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Substance Use and Mental Health
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![Substance Use and Mental Health]() |
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 | May 2019
Substance Use Snapshot:
The Connection Between Substance Use and Mental Health
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WHAT DO YOU THINK OF THE SNAPSHOTS?As this is the first year we have offered the Snapshots, we hope that you have found them a useful tool to increase your knowledge and offer a healthy perspective on substance use and mental health. As staff member, parent or student we would love to hear your thoughts opinions and suggestions as we plan for next year. Please take a moment to complete a very brief survey that will help us meet your needs to the best of our
ability. Access the survey here
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The links between mental health and substance abuse issues are complex. They might develop independently as a result of common risk factors or one might lead to the other as a result of self-medication or prolonged distress.
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| During the adolescent years, youth are faced with constant and dramatic change, both as individuals (e.g., physical, emotional) and in their relationships with others (e.g., family, peers, teachers). For some youth, the stress that accompanies these changes exceeds their ability to cope and contributes to mental health problems, substance abuse issues, or both.
Alone or combined, mental health struggles and substance misuse can lead to damaged relationships, poor academic performance, problems with the law and reduced overall health.
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| Mental health struggles are associated with later substance abuse. This link proposes that youth turn to drugs and alcohol to cope with mental health symptoms.
Substance abuse can cause changes in a person’s life that result in serious and prolonged distress, and this distress can contribute to the onset of mental health struggles.
For example, the Adverse Childhood Experiences study reported that early childhood experiences of abuse, neglect, and exposure to domestic violence are associated with substance abuse during the teen years.
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Likewise, these early experiences are associated with adult mental health problems. Further, these early experiences put youth at an even greater risk for concurrent disorders.
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DEFINITION OF CONCURRENT DISORDER: conditions in which a person experiences both mental illness and a substance abuse disorder.
Mental health struggles and substance misuse occur on a continuum, and a concurrent disorder emerges when they intersect at any point, resulting in a nearly endless list of possible combinations.
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For example, a young person might use alcohol to cope with feelings of anxiety or use drugs to cope with symptoms of ADHD. Conversely, cannabis use may lead to psychotic symptoms.
The more severe the underlying mental health or substance abuse concern, the more likely it will escalate to a concurrent disorder.
The relationship between mental health problems and substance abuse vary depending on the type and severity of the mental illness, the substance used and the severity of the substance abuse problems. | The most common mental illnesses seen in combination with substance abuse among youth are CD (Conduct Disorder), ODD (Oppositional Defiant Disorder), clinical depression and PTSD (Post Traumatic Stress Disorder).
25–50% of young people who abused drugs have been diagnosed with CD or ODD
20–30% have been diagnosed with clinical depression
16% with PTSD
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IMPLICATIONS OF CONCURRENT DISORDER
Canadians ages 15 and older with both a mental illness and substance abuse disorder require more in-patient mental health services including longer stays in hospital and more hospital re-admissions than those with a mental health or substance related disorder alone.
The results from BC's Adolescent Health Survey, a self-report survey of students in Grades 7 to 12, showed that the presence of both a mental health problem and substance abuse increased the chances of self-harm more than if only one disorder existed.
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RISK FACTORS are characteristics that raise the chance that mental health or substance use problems will emerge.
Examples of risk factors include struggles in the community, within the family or with peers, and individual vulnerabilities (e.g., genetics).
PROTECTIVE FACTORS are characteristics that reduce the chance that either type of problem will occur.
Examples of protective factors include strong family relationships, school connectedness, parental monitoring and a sense of competence (i.e., feeling able to excel at something).
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A growing body of research indicates that common protective factors can buffer the risks for both mental health struggles and substance abuse.
According to research in British Columbia, the presence of protective factors is linked to fewer mental health and substance use concerns for individuals who may have both of these problems. | Early detection and interventions with substance abuse and mental health problems can help prevent the progression and severity of these issues.
Adolescence is a key time for early identification as the majority of Canadians with mental illness first experienced symptoms in childhood or adolescence.
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| 5 MYTHS ABOUT YOUTH MENTAL HEALTH AND ADDICTION
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MYTH 1: BAD PARENTING CAUSES MENTAL ILLNESS AND ADDICTION IN YOUTH
The truth: It’s not that easy to pinpoint what causes youth to develop a mental illness or an addiction. For example, there is a strong link between childhood abuse and youth who develop Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD).
