How does substance abuse affect your mental health?

Something that you’ll learn about in any of our mental health training courses – is the effect that substances such as alcohol, drugs and even caffeine can have on your mental well-being.

It’s one of those subjects that can be a little taboo during day-to-day life – do you bring it up? If you’ve got suspicions that somebody may be having a little trouble managing their use of a substance, or you think they’re hiding something – what do you do?

Do you ask someone if they’re struggling with alcohol? Ask if they’re okay. Start there.

If someone within your family, organisation or school community may be struggling with substance abuse themselves, or connected and affected either directly or indirectly – it’s important to be able to approach the subject with sensitivity.

Substance abuse is a really tough area when it comes to mental well-being because it can go in many different directions. The substance issue itself can lead to poor mental health, and vice versa. There are groups available to help with both – and support to help people with their problems, whatever they are, no matter how bad it may seem. Getting help is key.

“You can’t defeat the darkness by keeping it caged inside of you.”

 

– Seth Adam Smith

What can you do to make a difference?

Within all of our signposting packs – there are details of organisations that you can get in contact with, or go online for deeper information on those topics.

Having trained mental health first aiders can help to highlight that there are safe, supportive people in place. You can turn to them when things aren’t going so well. Learning the signs and symptoms can enable you to identify with more confidence when there might be a problem that needs raising, and how you can do that in a way that opens the lines of communication to be a supportive, trustworthy option.

Training and learning about the different conditions that may be surrounding a substance abuse problem, or even as a result of a substance issue – can help you feel that you have the confidence to reach out and support someone. You don’t have to fix the problem or provide all of the solutions, but you could be the bridge to them getting the professional help that they really need. It may even be the conversation needed for them to find help and know that they are not alone.

Loneliness can be a huge factor in mental health problems, and also in addiction or substance misuse. Learning about mental well-being or becoming a mental health first aider can give you the skills needed to be there in the darkest times.

To learn more, book your place on First Aid for Mental Health or Youth Mental Health here:

To download a free signposting pack to print out or save for yourself now, head over to the resources page here: