No Health Without Mental Health and other recent developments

Mental health and substance misuse

No Health Without Mental Health and other recent developments

Definitions
Substance misuse
Substance misuse is the use of alcohol, illegal drugs, substance misuse can become an
unhealthy way to respond to stress and anxiety, particularly when managing a chronic illness
like cystic fibrosis.

What Is Substance Misuse?

Substance misuse is the use of alcohol, illegal drugs, People can misuse substances one
time, occasionally, or regularly, and they can go on to develop substance use disorder.
Substance use disorder occurs when the use of alcohol or drugs impairs your health or how
you function in your daily life. Examples of this kind of impairment include problems with
physical or emotional health, disability, and failure to meet major responsibilities. Substance
use disorders can be mild, moderate, or severe.
We are learning that misusing substances regularly can change the way the brain functions.
As a result, a substance use disorder is now increasingly being understood as a long-term
brain disease, and as a medical issue instead of a moral one.
Substances can be anything you put into your body that can change how your brain
functions. These changes can affect your:
Perception Mood Thinking Behavior
Commonly misused substances include:
Alcohol, including beer, wine, and distilled spirits
Nicotine products, including cigarettes, cigars, e-cigarettes, and smokeless tobacco

Dr Waheedullah Psychiatry Department

No Health Without Mental Health and other recent developments

Cannabinoids
Opioids, such as heroin, codeine, oxycodone, morphine, hydrocodone/paracetamol , fentanyl,
and hydromorphone hydrochloride
Benzodiazepines, including diazepam, lorazepam, alprazolam, and clonazepam
Other substances, including cocaine, amphetamines, methamphetamine, and other
stimulants

What Leads to Substance Misuse?

People with cystic fibrosis can begin misusing substances for many of the same reasons
people without CF do. Some people with CF misuse substances as a response to:
Emotions such as depression, anxiety, anger, frustration, hopelessness, isolation, or the
guilt.

When Misuse a Problem?

For people with cystic fibrosis, even casual misuse of substances can have serious health
consequences, especially if it interferes with daily life.
Many people use substances socially and do not develop a problem with substances. But some time
substances cope with stress, depression, or anxiety.
When not taking care of yourself, such as not showering, wearing dirty clothes, or not sustaining your
daily treatments
Experiencing withdrawal, which is the physical or emotional symptoms that occur when the
substance begins to wear off, including anxiety, shakiness, trembling, sweating, nausea, vomiting,
tiredness, irritability, loss of appetite, and headaches

Recovery in mental health

Mental Health Foundation identifies the following as factors that can support recovery in mental
health:
 Good relationships;
 Financial security;
 Satisfying work;
 Personal growth;
 The right living environment;
 Developing one’s own cultural or spiritual perspectives;
 Developing resilience to possible adversity or stress in the future.

The above list illustrates the reality that while there may be differences in the way that
recovery is understood across both sectors, there is significant commonality in the sense
that recovery is about, among other things, a substantive improvement in quality of life.

Prevention
Preventing substance misuse before it becomes a problem can start with letting members of
your care team know if you're finding it harder to manage daily life, including doing
your treatments, or if you're experiencing feelings of depression or anxiety.

Dr Waheedullah Psychiatry Department

No Health Without Mental Health and other recent developments

Prevention is especially important in the case of children and adolescents. Children who try
alcohol before age 14 are more likely to develop substance misuse issues at some point in their
lives compared to those who do not drink alcohol until age 21.
People are at higher risk for substance misuse during transitions, including:
Moving
Getting a divorce
Losing a job
Changing schools

Certain factors increase a child or adolescent's risk for substance misuse, including:
Poor behavior at school
Academic failure
A parent who misused or misuses substances
Peers who misuse substances

Factors that decrease a child or adolescent's risk for substance misuse include:
Strong bonds between parent and child
Parents who are involved in their child's life
Structure and discipline

The end

Dr Waheedullah Psychiatry Department