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Substance use and mental illness
Published
12 years agoon
Posted By
AdminBy Megan Obert and Adina Smith Women in Action
Roughly 21 million American adults have an alcohol or drug addiction. Of these, nearly 50 percent also have mental health issues. The most common mental health issues that occur alongside substance addiction are depression and anxiety.
There is a chicken-egg debate about which is present first, the substance use or the mental illness. Some researchers propose substance addiction creates depression and anxiety because of the added work stress due to hangovers, substance use at work, difficulty concentrating, trouble sustaining relationships, increased financial problems, or constant worry about where to get the next fix. Others believe mental illness comes first, and to cope with the depression and/or anxiety some people self-medicate with alcohol or drugs.
Regardless, it’s apparent that a large and increasing number of people are suffering from both mental illness and substance abuse.
Doctors describe a person with both mental illness and substance addiction as having co-occurring disorders. The illness and addiction feed on each other, and having both often leads to a worsening of both if left untreated. Having these co-occurring disorders is also linked to having higher rates of chronic health problems and a higher mortality rate than the general population.
Seeking help for both disorders is more beneficial than just treating one. For example, a person could stop self-medicating with alcohol, but he or she might still feel depressed – in which case a relapse with alcohol is likely. In addition, alcohol and some illicit drugs exacerbate both depression and anxiety, decrease the effectiveness of anti-depressants, and make therapy less effective.
If you’re concerned about your alcohol or drug use, asking yourself the following questions can help determine if you need help:
– Have you ever felt the need to cut down on your drinking or drug use?
– Do you get annoyed at criticism by others about your drinking or drug use?
– Have you ever felt guilty about your drinking or drug use, or about something you did while drinking or using drugs?
– Have you ever felt the need for a drink or the use of drugs early in the morning?
One positive answer to any of these questions indicates you may be at risk for developing a problem with drugs and alcohol.
Megan Obert is the Big Sky Community Counseling intern. Adina Smith, Ph.D. is a psychologist and an Associate Professor in the MSU Department of Counseling.
Resources for substance addiction and mental illness
There are resources available in Big Sky for people suffering from substance addiction and/or mental illness.
The MSU Human Development Clinic, in partnership with Women In Action, provides low-cost counseling services on Mondays and Wednesdays. The clinic can help determine the presence of substance addiction and/or mental illness. It can also provide quality counseling for mental illness and when substance abuse treatment is necessary, counseling in conjunction with this treatment. Contact the Human Development Clinic at (406) 570-3907.
Another local resource, Alcoholics Anonymous, meets downstairs in the Big Sky Chapel on Tuesdays at 5:30 p.m., Thursdays at 8 p.m. and Saturdays at 7:30 a.m. These meetings are open and available to anyone interested in the AA program.
Upcoming Events
march, 2024
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Time
February 26 (Monday) - April 21 (Sunday)
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My Barking Dog is a nightmare comedy
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My Barking Dog is a nightmare comedy that tells the story of Toby and Melinda, two lonely people whose lives are forever changed the night they encounter a starving coyote at their apartment building. Over time they grow to expect him, leaving ritual offerings to entice the coyote every night. Toby and Melinda forge a connection over this visitor and share curiosity and concern about his presence in the city. The coyote expands their world–until, one night, their world is shattered. Their lives are pushed suddenly into uncharted territory, sending them on a surreal odyssey that changes their city–and the world–forever.
Directed by LX Miller. Starring Max Schneider and Denise Hergett
Verge Theater is continuing their mission to provide accessible theater to our community. Tickets for My Barking Dog are Pay What You Wish with a suggested price of $35. Audience members are offered the opportunity to select the price point that is comfortable for them when purchasing tickets.
My Barking Dog runs March 15-17, 22-24, 28-30
Performances on Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays begin at 7:00 p.m., with Sunday matinees offered at 3:00 p.m.
Suitable for ages 16 . No animals are harmed in the staging of this production.
Tickets are available online at www.vergetheater.com
Time
15 (Friday) 7:00 pm - 30 (Saturday) 8:30 pm
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Verge Theater
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Saturday, March 23rd 6:00-8:00pm We will combine the heart-opening powers of cacao with the transcendental powers of breathwork and sound. Together, these practices will give us the opportunity for a deep
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Saturday, March 23rd 6:00-8:00pm
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March 23 (Saturday) 6:00 pm - April 23 (Tuesday) 8:00 pm
Location
Santosha Wellness Center
169 Snowy Mountain Circle
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Thursday of the Lord’s Supper Mass St. Joseph Catholic Mission
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Thursday of the Lord’s Supper Mass
St. Joseph Catholic Mission
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(Thursday) 5:00 pm - 6:00 pm