Mental Health

As described by the World Health Organization, “Mental health is a state of well-being in which the individual realizes his or her own abilities, can cope with the normal stresses of life, can work productively and fruitfully, and is able to contribute to his or her community”.

Mental health is more than the absence of a mental illness.  It’s important to understand that mental health and mental health problems are not opposing conditions. Someone with a diagnosed mental illness can experience good mental health, while someone without a diagnosed mental illness can experience difficulties at certain times of stress (e.g., job loss, housing changes, bereavement) (MHCC, 2009)

What is the difference between Mental Health and Mental Illness?

Mental illnesses are conditions in which people’s thinking, mood and behaviours negatively impact their day-to-day functioning. Mental health problems can include depression, anxiety, schizophrenia and many others, as well as addictions (Public Health Agency of Canada, 2015a).

Addiction

According to CAMH, ​“Addiction refers to the problematic use of a substance. The harms of substance use can range from mild (e.g., feeling hungover, being late for work) to severe (e.g., homelessness, disease). Treatment options for addiction include self-help, counselling, medications and withdrawal management”.

How are Mental Health and Addiction related?

Mental Health and Addiction go hand in hand majority of the time.  When a person suffers from anxiety or depression they will self-medicate.  A lot of the time anxiety or depression can start at a very young age. The imay not even know what they are feeling.  Introduce a substance of any kind be it legal or illegal; alcohol, drugs, marijuana, etc and there is temporary relief from the feeling.  What ends up happening is that temporary relief numbing sensation can turn into an addiction, sometimes quickly, sometimes slowly. 

What the individual thinks is taking away the feelings is actually enhancing it.  For example, drinking alcohol to get rid of anxiety or depression, creates more anxiety and depression.  The addict in the making will forever be chasing what they think is a solution.  In reality it only makes the problem worse.  Some people will manage for years thinking they have it under control, when really, they are destroying themselves on the inside.

Withdrawal symptoms can begin to happen as well as financial problems.  When one substance doesn’t work, an addict will try another one as they are forever trying to get that feeling of release they felt the first time.  It is a losing battle.  What may start out as the occasional marijuana smoke, can lead to opioid use, such as heroin.  Heroin has a numbing euphoric sensation and is relatively inexpensive on the streets.

How to treat mental health and addiction

Both conditions need to be treated.  First, a safe detox process needs to happen.  Second, the treatment of the substance misuse needs to be diagnosed.  Once the individual has been detoxed and medically treated, then different options can be presented for mental illness.  This can include counselling, group therapy, CBT (cognitive behaviour therapy) all while treating the ongoing addiction issue.  Ongoing treatment of addiction can also include the above mentioned resources, as well as 12 step programs or other recovery programs.