Substance use disorders and mental health

Substance use disorders affect millions of Americans every year. While alcohol use disorder is the most common, opioid use is also a major concern in the U.S., claiming around 200 lives per day.

Substance use disorder is a mental health issue as well as a physical health issue, with most treatments involving some kind of psychological therapy alongside medication. But mental health and substance use are even more linked than many realize—and understanding this connection can help anyone, be it an employer or family member, better support individuals struggling with alcohol or drug addiction, or illnesses like depression.

Let’s look at some of the ways mental health conditions impact substance use disorders—and vice versa—as well as the risk factors both share.

How mental health conditions can impact substance use

Poor mental health can contribute to someone’s risk of substance use disorder. Individuals who are anxious or depressed, for example, might turn to alcohol or drugs to self-medicate. While this might provide relief in the short term, their condition could worsen over time, or they could develop other symptoms (such as chronic pain) that contribute to a further decline in mental health.

While few studies directly prove that mental health issues lead to substance use disorders, much of the research shows a strong correlation between the two. A 2021 meta-analysis on alcohol use disorders, for example, reports that people with common mental health conditions are twice as likely to report an alcohol use disorder as those without a common mental health condition. A report from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) in the same year found that 19.4 million adults had a substance use disorder alongside a mental health disorder.

How substance use can further impact mental health

If someone is struggling with their mental health, overusing a substance like alcohol or opioids can exacerbate the issue in a number of ways. For example, they might spiral further into depression or anxiety if they lose a job or a relationship, or if they face financial hardship because of their substance use.

Substance misuse also rewires the brain, affecting mood and motivation. After an initial “high,” many people experience a “comedown” of negative emotions, such as agitation and exhaustion. Withdrawal from a substance, where the individual must continue taking it in order to maintain the “high,” can also provoke feelings of paranoia, irritability, and confusion, or symptoms such as nausea and muscle pain—further aggravating any mental illness someone might have.

Risk factors that mental illness and substance use disorders share

Mental illness and substance use disorders share several risk factors that could lead to someone developing one or both of these conditions, including:

• Adverse childhood experiences (ACE), trauma, or PTSD: Trauma in an individual’s childhood or adulthood can lead to both poor mental health and substance use disorders. One recent study concluded that adults with any history of ACE are about four times as likely to develop a substance use disorder as those without a history of ACE. PTSD, meanwhile, often co-occurs with SUD and other mental health issues, and is treated holistically to address each condition simultaneously.
• Family history: If mental illness runs in someone’s family, that could increase their likelihood of developing a mental illness, too—some research suggests genes play a part in the risk. Similarly, if a relative has an SUD, that also contributes to the risk level.
• Psychological stressors: Divorce, a death in the family, or financial troubles can also increase the risk of both developing a mental health issue and struggling with substances like alcohol and/or drugs.
• Pregnancy-related depression: Postpartum depression (PPD) has been linked to substance use in scientific research, with one 2023 study finding that substance users had a higher risk of PPD compared to non-users.

How Carrum Health can help

According to SAMSHA’s 2021 report, 40.7 million people with an illicit drug or alcohol use disorder from the previous year did not receive treatment at a specialty facility, and only 1% of that group actually tried to get treatment.

There are a lot of barriers to entry to receiving high-quality substance use treatment, including cost, access, and stigma. Carrum Health aims to break down these barriers for all populations with a value-based substance use program dedicated to high-quality, personalized treatments that keep costs low and tied to patient outcomes.

By partnering with a centers of excellence (COE) program like Carrum’s, companies win as well—saving money while ensuring their staff get the best possible care. You can learn more about our options and clinical team for substance use here.
 

Long-term recovery from substance use disorders requires tackling the mental health components of the condition as fiercely as the physical components. With the right healthcare providers, support team, and benefits package, that can become a reality for anyone, no matter their financial, living, or work situation.

The information contained on this page is for informational purposes only. No material is intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.