Comorbidity and Substance Abuse

Therefore the young population that will be depended on by the society as the future leaders and stewards are doomed by quench for substance use. Comorbidity and diagnosis can significantly contribute to an individual engaging in substance abuse since it may lead to particular behavioral disorders that are found in association with drugs like alcohol. Such behavioral disorders include depressive disorders and anxiety disorders may lead to substance abuse when a specific behavioral disorder known as attention deficit hyperactivity disorder appears to be simultaneously present with one or two other behavioral disorders. Hence to curb the menace of substance abuse in the society today, proper diagnosis and treatment measures should be put in force as to eliminate comorbidity of some severe behavioral disorders that are psychiatrically strongly associated to commonly abused drugs.

Comorbidity Comorbidity is a common and well-known term to doctors as they use to describe the simultaneous presence of two or more disorders or rather diseases with a particular individual. Besides the two fundamental ways, both substance abuse and mental illness can emerge as one from a common group of underlying circumstances. These ways clearly explain the strong connection between substance use disorders and mental illness because it is evidenced that many individuals who develop substance use disorders are also diagnosed with mental disorders. As per The National Institute on Drug Abuse, there various underlying factors that have been listed which has potential leading to both substance abuse and mental health issues. Some of these reasons include: Common risk factors such as genetic and epigenetic vulnerabilities, brain involvement and environmental factors can contribute to both mental and substance use disorders.

A comorbidity research estimates that 40 to 60 percent of a person’s exposure to substance use disorders is associated with genetics. Substance causes alterations in some of the brain regions that are disrupted in other psychiatric disorders which includes schizophrenia, anxiety, and mood disorders. Frequent drug use may lead to alteration of somebody expression hence addiction, this disrupts the normal brain function and individual's hierarchy of needs and desires. For instance, substance use before the first symptoms of brain illness may give rise to alterations in the mental structure and function which creates the basis to an underlying predisposition to develop the particular psychiatric illness. For instance, addiction to alcohol or tobacco use by an individual leads to changes in brain function as the hierarchy of needs and desires of that individual is altered in a manner that the person develops needs and desires associated with alcohol or tobacco.

The resultant outcome is a development of substance use disorders and mental illness. In addition, several neurotransmitters systems have been damaged or disrupted in both instances of substance use disorders and other psychiatric disorders. Therefore brain region involved in substance use is often affected and in turn exacerbate symptoms of certain mental illness depending on the region disrupted as well as increased likelihood of developing substance use disorders. Approaches to diagnosis Diagnosis is the crucial step before carrying out any prevention or treatment intervention, as it establishes a clear examination of the signs and symptoms of the disorder an individual underwent hence creating a basis to develop an effective treatment. Therefore diagnosing substance abuse individuals is significant in finding what intervention measure to carry out to reduce certain symptoms of a psychiatric disorder as well as substance use disorders.

The following are the approaches to diagnosis of individuals with substance use disorders and other mental illnesses: Therapeutic approach. T his mental illnesses in most cases starts at adolescence, this people who start at this early age will be exposed to risks of greater problems when they are adults. This can be prevented by implementing of policies and practices which reduces the risks of being exposed to such factors and increase the ability to heal from mental illness which reduces substance abuse disorders and other mental health problems and thus reduces the costs which could have been used for treatment. Research shows that youths can be protected from this illnesses by emphasizing protective factors as education, community environment, supportive family hence promote the youth well-being and by teaching them to evade negative behaviors which exposes them to negative consequences aids them to live a life free from drugs such as alcohol which may lead to mental illness.

Patients with comorbid substances use and mental illnesses can be treated by giving motivational incentives. this can be done by giving incentives and promises to patients who go ahead and practices healthy behaviors and dropping unhealthy behaviors like substance abusers, for example, alcohol, smoking, and other drug abuse. Substance use disorders and mental illness are greatly reported among adolescents and youthful population because of abuse of substances such as alcohol, tobacco among other narcotics. When these drugs are often used whether they were prescribed as medication or intentionally taken to release pain or emotions they may affect the normal functions of the brain by disrupting the brain circuits leading to the individual developing a certain mental illness and substance use disorder.

Hence there is the need for the psychiatrist to create more awareness on the side effects of certain drugs commonly abused as well as how to regulate addiction of substance to reduce certain symptoms associated with mental disorders. Therefore a clear understanding of comorbidity, substance abuse, and diagnosis is of significant importance in putting across prevention interventions and treatment measures on substance use disorders and other psychiatric disorders upon implementation by relevant bodies and organizations. References Lehman, A. , & Hunt, G. E. Prevalence of comorbid substance use, anxiety and mood disorders in epidemiological surveys, 1990–2014: a systematic review and meta-analysis.  Drug & Alcohol Dependence, 154, 1-13. Roberts, N. , Back, S. E. , & Brady, K. T. Implementation of integrated therapies for comorbid post‐traumatic stress disorder and substance use disorders in community substance abuse treatment programs.