Half of alcoholics and drug addicts suffer from mental health problems
The charity Turning Point have released a report suggesting that 50% of all alcoholics and drug addicts suffer from mental illness, in the UK at least.
Unfortunately many people still associate the term ‘mental illness’ with considerable stigma - as it may conjure up images of psychosis. However the illnesses referred to here are primarily depression and anxiety.
The main point to consider from this is that alcoholics or drug addicts are struggling with addiction as a way to deal with their mental health. Alcohol or drug use often arises as a means of dealing with emotional problems, then from there they develop into additional problems in their own right.
Many alcoholics wonder why they have such a difficult time with alcohol, when others around them seem to cope with it more easily. The answer is often that they have other mental health problems which are not being dealt with.
The only way to beat alcoholism or addiction then is usually to find other ways to deal with depression or anxiety. Once those are having less of an impact on your emotional life, then the purely ‘habit’ element can be addressed.
March 16th, 2007 at 1:39 pm
Thank you for this resource. I like very much the non judgemental approach to helping us
November 24th, 2007 at 8:21 pm
after many years of drug addiction i am now training to be a counsellor and in my first year of a diploma. i never thought that i would be able to achieve this and withought counselling i dont think i would have had the courage or even energy to try. i am now preparing a workshop for counsellors to try to give them an insight to what the needs of addicts are when seeking counselling. any one who thinks they cant get out of it or feels stuck dont give up. thanks to all who belived in me.
November 13th, 2008 at 10:30 am
i am trying to find out and understand alcoholism a lot better, i have just recently separated from my husband who is a alcoholic. however, he is very angry all t he time, especially when kids are home.. bashes himself in the head a lot when he is in a rage with me… i am trying to work out if he either has a mental health issue or mental illness or even both!… your reply would be much appreciated
by the way.. he wont get HELP. i am leaving that to him and that now we are a part it is down to him to do it.