What is the link between mental illness and addiction? Is there some kind of genetic link between the both or at least originates from the same thing. In the brain there is a small area named the amygdala responsible for emotions such as anxiety, fear, anger and happiness.
Researcher's from Indiana University School of Medicine have determined that damage that has been inflicted onto the amygdala disrupts the normal development an in time the changes cause the amygdala to be more susceptible to addiction. This is quite a theory suggesting that the drug dependency is initiated in the amygdala from environmental and genetic changes instead of the drug itself causing the chemical dependence.
Those who suffer from multiple mental illnesses are more susceptible to addiction. It's estimated that 4-8 of every 10 people who suffer from mental diseases also battle addiction and 2-5 of every 10 people who are depressed or anxious also suffer from addiction. Mood Disorders Canada reports that 30% of Canadians who have a mental illness also have a substance abuse. Those with a substance abuse problem 37% of alcoholics have a mental illness and 53% of drug addicts have a mental illness diagnosis.
I see this link regularly in my interactions with others who suffer from addiction and I am always surprised at how many people share in my struggle with mental illnesses aswell. Which came first, the mental illness or the addiction? I don't think this is measurable but what can be said is mental illness can be brought on by drug abuse and mental illness can bring on drug abuse as a form of self-medication. For me the mental illness came on first and the substance dependence occurred as a result of being mis-diagnosed and self-medicating. With all these odds it's no wonder I struggle with both.
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