Does marijuana use lead to psychiatric disorders

Does marijuana use lead to psychiatric disorders

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Due to a steady decline in the perception of the risks associated with marijuana, a large number of youngsters have been digressing toward this substance. Other major shifts that have exacerbated the situation include the recent public debates on the legalization of marijuana. According to the 2015 National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH), marijuana is the most widely used illegal drug in the United States, with 22.2 million people abusing it in the past month. The survey also highlighted that the majority of the users are men than women. Read more

Important steps employed during management of co-occurring disorders

Important steps employed during management of co-occurring disorders

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When an individual struggle with a substance use disorder (SUD) and a mental illness simultaneously, it is called dual diagnosis. According to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), in any given year, at least 7-9 million people grapple with a co-occurring disorder. Moreover, 50 percent of the population suffering from an alcohol and drug addiction are also inflicted with a mental illness, such as trauma, depression, personality disorders, anxiety and depression. Read more

Effects of street drugs on mental health

Effects of street drugs on mental health

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Street drugs are the highly addictive and dangerous drugs that can be obtained illegally from the streets and are used for their mood-altering and sedative effects. The streets are in fact, flooded with illegal drugs like cocaine, heroin, meth, MDMA, ecstasy etc. which can be detrimental to an individual’s physical and mental health. As drugs can alter one’s perceptions, it leads to several issues related to the body and the mind, such as hallucinations, delusions, muscle spasms, etc. According to a 2014 report by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), approximately eight million American adults battled with co-occurring disorders, including both a substance use disorder (SUD) and a mental health disorder at the same time. Read more

Comorbidity of depression and substance abuse detrimental to health

Comorbidity of depression and substance abuse detrimental to health

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“Drugs are a waste of time. They destroy your memory and your self-respect and everything that goes along with your self-esteem.” ― Kurt Cobain

The close relationship between mental disorders and substance abuse is like the proverbial “elephant in the living room” as no one wants to discuss such an uncomfortable issue. However, the co-occurrence of mental disorders and substance abuse heralds a number of challenges in a person’s life. Occasional low periods usually pass away smoothly, but when such emotionally gloomy phases persist for long then one is likely to be suffering from depression of other types of mental disorders. With millions of people grappling the challenges of depression, which keeps them away from living a normal and happy life. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates that 7.6 percent of Americans in the age group 12 and above were suffering from this psychiatric disorder in the period 2009 to 2012. Read more

Alcohol use disorders can cause cognitive dysfunctioning

Alcohol use disorders can cause cognitive dysfunctioning

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Frequent drinking habits or excessive alcohol consumption can lead to alcohol use disorders (AUDs). These disorders can further form the basis of other problems that can harm cognitive abilities. A group of researchers from the Ruhr-University Bochum in Germany found that those diagnosed with AUDs can face the problem of cognitive dysfunctioning. Read more