Some youth may use drugs and alcohol to cope with abuse they witness at home, leading them to develop an addiction or substance abuse problem. But that is not true for everyone. Genetics, biology, environment and life experiences can influence whether a young person develops a mental illness or addiction. For many youth, their parents and/or guardians can also play a large role in their recovery by offering love and support.
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MYTH 2: CHILDREN AND YOUTH CAN’T HAVE MENTAL ILLNESSES, ONLY ADULTS CAN
The truth: Half of all mental illnesses begin before a child reaches age 14, a statistic which spikes to 75 percent before age 24. The reality is, youth aged 15 to 24 are more likely to experience mental health or addiction issues than any other age group. Children and youth may display symptoms differently, but young people can develop mental illnesses the same way adults can as children and youth are exposed to the same biological, genetic, social and environmental factors as adults.
Early intervention is important for children and youth as mental illness may greatly interfere with their developmental needs, resulting in serious long-term effects. Sadly, only 1 in 5 youth will receive the necessary treatment for their mental illness due to limited health
services, the perpetuation of this myth, and belief that children will “grow out of it” or that it’s “just a phase”.
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MYTH 3: IT IS IMPOSSIBLE TO PREVENT MENTAL ILLNESS
The truth: The World Health Organization (WHO) has identified both risk and protective factors related to mental illness. Although mental illness can affect anyone regardless of background, some youth are more likely to experience higher instances of mental illness than others due to various risk factors such as childhood poverty.
Likewise, early intervention and easier access to affordable mental health treatments can ease symptoms of youth who are already experiencing a mental health disorder. Simply by helping children and youth develop a positive self-identity, self-esteem, and self-regulation, adults can support and prevent potential mental health problems. When youth know they have someone on their side, crises can be less damaging, or simply avoided.
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MYTH 4: DRUG ADDICTION IS A CHOICE
The truth: No one ever chooses to become addicted to drugs or alcohol. Youth addicted to drugs and/or alcohol chose to try the substance for various reasons, but prolonged use can alter brain chemistry and cause changes in the body. When this occurs, substance use is not a choice; it becomes a physical and psychological need regardless of the negative impact it has on someone’s daily life. In other circumstances, a young person may have a predisposition to addiction because of a family history.
It is important to note, not every youth who uses substances will develop an addiction. Some youth may use substances socially or recreationally and others may begin to experience substance abuse. The difference between the two is the severity of one’s condition. When an individual is addicted to a
substance and suffers from withdrawals, it indicates the mind and body has developed a need for the substance beyond the control of the individual. Many youth are afraid to stop using because substance withdrawal can be extreme.
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MYTH 5: YOUTH WITH MENTAL ILLNESS AND/OR ADDICTIONS ARE WEAK, AND ARE BAD PEOPLE
The truth: We cannot rely on statistics or research studies to bust this myth. Perceiving another person as weak, flawed, or bad will always be in the eye of the beholder. But each youth possesses different abilities, personalities, experiences, wants and needs – all of which needs to be respected and understood, not negatively lumped together. Youth with mental health and addiction issues face extra challenges and must work towards self-improvement while facing those challenges.
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| GENERAL HARM REDUCTION STRATEGIES
1. Avoid, Delay, Reduce Use
2. Don‘t Use Alone
3. Carry Naloxone, if around
Opioids:
Toward the Heart
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The Greater Victoria School District is committed to providing safe and healthy learning environments for all students. As part of our approach, we have been focusing on mental health and substance use topics to help us promote well-being in our schools.
Substance use is a complex topic that often highlights varied philosophies, myths, and a great deal of fear.
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The research shows us that early interventions, particularly around critical thinking and decision making, has an impact on delaying use in youth. As well, open dialogue with adults, intentionality around attachment, and a focus on the factors that contribute to substance use, as opposed to the actual substances, also prevent, delay and reduce substance use in our students.
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Our goal is to create a more cohesive, systematized substance use plan focusing on social emotional learning, that includes our youth and schools, community partners, and families. We strive for a shared vision, common language and consistent messaging over time, in order to support positive youth culture and a healthy perspective on substance use and mental health.
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The legal age in B.C for consumption of alcohol and cannabis is 19 years old.
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