Chapter 10
Mental/Emotional Health & Drugs

Overview

The 1990s were designated the "Decade of the Brain" because scientific advances had greatly expanded knowledge of how the mind and central nervous system work. This understanding of neurotransmitters and brain chemistry helps us to study the connections between mental/emotional problems and psychoactive drugs.

This chapter examines the high incidence of mental imbalances and illnesses such as schizophrenia, depression, bipolar disorder, and anxiety disorders among substance abusers. It then looks at the different approaches to treating the dually diagnosed client by the drug abuse community and the mental health community.

Finally after defining the symptoms and effects of the various mental illnesses and the connection between neurotransmitters, street drugs, and psychiatric drugs, treatment approaches are examined. In particular the use of psychiatric medications, e.g., antidepressants, antipsychotics, lithium, and antianxiety drugs, are discussed.