As any practitioner can tell you, there are plenty of “chicken vs. egg” moments in the realm of mental health care. For example, someone struggling with a substance use issues may also be showing signs of depression, anxiety, or bipolar disorder. But what comes first? There is an abundance of evidence that positions either the substance use or the disorder as the primary issue. Truth be told, each case is unique and requires due diligence when it comes to diagnosis and treatment.
In the interest of breaking down these processes, let’s take a look at how substance use can intersect with depression, anxiety, or bipolar disorder.
Anxiety and Addiction
If you’re already dealing with substance use issues, anxiety can likely escalate the likelihood that you might try to self-medicate. Just as likely, the cycle can start with an anxiety disorder diagnosis. Often, this means you’ll may be prescribed a medication like Xanax, Valium, Prozac, etc. But here’s the catch: These medications are addictive.
In other words, a person with anxiety can develop tolerance and may take ill-advised measures to get more medication in order to relieve their symptoms. If they are unable to procure the over-the-counter medication, they may be tempted to try alcohol or recreational drugs to serve a similar purpose.
Of course, if you are being treated for a substance use disorder, your medical team must be made aware of this. Such a scenario might rule out medication as a treatment option.
Depression and Addiction
Once again, this can be a cycle that starts from either end. The symptoms of substance use disorder can contribute mightily to mood issues. Then, of course, a depressed mood can be frequently one root cause of self-medicating. The two conditions can be so intertwined as to defy any assessment of what came first.
A good starting point is to examine your behaviour. If any of the following choices are common, you may want to query whether depression (or other mental health concern) is an issue:
- You feel cravings for drugs or alcohol
- You’ve tried to stop but had no success
- Your tolerance for the substances has palpably increased
- Risky behaviors have become the norm
- Your substance use is negatively impacting your daily life, e.g., relationships, personal health, finances, job, and more
Bipolar Disorder and Addiction
Since bipolar causes extreme mood shifts, it can initially mimic the signs of substance use disorder. To an outsider, someone with bipolar can very much be mistaken for a person misusing drugs or alcohol. Even to the person, there may not be clarity as to what’s going on.
Here are a few important factors to consider:
- Consuming addictive substances can change your brain and hence lead to a condition like bipolar
- The manic phase of bipolar disorder resembles the behavior of someone abusing stimulants
- When a depressive bipolar episode emerges, it can appear like a case of textbook drug or alcohol withdrawal
- Discerning the causes from the effects requires the trained eye of an experienced mental health professional
Where Do You Begin With Dealing With Any of This?
If any of the above feels familiar, it shouldn’t be taken lightly. All of the disorders discussed — anxiety, depression, bipolar, and substance use — require professional intervention. Since there is so much overlap and grey area, you may be tempted to figure it out for yourself. Sure, with diligent work and an open mind, you can learn a lot from such self-education. But there’s no denying that such mental health conditions can create major blind spots.
Ideally, you will want to connect with an experienced therapist who can evaluate your symptoms and history with skill and competence. Therapy is a path that can help you identify the root causes of your symptoms and set you on a path toward effective treatment and healthy recovery.
Reach to explore options? Reach out to our office today to set up your first appointment.
