How Do Alcohol and Drugs Affect Mental Health in Men?

Excessive substance use has many harmful effects on men physically, emotionally, and mentally. The longer a man uses alcohol and drugs, the greater risk to his mental health and the greater risk of developing substance use disorder (SUD). Individuals struggling with SUD experience a number of chronic conditions due to long-term substance use.

Though some chronic illnesses can be treated, others can be lethal. Furthermore, the risks of overdose can also cause catastrophic consequences. The only way to prevent them is to quit substance use altogether. If you are struggling with addiction, consider your treatment options today. Healing Pines is a men’s alcohol rehab in Colorado.

Why Do People Begin Self-Medicating With Alcohol and Drugs?

Individuals turn to using alcohol and drugs for many reasons, but many do so because they think it helps in the short term as a form of self-medication. People use alcohol and drugs to cope with life stressors despite being aware of potential consequences. It goes without saying that there are many dangers of self-medicating, including short- and long-term effects, the development of chronic conditions, and the risk of overdose. However, one of the biggest dangers is that self-medicating can easily lead to SUD.

As for why some men decide to self-medicate, these reasons are limitless. On average, many people turn to substance use to cope with trauma. All of us experience some form of trauma in our lives. We have a natural inclination or response to trauma, but the inability to cope healthily may lead to substance use.

Another reason men may turn to alcohol and drugs is they do not feel comfortable discussing their trauma or mental health concerns. Stigmas may prevent many of us – both men and women – from discussing our mental health concerns. However, the stigmas seem to be more severe for men.

Men and Mental Health

Research indicates that one in five adults experiences mental illness in the United States. According to the statistics, six million men are “affected by depression in the United States” yearly. In addition, the suicide rate for men is four times higher than that of women. Men are also more likely to die from alcohol-related causes and are “two to three times more likely to misuse drugs than women.”

The research is evident that men struggle significantly with mental health and SUD. However, men are less likely to receive mental health treatment because they are less likely to seek it. However, the conversation is opening up to encourage more men to discuss mental health.

How Substance Use Affects Mental Health in Men

As mentioned, men are more likely to misuse drugs and die from alcohol-related incidents. Alcohol and drugs affect people differently, but knowing the potential risks is vital to prevent certain effects.

The Effects of Alcohol

Excessive alcohol consumption is physically dangerous but can also impact your mental health. According to the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA), alcohol can “cause signs and symptoms of depression, anxiety, psychosis, and antisocial behavior.” This can occur “during intoxication and during withdrawal.”

You may also be at an increased risk of developing alcohol-induced psychosis. While it is rare, individuals can experience symptoms of psychosis, such as hallucinations and paranoia, and may make it difficult to distinguish between co-occurring mental health conditions.

The Effects of Drug Use

By definition, SUD is a mental health disorder. It impacts your ability to control substance use and can lead to the development of other mental health conditions.

For example, men with SUD may already be struggling with a co-occurring disorder. However, excessive drug use can also lead to the development of anxiety disorders, depression, and drug-induced psychosis. Like alcohol-induced psychosis, drug use can lead to delusions, hallucinations, and other psychosis symptoms if untreated.

Treatment for Alcohol and Drugs

If you are a man struggling with mental health and SUD, you are not alone. Many men are struggling even if they have yet to step forward. Our healing approach to recovery from the use of alcohol and drugs treats the whole man and works to help you maintain sobriety long-term.

Some of the treatment you may expect during your time at Healing Pines Recovery includes:

• Medication-assisted treatment (MAT): combines behavioral therapy and medication to treat SUD and help sustain recovery
• Inpatient residential treatment: offers men around-the-clock care and support
• Individual therapy options: such as cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) and dialectical behavior therapy (DBT)
• Group therapy: helps you connect with peers who understand what you are going through
• Family therapy: treats you and your family members affected by addiction

These are just a few treatment areas you can expect from our Colorado treatment facility. Understanding how alcohol and drugs affect your mental health is the first step. The next step is seeking treatment.

Millions of men across the United States struggle with mental health conditions and substance use disorders (SUD). However, because of the social stigmas related to such disorders, most men do not seek the mental health treatment they need. This leads to more men misusing drugs, dying from alcohol-related incidents, and suicide. While the conversation is open to encourage more men to discuss mental health, it is a slow process. However, we can educate men on the impact of alcohol and drugs on their mental health. If untreated, excessive substance use can lead to chronic mental conditions and cause you to experience symptoms of psychosis. To prevent these extreme symptoms, call our men’s inpatient drug and alcohol rehab at (720) 575-2621 for addiction treatment today.