Community Blog
The Effects of Economic Trouble on Mental Health: Substance Abuse
Substance abuse can take many forms. Having one too many drinks after work or needing three to four sleeping pills at night to sleep are common problems, particularly when stress and worry over financial concerns is heavy on your mind. If you think that you or someone you love may be dealing with substance abuse, please keep reading for more information.
Signs of Substance Abuse
Substance abuse is physical, mental, and/or emotional dependency on a substance such as alcohol or even legally prescribed medications.
Physical Signs
- Restlessness
- Insomnia or sleeping too much
- Confusion or disorientation
- Excessive coughing or persistent bronchitis (normally associated with smoked drugs)
- Issues with nosebleeds (normally associated with snorted drugs)
- Wearing long-sleeved shirts, even in warm weather (due to hiing injection sites for drugs taken by injection)
Mental/Emotional Signs
- Increased energy
- Increased anger or irritability
- Unresponsiveness
- Depression
- Delusions
- Hallucinations
- Violent behavior that was not present before
If you or a lovede one have these signed, please visit, www.centermh.org for more information.
Causes of Substance Abuse
Substance abuse can be caused by a variety of factors: heredity, mental illness, physical pain, and even peer pressure can all play a role in addiction. Most people who suffer from addition have a hard time "self-soothing" meaning that they have a hard time dealing with physical or emotional pain without the aid of drugs or alcohol.
Substance Abuse Recovery
If you have a loved one dealing with substance abuse, the road ahead will be long. You can help, buty you cannot MAKE your loved one stop taking drugs. Your role will be to provide support so that better decisions can be made.
Recovery is possible! If you suspect that you or a loved one may have a substance abuse problem, you are probably right. The Center for Mental Health provides substance abuse evaluations and treatment plans that include therapy and life-skills training to teach you how to cope better with the issues of life. We have individual, group, and family therapy as well as case management and consultation services.
Getting Help
Asking for help is hard, but you don't have to be alone. If you or someone you love is struggling with substance abuse, please visit www.centermh.org for more information about our services and how we can help you get back to yourself.
Not in the Colorado area? Visit www.nami.org for a list of mental health professionals in your area.
