Mental illness the Cause of Addiction

Mental illnesses can lead to drug use and Addiction. Some mental disorders are known risk factors for developing a substance use disorder. It is commonly linked that people with severe, mild, or even undiagnosed mental conditions may use drugs as a form of self-medication.

Physically and emotionally traumatized people are more likely to abuse drugs. Individuals with PTSD will use substances to try and "feel better" and have less anxiety to avoid dealing with trauma and feelings.

Even though some drugs may momentarily make someone with mental illness feel better, they can also make things worse at that time and in the long run.

There are many reasons some people become addicted to substances or behaviors or both. Often using substances is a convenient cover-up for mental illness. Then some overindulge and become addicted. Many addicts have a "dual diagnosis" of substance abuse and mental illness.

Addiction is both a biological process and learned behavior. The amount of each varies with the Addiction. In gambling, for example, much of the Addiction is learned, but it causes various biological changes in the brain. Addiction to an opiate or nicotine has a much more significant physical component, but learning is also involved. Treatment of Addiction needs to be mentally and socially approached, dealing with the biology when possible and with the learned behavior. Some medications block or lessen some cravings, such as nicotine, Addiction to meth, heroin, and nicotine—as examples remain very hard to treat with high relapse rates. But—so is the treatment of people with gambling addictions.

The help is out there for individuals who seek it. In Stanislaus County alone, there are over 20 treatment programs to help. These services offer counseling, childcare, parenting classes, in-patient and out-patient. There are also detox centers where they can kick the drugs they are on and receive medical care while they withdraw from their drug of choice. In Stanislaus County, there are also many mental health programs to help with mental disorders; they offer medications and counseling, and some provide housing in a community with other mental health individuals.

Redwood's treatment center is where women can receive treatment in a live-in environment. It is the only treatment center in Stanislaus County where women can live with their children and receive treatment simultaneously. According to Paula McDowell expert in addiction treatment and Program Director for Redwood Family Treatment Center. They are not required to pay rent, but the program does help them get on county aid/food stamps, and they use that to pay program fees. They also put some of it aside for them every month, so when they leave the program, they have something to put down as a down payment to get into their own home. They will also help the women with Section 8 vouchers when funding is available.