Skip to content
Research Article Open access CC BY 4.0

Negative Implications of Drug and Substance use on Mental Health

Okoye, Nelyn Akunna, Udeji, Rosemary Nneka, Ordu, Charles Nkesi, Aneke, Emeka John, Offor, Chinazor Cordelia, Asanya, Chinyere Ada

International Neuropsychiatric Disease Journal · pp. 18–25 · Published 11 May 2024

10.9734/indj/2024/v21i4439

Abstract

Mental health refers to a person's emotional, psychological, and social well-being, which encompasses aspects such as thoughts, feelings, behaviors, and the ability to cope with life's challenges. Several factors including drug abuse have been recognized to cause mental health disorders; hence, the urgent need to globally address these factors. Drug abuse emerges as a complex public health issue, involving the misuse of legal and illegal drugs, with consequences extending beyond individual health. The relationship between mental health and drug abuse intensifies challenges, as drug misuse contributes to the development or worsening of mental health disorders. This review examined biological, psychological, and social determinants, and advocate for a standardized approach to address the complex issue of drug abuse. Various electronic databases, such as PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, Medline, and others, were used to access resources, in which thirty-three (33) literatures were reviewed. Results of the reviewed literatures revealed that the impact of drug abuse on mental health involves neurobiological alterations affecting neurotransmitter levels and structural changes in the brain. This does not only affect individuals, but also results in societal burdens, such as increased healthcare costs and criminal justice involvement, compounded by the stigma surrounding mental health and substance abuse. The classification of drugs into legal and illegal categories highlights the diversity of substances and emphasizes the need to understand their effects on mental well-being. Categories include legal drugs, prescription medications, socially accepted substances, and illegal drugs with varying dependency potentials. Addressing mental health disorders induced by drug abuse requires a comprehensive approach, involving strategies like Integrated Dual Diagnosis Treatment (IDDT), Medication-Assisted Treatment (MAT), Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Motivational Interviewing (MI), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), Peer Support, 12-Step Programs, and Recovery-Oriented Systems of Care (ROSC). These methods guarantee a care continuum that centers on the individual and emphasizes recovery, acknowledging the relationship between mental health and drug abuse disorders. Nevertheless, the review highlights a research gap in that, in-depth research is needed to evaluate the effectiveness of the aforementioned interventions. Additionally, exploring innovative strategies to address challenges such as stigma, limited treatment accessibility, and the cyclical nature of addiction would enhance intervention effectiveness.

Mental health drug abuse well-being global public health depression anxiety bipolar disorder

References (19)

  1. 1 Mental Health and the Covid-19 Pandemic [DOI]
  2. 2 Neurobiology of addiction: a neurocircuitry analysis [DOI]
  3. 3 COVID-19 and mental health: A review of the existing literature [DOI]
  4. 4 Estimating the true global burden of mental illness [DOI]
  5. 5 Neurobiologic Advances from the Brain Disease Model of Addiction [DOI]
  6. 6 Opioid Abuse in Chronic Pain — Misconceptions and Mitigation Strategies [DOI]
  7. 7 Mechanisms of neurotransmitter release by amphetamines: A review [DOI]
  8. 8 Cocaine Cues and Dopamine in Dorsal Striatum: Mechanism of Craving in Cocaine Addiction [DOI]
  9. 9 Review of Integrated Mental Health and Substance Abuse Treatment for Patients With Dual Disorders [DOI]
  10. 10 Allosteric Modulation of GABAA Receptors via Multiple Drug-Binding Sites [DOI]
  11. 11 Personalizing the Treatment of Substance Use Disorders [DOI]
  12. 12 Understanding the interplay of individual and social–developmental factors in the progression of substance use and mental health from childhood to adulthood [DOI]
  13. 13 Factors Associated with Medication Adherence Among Psychiatric Outpatients at Substance Abuse Risk [DOI]
  14. 14 Reflections on: “A general role for adaptations in G-Proteins and the cyclic AMP system in mediating the chronic actions of morphine and cocaine on neuronal function” [DOI]
  15. 15 Associations between substance use, post-traumatic stress disorder and the perpetration of violence: A longitudinal investigation [DOI]
  16. 16 On the Stigma of Mental Illness: Practical Strategies for Research and Social Change [DOI]
  17. 17 Misuse of medication in adult substance misuse services: a systematic review protocol [DOI]
  18. 18 Substance Abuse during Adulthood Subsequent to the Experience of Physical Abuse and Psychological Distress during Childhood [DOI]
  19. 19 Disability-adjusted Life Years (DALYs) for Mental and Substance Use Disorders in the Korean Burden of Disease Study 2012 [DOI]

Cited by 10

Evaluating the Knowledge, Attitudes and Practices of Early Career Pharmacists Concerning Opioid Use Disorder (OUD) and Co-morbid Mental Health Conditions: Predicting Patients Health Outcomes in Nigeria

Samuel Chukwuemeka Okenwa, Ifunanya Genevieve Anunwa, Jane Chidera Nwachukwu, Chinonso Elijah Abonyi, Collins Okwudili Nnam, Glory Chigozirim Eneje, Joy Ulonwadi Ajuonu, Lazarus Chukwuemeka Ejike, Favour Mmesoma Nwankwo, Chika Augusta Ekweozor · Asian Journal of Research in Medical and Pharmaceutical Sciences · 2024

Replanteamiento de la política penal y de salud pública frente al consumo y tráfico de drogas en Ecuador (2015–2025): análisis jurídico, social y comparado

Luis Mauricio Maldonado Ruiz, Dolores Gabriela Yaguachi Eras · ASCE · 2025

ВИВЧЕННЯ ЗЛОВЖИВАННЯ ПСИХОАКТИВНИМИ РЕЧОВИНАМИ СЕРЕД СТУДЕНТІВ МЕДИЧНИХ ВИЩИХ НАВЧАЛЬНИХ ЗАКЛАДІВ

С. Ю. Ціпоренко, Л. С. Бабінець · Здобутки клінічної і експериментальної медицини · 2025

A systematic review of literature on substance use in nightlife settings utilizing in situ data collection

Renata Glavak-Tkalić, Mike Vuolo, Anja Wertag · Drug and Alcohol Dependence Reports · 2025

Showing 4 of 10 known citations — external sources report more than can currently be individually listed.

Related research

Article metrics

Real usage data collected on this platform.

51

Page views

0

PDF downloads

9

Outbound clicks

10

Citations

Views over time

Views by country

Approximate, from request IP at view time — not citizenship or institution. Countries with fewer than 5 views are grouped as "Other".

Traffic sources

Referring site, by host.

Views and downloads exclude known bots/crawlers. Citations combines this platform's own DOI-resolved index with each external source's own reported total — see Cited by above for individually listed citing works. Last refreshed 0 seconds ago.