Self Medicating

Let's talk about the very human tendency to avoid discomfort. I don't know anyone personally, although I'm sure that saints exist, who hasn't had a glass of wine or a cocktail medicinally. By medicinally, I mean for the primary purpose of the depressant effect of alcohol - in other words, to relax or calm down. Nicotine - the primary drug in cigarette smoke - can increase concentration, decrease tension, and actually causes an increase in the amount of dopamine in the brain, acting as an antidepressant. Marijuana and prescription pain medications induce relaxation and euphoria, a terrific sensation of well being. These outcomes are all very desirable.

Unfortunately, these temporary outcomes all come at a terrible long-term cost. Of the estimated 14 million plus adults that suffer from serious brain disorders in the US, at least 3 million have been treated for substance abuse. About 20% of Americans smoke, but it's believed that nearly 90% of people with schizophrenia are smokers. In a culture that encourages us to "take a pill" for nearly everything, we must consider that these substances affect our most vulnerable area - brain chemistry. Just as our prescription medication for depression, our antipsychotics and such, don't always work as well for us as they do the next guy- so drugs, cigarettes and alcohol can have unpredictable effects as well.

Substance abuse often masks the symptoms of mental illness, even as it erodes the physical health of the abuser. Many drugs used for brain disorders are toxic to the liver and can't be used after years of alcohol abuse. Studies have shown that marijuana use can dramatically increase the onset of psychosis. And don't even get me started on the cancer and other lovely perks of cigarettes. As if treatment for co-occurring disorders wasn't complicated enough, it often involves yet another territorial wing of the health care system. So it won't be funded through your provider, or your SA provider won't cooperate with your mental health provider, and the list goes on. Do we really need more complications in our lives?

I know, I know. One more thing that we - consumers (hate that word!) can't do. Everyone else can have that drink, or take a toke, or have a smoke with minimal damage - maybe. But we need to try to just say "no." More info on co-occurring disorders here.