Why Substance Misuse and Mental Illness Are So Closely Linked
1. Substances often become a coping tool
When someone feels overwhelmed by anxiety, depression, trauma, stress, or low self-esteem, reaching for something that offers quick relief can feel incredibly tempting. Alcohol, drugs, or misused prescription medication can temporarily numb emotions — but the relief is short-lived.
Before long, the person finds they’re using more often, just to feel “normal”.
This is how many people slip into addictive behaviours without ever intending to.
2. Substances can trigger or worsen mental illness
It’s not always that mental illness comes first. Sometimes the substance use itself leads to symptoms like paranoia, panic attacks, mood swings, or feelings of hopelessness.
For example:
Regular cannabis misuse can worsen anxiety in some people.
Cocaine or stimulants can seriously disrupt sleep and mood.
Alcohol, being a depressant, often deepens existing low mood.
This is why the term dual diagnosis — meaning both addiction and mental illness happening at the same time — is becoming more widely recognised in mental health services.
3. Trauma sits quietly underneath — a lot
A huge number of people who struggle with substance misuse have a history of trauma: childhood emotional neglect, bullying, sudden loss, relationship abuse, or long-term stress.
Substances can feel like a form of self-protection or escape.
Therapy helps people gently explore this without judgement, shame, or pressure.
How Mental Illness Can Increase the Risk of Substance Misuse
Mental health symptoms can make life feel heavy and unpredictable. When someone is:
- struggling to get out of bed,
- feeling empty or disconnected,
- battling intrusive thoughts,
- overwhelmed by school, work, or relationships…
…the quick escape of a drink or drug can become a routine coping mechanism.
This is especially common in teen mental health, where emotions can already feel intense and difficult to manage.
How Therapy Helps (and Why It’s Not About Blame)
In integrative therapy, we look at the whole picture — thoughts, emotions, behaviours, the body, the past, and the environment.
Here’s what therapy aims to do:
✔ Build safer coping strategies
We replace harmful habits with grounded tools for emotional regulation and stress management.
✔ Understand triggers and patterns
What feelings or situations push someone to use? And what needs are underneath?
✔ Work through trauma gently
Trauma-informed therapy supports the nervous system to heal without re-traumatising.
✔ Strengthen resilience and identity
People often rediscover a sense of self-worth they haven’t felt in years.
✔ Support families and loved ones
Addiction affects everyone around the person — so family understanding is often part of the healing process.
Signs Someone Might Be Struggling With Both
Look out for:
- sudden mood swings
- withdrawing from loved ones
- changes in sleep or appetite
- using substances to “unwind” or cope
- increased anxiety or depression
- difficulties at school or work
- secrecy around behaviour
- physical symptoms (shaking, headaches, nausea)
Early recognition makes recovery far easier.
Recovery Is Possible — And Never a Straight Line
One of the biggest myths is that people must “hit rock bottom” before change happens. Not true.
People start recovery at many different moments — sometimes after a scare, sometimes after a conversation, sometimes after someone simply asks, “Are you okay?”
Whether the issue is alcohol misuse, drug addiction, self-medication, or the emotional pain lying underneath, support is available.
You don't have to navigate it alone.
If You or a Loved One Is Struggling
Reaching out for mental health support is a sign of strength, not failure. Even one conversation can help make sense of things that feel tangled and overwhelming.
If you’re noticing patterns of substance use alongside depression, anxiety, stress, or trauma — therapy can help you understand the “why” and begin the path toward healing.
You’re allowed to take that step. And it’s never too late
Back To List