2. SMental Health
• Encompasses one’s social, emotional, and psychological well-being.
• The goal of mental health treatment is to increase one’s ability to function
on a day-to-day basis and feel good about oneself and the future.
• When people experience symptoms like mood swings, suicidal thoughts,
paranoia, anger, anxiety, and other issues, it can indicate the existence of
a mental illness
• Mental health disorders are treatable with psychotherapy and medication.
4. It’s not an uncommon issue
S Alcohol or drugs are often used to self-medicate
S Alcohol and drug abuse can increase underlying risk for
mental disorders
S Alcohol and drug abuse can make symptoms of a mental
health problem worse
5. What are the causes of a mental illness
S Genetics and family history
S Life experiences
S Biological issues
S Traumatic brain injury
S Prenatal exposure to certain
toxins or viruses
S Drug use and abuse
S Chronic medical conditions
There is no one cause for mental illness. Rather, it is often a combination
of issues. According to Medline Plus, these can include:
7. Mood Disorders
S Many intense, persistent, inconsistent and/or
unmanageable signs of substance abuse such as:
Severe mood swings Chronic depression
Emotional outbursts Compulsive behavior
8. Anxiety
Life involves worry, stress and
fear and anxiety affects the
mind and body
This is natural and often beneficial
S Common signs
S Excessive tension and worry
S Feeling restless or jumpy
S Irritability or feeling “on edge”
S Racing heart or shortness of
breath
S Nausea, trembling, or dizziness
S Muscle tension, headaches
S Trouble concentrating
S Insomnia
9. Anxiety and
substance
use
S Alcohol initially soothes
worry and physical
agitation of anxiety
S Over time it makes it worse
S Prolonged impacts include
insomnia, fatigue,
jumpiness, poor appetite
10. Depression: Common Signs
S Feelings of helplessness and
hopelessness
S Loss of interest in daily activities
S Inability to experience pleasure
S Appetite or weight changes
S Sleep changes
S Loss of energy
S Strong feelings of
worthlessness or guilt
S Concentration problems
S Anger, physical pain, and
reckless behavior (especially in
men)
11. Depression
S Triggers use of substances to self medicate
S Effects of intoxication or withdrawal can resemble signs of depressive
disorder
S Neurological factors that cause depression may predispose the
individual to alcohol or drug addiction
S Those that have a co-occurring disorder of depression and substance
use disorder are more likely to drop out of treatment.
12. Bipolar
S Changes in mood and energy are natural in life and we can
experience peaks and valleys
S Usually intense ups and downs that are prolonged may be sign
of bipolar disorder.
S Substance abuse is extremely common in people with bipolar disorder.
S May use depressants or stimulants to regulate their emotions.
S May feel powerful or invincible when in a manic phase and will engage in risk-
taking or compulsive behaviors.
13. What does mania in bipolar disorder look like?
S Inflated self confidence
S Short temper, anger or rage
S Rapid thinking or talking
S Excessive physical activity
S Lack of mental focus and
distractibility
S Decreased need for sleep
S Taking on new projects
S Increased attention to activities
like substance abuse, shopping
or gambling
14. ADHD
S Symptoms interfere with job prospects, relationships and
financial stability
S Alcohol can help curb some symptoms including distractibility,
restlessness and impulsivity. Substances can worsen some
neurological and psychological effects of ADHD such as
edginess, poor concentration , depression and anxiety.
S Drugs and alcohol do not cause this disorder
15. Anger
S Natural emotion for all humans in
which someone feels strongly
annoyed, displeased or hostile
S Tells us when something,
someone or ourselves are being
threatened-fear based emotion.
S Having overwhelming anger with
lack of skill in reacting effectively
can intensify anger issues.
S Difficulty regulating emotions
related to anger might lead
some to cope through
substance use.
S This can exacerbate problems
rather than subdue than
