treatment outcomes for adolescents with comorbid mental and substance use disorders

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Ways to Improve Your Mental Health at Work

The Relationship Between Serotonin and Mental Illness