Abstract

A SURVEY REPORT ON SUBSTANCE ABUSE AND MENTAL HEALTH

Siya Sharma*, Ankit Sharma, Tushar Chauhan, Sourav Thakur, Vipasha Kango, Ritesh

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Abstract

There is a complex connection between substance addiction and mental health issues that influences diagnosis and treatment. Many individuals who develop substance use disorder are also diagnosed with mental health disorder and vice versa. Many national surveys have found that about half of those who have a mental illness during their lives will also experience a substance use disorder and vice versa. This project examines the intersection of substance abuse and mental health from a pharmacological perspective. Pharmacological treatments are essential for managing both substance abuse and its associated mental health disorders. Medications such as naltrexone, methadone, buprenorphine are widely used in treating opioid dependence, while benzodiazepines and SSRIs are employed to manage anxiety and depression. By acknowledging the intricate relationship between substance abuse and mental health, we can develop person centred strategies to address these interconnected public health concerns. The consequences of untreated substance abuse and mental health disorder can be devastating, leading to increased risk of overdose, suicide and long-term health damage. Furthermore, the economic burden of these disorder is substantial, impacting healthcare systems, productivity and societal wellbeing. By this research we found out that there isn’t enough professional help available in our society and people still find it difficult to talk about their mental health and instead of professional help they tend to use drugs because it makes them feel temporarily better.

Keywords: Depression, Health damage, Anxiety, Pharmacological treatment, Mental illness, suicide.