Reaching for drugs or alcohol when you’re feeling tired, depressed or anxious is a common reaction for some individuals. It provides a few moments of relief, but it doesn’t address the root of the problem, and substance use can make the situation worse. This temporary fix also prevents you from recognizing the real emotional pain you may be going through. Using drugs or alcohol to conceal an underlying psychological problem is known as mental health masking. This article explains the relationship between substance abuse and mental health, why people self-medicate, which conditions are most often masked and why a dual diagnosis is needed for effective treatment.
The Link Between Substance Use and Mental Health
Research shows that approximately half of individuals with mental illness develop a substance use disorder during their lifetime, while those struggling with substance abuse are at a higher risk of developing a mental illness. This overlap of conditions is referred to as co-occurring disorders or dual diagnosis and may be caused by genetic predisposition, trauma or chronic stress.
Individuals may start self-medicating with drugs or alcohol as a form of mental health masking. However, substance use can make mental health issues worse and even cause new symptoms to occur. For example, chronic alcohol use can cause depression, while the use of stimulants can mimic a severe anxiety disorder. As a result, the individual gets caught in a destructive cycle in which they use substances to reduce symptoms of depression or anxiety, only to have their symptoms worsen.
Understanding Self-Medication and Mental Health Masking: A Coping Mechanism for Emotional Pain
Self-medication is the act of using drugs or alcohol to manage the symptoms of mental illness, stress or anxiety without the advice of a doctor. Initially, you may feel you have greater control over your emotions and well-being, but it’s only a short-term fix.
Self-medicating prevents you from developing healthy coping skills. As tolerance to the substance used builds, more is required to gain the same effect. This not only makes you more dependent on alcohol or drugs but also makes it much harder to identify the original underlying issue.
Common Mental Health Conditions Hidden by Substance Use
Substance use symptoms often mask mental health conditions, making it difficult to diagnose the issue. Some of the most common masked conditions are:
- Depression. Alcohol changes the chemical makeup of the brain, increasing rates of depression and panic. The symptoms of alcohol use and depression are almost identical, including low mood, fatigue and social withdrawal. Masking depression occurs when an individual drinks to lift their spirits or numb their emotional pain.
- Anxiety. Individuals with mental illness who turn to benzodiazepines are masking anxiety symptoms. Benzos have a calming effect, which slows down nerve signals. Medications such as Valium and Xantax, two brand-name benzos, are often prescribed to treat anxiety, so when an individual takes these medications, their symptoms of panic and anxiety may seem to disappear.
- Post-traumatic stress disorder. Approximately 40% of individuals with PTSD also develop a substance use disorder. Symptoms of PTSD include flashbacks, nightmares, emotional numbness and hyperarousal. Individuals with PTSD may turn to alcohol or opioids to reduce these symptoms.
- Bipolar disorder. This mental health condition is marked by intense mood swings, which can affect daily life for most individuals struggling with the disorder. Substance use provides temporary relief from bipolar disorder symptoms, but in the long run, it can make it harder to manage the condition.
- Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. This developmental disorder can cause a host of issues, including the inability to pay attention, hyperactivity and impulsiveness. Some individuals with ADHD use stimulants, such as amphetamines, to help them concentrate. Others use substances such as marijuana to slow down their racing thoughts.
Why Dual Diagnosis Is Critical for Effective Treatment
When a mental health condition and a substance abuse disorder occur together, treating only one issue prevents complete healing. This is why identifying co-occurring conditions is one of the most important steps toward recovery.
While in treatment, it’s hard to manage anxiety if you’re still using drugs and alcohol to self-medicate. Additionally, substance abuse can interfere with psychiatric medications prescribed during treatment. Both issues interact with each other, so they must be addressed simultaneously to achieve success during treatment.
How Treatment Uncovers and Addresses Underlying Issues
Effective treatment for co-occurring disorders involves removing mental health masking to reveal the underlying condition. The process begins with medical detox in an inpatient treatment environment to remove toxins from the body. This is important because the effects of withdrawal can worsen the symptoms of a mental health condition. A trained medical team can help you safely manage all the symptoms.
Once you’re stable after detox, you’ll receive a complete psychological evaluation. Without the effects of drugs and alcohol, therapists can get a clear picture of your mental health and diagnose the underlying disorder.
Treatments such as cognitive behavioral therapy and dialectical behavior therapy may be used to help you identify and change the negative thought patterns that caused you to turn to drugs and alcohol. These therapies are best provided in a safe, supportive environment where you can face your emotions without being under the influence.
Moving Toward True Healing Through Integrated Care
The best way to treat co-occurring disorders is through integrated care. This approach to treatment addresses your substance use and mental health condition at the same time. Integrated care may include multiple approaches, such as:
- Individual therapy. Talk therapy is used to help an individual identify the personal triggers and stressors behind their substance use.
- Support groups. Support groups can help an individual feel they’re not alone by comparing success stories and ways to cope during therapy.
- Medication management. Appropriate medications are prescribed to help an individual deal with their mental health condition. It may take several tries to find the most effective medication.
- Family counseling. Family therapy is used to heal broken relationships and to teach family members how to identify signs of relapse.
- Holistic therapy. Journaling, exercise, mindfulness and nutrition are used to help support an individual during recovery.
Getting Help With Co-Occurring Disorders
If you or someone you love uses mental health masking to cope with symptoms of a co-occurring disorder, it’s important to seek help. Contact Restore Mental Health to speak with one of our counselors and get started on the path to recovery today.
