When it comes to treating mental health disorders, therapy and medication can both be effective approaches. There is general agreement, in fact, that the best strategy is to employ both.
We mention this at the top of this blog entry because this post is about drugs and the dangers they can pose to a person’s mental health. We want to be sure no one misunderstands us. This post deals with illicit drugs—not medications that are prescribed and used properly. (We should note that when prescription drugs are not used properly, they can lead to all kinds of problems.)
With that said, let’s turn our attention to drugs that might seem to offer relief from mental health issues but instead offer nothing but problems.
Looking for Euphoria in All the Wrong Places
When you are struggling with a mental health disorder, it can be very tempting to look just about anywhere for ways to feel better. And various stimulants can provide their users with feelings of euphoria—which can seem awfully attractive.
For example, meth releases a run of neurotransmitters like serotonin and dopamine to your brain, and that can lead to intensely pleasurable feelings of energy and alertness that can last for hours. Cocaine is another illicit drug that can provide a desirable high that allows a user to leave, for example, symptoms of depression behind for a bit.
But these drugs—and others like them—lead to devastating consequences for their users. They can upend both your physical and your mental health in extremely serious ways. And they can be exceptionally difficult to give up because of the powerful withdrawal symptoms that arise when you try to stop taking them on your own.
Long and short: Some short-term euphoria comes with a very high long-term price.
Read more about meth and cocaine in this previous blog post.
Do Not Relax with the Help of Barbiturates
If you have a mental health disorder like generalized anxiety disorder or another condition that makes you feel jumpy and panicky far too much of the time, you could find yourself looking for ways to calm down quickly—and that could lead you to a class of drugs known as barbiturates.
These drugs have all sorts of fun-sounding street names—blue heavens, yellow jackets, goof balls, pink ladies, rainbows, and more—but the impacts of these drugs are often not fun at all. While it is true that barbiturates can lead to a sensation of relaxation, it is also true that even a slight overdose can lead to death.
Barbiturates are also addictive, and users who attempt to quit often face extremely challenging withdrawal symptoms.
Long and short: The risks associated with barbiturates are anything but relaxing.
You Should Avoid All So-Called ‘Club Drugs’
The term “club drug” is used to describe the kinds of illicit drugs folks might take before or during a night out in order to enhance their experience. Some of the drugs we have mentioned above fall into this loose category, but there are plenty of others as well.
These drugs might be especially tempting to someone dealing with social anxiety disorder because many of these drugs lower your inhibitions and make it seem easier to interact with other people. That can seem helpful when you are struggling with anxiety, loneliness, boredom, and more, but club drugs are—like all of the drugs we have covered in this entry—extremely dangerous.
And withdrawal from club drugs can lead to plenty of mental health disorder symptoms—the very symptoms you might have been hoping to shut down by turning to these drugs.
We should also note that the drug known by the street name “roofies”—or the “date rape drug”—is also among the substances counted among club drugs. It is, of course, essential that you always protect yourself from anyone who might try to give you roofies without your knowledge.
Long and short: You do not want to be part of any club built around club drugs.
Read more about club drugs in this previous blog entry.
We Are a Much Better Option for Addressing Your Mental Health Issues
Peak View Behavioral Health helps people who are struggling with a range of mental health disorders, including depression, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, and suicidal thoughts. We are also equipped to help you overcome a substance use disorder. Good mental health and sobriety go hand in hand, and we are able to help whether you are battling a mental health disorder, a substance use disorder, or both.
Located in Colorado Springs, Colorado, Peak View Behavioral Health helps individuals renew balance and embrace hope in their lives. If you are struggling and are ready to make a lasting change for the better, we are ready to get to work.
