Helpful Information

Mental Illness, Alcoholism, Addiction
Psychiatry is a relatively new field of study and therefore mental illnesses are already hard to diagnosis without the added complication of addiction or alcoholism. There are many different types of mental illnesses: some more severe than others, some with more facets and symptoms. Commonly know mental illnesses include depression, manic-depression (a.k.a. bipolar disorder), schizophrenia, anxiety disorders, sociopathy. These mental illnesses are difficult alone, however when coupled with addiction their symptoms are magnified and multiplied.

Millions of people suffer from mild to chronic depression, bipolar disorder and anxiety disorders. Depression is most often treated with various types of anti-depressants, which may or may not solve the chemical imbalance in the brain. Psychiatry is not an exact science and it is difficult to figure out whether or not a suggested treatment will work on any given individual. When mixed with alcohol or other drugs anti-depressants have reverse effects, causing a more severe depression and ‘crash’ rather than lessening the feelings.

Anxiety disorders are also a very common sort of mental illness and can be treated with anti-anxiety medicines, often times depressants that are used to calm the body and mind. Anti-anxiety medicines alone can cause undesirable side effects including severe drowsiness, nausea and difficulty handling machinery and heavy equipment. When mixed with drugs, anxiety disorders can either become similar to severe types of depression, or they can remain completely untreated.

Other mental illnesses also have negative reactions to the use of alcohol and illicit drugs and abstinence is highly suggested as a starting both for dealing with both illnesses simultaneously.