Drug addiction is a widely used term for substance use disorder. This condition influences an individual’s brain, therefore, behavior. Drugs can be either legal or illegal, such as opioids, stimulants, sedatives, heroin, alcohol, marijuana, nicotine. Such addiction interferes with the brain chemistry via neurotransmitters.
Therefore, different ranges of psychological and physical changes are bound to come. This blog gives information about how drug addiction affects one’s psychological well-being. Serotonin, dopamine, noradrenaline, and other neurotransmitters have a role in regulating one’s mental state. You may consult a medical expert at the best psychiatric hospital in Siliguri town.
Read on to get more insight into the topic.
Given in the directory below are four psychological effects of substance use disorder:
1. Anxiety Disorders
Simply put, anxiety is when you feel worried, tensed, fear concerning situations. Anxiousness on a normal level is the body’s natural response to stress. But if the condition goes extreme, expert attention is of need. Anxiety disorders are significant side effects of drug addiction or addiction withdrawal effects, including difficulties like:
- Restlessness
- Sleep disturbances/insomnia
- Repetitive anxious thoughts
- Difficulty concentrating
- Fear of dying
- Fast heartbeat
- Breathing difficulties
- Sweating
- Weakness/fatigue
- Trembling
- Gastrointestinal issues
2. Bipolar Disorder
Episodes of emotional high and low are what bipolar disorders. It involves two poles of mood. Bipolar disorders cause extreme mood swings that are sure to affect the quality of life. Your euphoric state of mind suddenly turns into depression. Signs rest on each type:
Manic/Euphoria
- Extremely elevated mood
- Too much self-confidence
- Racing thoughts
- Excessive hopefulness, happiness
- Rapid speech
- Abnormally high sex drive
- Making poor investments
- Less need for sleep
Depressive Mood/ The Lows
- Sadness
- Lack of interest
- Loss of energy, appetite
- Increased appetite
- Forgetfulness
- Hopelessness
- A feeling of worthlessness
- Less sex drive
- Insomnia
- Crying
- Self-harming thoughts/actions
- Sleep issues
3. Depression
A mood disorder marked by a persistent state of hopelessness, sadness, loss of interest, etc. Depression produces severe effects on mental wellness. Major depressive disorder, commonly known as clinical depression, requires medical assistance. Lifestyle management in combination with therapies or medications helps fight the condition. Noticeable changes can be seen in individuals dealing with depression:
- A feeling of being stuck in sadness
- Losing hope that better things can happen
- Sleeping too much or experiencing sleep disturbances
- Agitation, restlessness
- Guilt, self-blaming
- Headaches
- Back pain
- Lack of interest, energy
- Recurrent thoughts of self-harm
-
Slow movements slowed speaking
4. Drug-Induced Psychosis
Psychosis refers to a mental disorder that causes disconnection from reality. It’s a group of symptoms that can result from schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, or other health conditions. Reaching out to the best rehab in Siliguri to see theleading psychiatrists. Here, drug-induced psychosis develops when there’s excessive consumption of substances/drugs. Signs of this disorder can be:
- Episodes of Hallucination
- Delusion
- Confusion
- Paranoia
- Anti-social behavior
- Difficulty concentrating
- Poor performance in school, work
- Social withdrawal
- Withdrawal from loved ones
-
Frozen appearance
Treatment plans depend upon the type of condition, and the extremity of the condition. Doctors, based on the diagnostic reports, set medical care for optimum healing. Moreover, healing takes time and is not an overnight result. Let the experts help you overcome the effects of substance dependency in a healthy way.