Mental Health: Addiction & Mental Health!

Connect & Grow Magazine: Edition 13 September - October 2024

Addiction can be defined as a chronic and relapsing disorder characterised by compulsive drug-seeking behaviours (National Institute on Drug Abuse, 2020). According to Turning Point (2024), addiction is one of the most misunderstood health issues and contributes to the burden of disease in Australia. Despite common belief, addiction is not a choice or a weakness, nor is it a lack of willpower or moral principle; instead, it is a significant healthcare issue that affects up to one in five Australians Turning Point (2024).

One way to combat addiction is to recognise early warning signs. It is essential in recovery to prevent an escalation of problematic behaviour and allow for timely interventions. Whether it be excessive drinking of alcohol, illicit drug use or online gambling, it is important to understand the relationship between your thoughts, feelings, behaviour and physical sensations (Bennett et al., 2005). Subtle changes to your behaviour, such as a shift in routine, social withdrawal and avoiding supportive friends and family, can be signs of worsening mood, deteriorating mental state and a pending relapse.

When researching the relapse process in those who use methamphetamines, Kaviyani et al. (2023) described a difference between lapse and relapse. The former is a temporary return to drug use – some would describe this as a ‘blip’ whilst the latter is a more prolonged and severe pattern of drug use whereby the problematic behaviour is at its worst and most damaging. By recognising early warning signs, the individual can seek help before a lapse becomes a relapse.

Recognition of early warning signs can help improve the overall quality of life by allowing the individual to make the required and necessary changes to their lifestyle, seek professional help and implement strategies, such as Motivational Interviewing, before things get to breaking point. Motivational Interviewing is an evidence-based technique that can help motivate ambivalent individuals concerning change (Bischof et al., 2021). It can be used in the early stages of recovery.

Recognition of early warning signs and early intervention in recovery can prevent long-term damage to relationships, worsening financial struggles, and damage to professional reputations. Understanding the importance of early warning signs fosters a sense of self-awareness and empowers individuals to regain control over their health.

References

Bennett, G. A., Withers, J., Thomas, P. W., Higgins, D. S., Bailey, J., Parry, L., & Davies, E. (2005). A randomised trial of early warning signs relapse prevention training in the treatment of alcohol dependence. Addictive Behaviors, 30(6), 1111–1124. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.addbeh.2004.10.008

Bischof, G., Bischof, A., & Rumpf, H.-J. (2021). Motivational Interviewing: An Evidence-Based Approach for Use in Medical Practice. Deutsches Aerzteblatt Online, 118(7), 109–115. https://doi.org/10.3238/arztebl.m2021.0014

Kaviyani, F., Khorrami, M., Heydari, H., & Namvar, M. (2023). Understanding the laps and relapse process: in-depth interviews with individual who use methamphetamine. Substance Abuse Treatment, Prevention, and Policy, 18, 41. https://doi.org/10.1186/s13011-023-00548-9

National Institute on Drug Abuse. (2020). Drug Misuse and Addiction. National Institute on Drug Abuse; National Institutes of Health. https://nida.nih.gov/publications/drugs-brains-behavior-science-addiction/drug-misuse-addiction

Turning Point. (2024). What is addiction? Turning Point. https://www.turningpoint.org.au/treatment/about-addiction/what-is-addiction

Written by Mark Bint

Mental Health

On Your Marks Care

E: mark@onyourmarkscare.com.au