Alcohol and Metal Illness
There is a relationship between alcohol and mental illness. Sometimes mental illness leads to alcohol abuse, excessive alcohol drinking can contribute to mental health disorders. To better understand mental illness we need to have an idea about what constitutes mental health.
The essence of good mental health is to feel secure and in controlof our lives, to feel free of emotional pressure. Full of enthusiasm for life, full of vitality good mental health means feeling happy.
Good physical and mental health is related. Generally if we have mental stress, it is detrimental to the good health and functioning of our body. Physical illness might cause mental distress because it can lead to anxiety, depression and put us under emotional pressure. Any form of alcohol or drug use is opposed to optimal functioning in our body and our mind – drugs introduce stress to the body, and so tend to undermine what should be a natural capacity to feel happy without a need for drug use.
It is a well known fact that in today’s society there is pervasive depression. Depression occurs to some extent whenever we feel insecure and relatively disempowered. Feelings of depression are always subjective; our response to an environment that we feel is not supportive of our needs. Levels of depression will vary depending upon how we view our circumstances – the antidote to depression is the hope of feeling better, and the means to achieve it.
There is also high levels of anxiety in our society, anxiety occurs to some extent whenever we feel insecure and relatively disempowered. Anxiety and depression are alternate responses to feelings of insecurity and disempowerment.
When alcohol is a cultural norm, that acts as a chemical regulator for feelings of discontent, it is reasonable for us try and moderate difficult feelings by using alcohol as a drug. Depending on our level of social competence, and our natural inclinations, we can find all manner of things to do, to alleviate negative feelings. However, if alcohol is available, and it alleviates painful, negative feelings, the temptation can be strong to opt for the quick fix.
Negative feelings cause us pain at a physical and emotional level. Pain is a stimulus, a protective function in the body that forces us to make changes. In a world where we have the freedom to fully respond to our pain, and make necessary change, pain is positive in that it promotes movement and action to restore our health and well being.
The reality of life today is that not only are we under a heavy load of enormous, unnatural pressures, there is often no way in practical terms that we can resolve our issues. Perhaps we lack the competence, perhaps we know what we need, but the way is blocked. Sometimes we might not fully understand what our issues are – only that we feel tense, unhappy and stressed.
Mental illness occurs when we modify our normal responses so as to try and adapt to emotional pressure in order to maintain feelings of integrity and happiness. Extreme trauma can result in bizarre responses, intended to enhance our emotional survival, and cause chemical changes in the brain. Mental illness is an absence of good mental health. When our mind is fit and strong to deal with our problems, we don’t suffer from mental illness. Obviously, a society that prescribes what constitutes good mental health, will thereby define mental illness.
If society dictates that good mental health is obedience to and acceptance of a definitive set of rules and behaviours, people who are not compliant to the code will become labelled as antisocial, criminal and inherently mentally ill. Mental illness and drug use can both be seen as maladaptive ways to lessen feelings of insecurity and unhappiness in any given situation.
If we widen the definition of abuse to include all oppressive behaviour – whenever we find mental illness and or substance abuse – we will find antecedent oppression of the person involved, and conditions of life that they felt unable to otherwise resolve. In relational terms, all mental illness and alcoholism is a response intended as a defence against feeling emotional pain.
Such is the way that power is structured in the modern world that many dominant sectors exercise unrestrained power that is unhealthy and abusive towards others, both within families and the community. They are extremely resistant to change. Do we simply drink more alcohol, take drugs for our mental distress, or look outside the frame, for ways to assert our right to be “us” in a more effective way. Drugs are not the answer to distress and mental illness. We need to learn how to state our real needs, validate our feelings and put recovery into action.
Comprehensive alcohol and drug rehab programs help people to sort out their emotional issues, and develop self esteem. Feelings of strength and empowerment are an antidote to alcohol and drug use. Courses take you through the journey to self empowerment; develop good mental health, leaving behind addiction and dysfunctional ways of thinking.
When you want to get out of the trap of addiction and mental distress, use comprehensive strategies and programs to empower yourself, and regain good physical and mental health.
The Have I Got A Problem website is a free online resource to help people better understand any issues or concerns they may have about mental health or addiction. The website includes resources specifically focused to; general Mental Health, Depression, Stress, Anxiety, Insecurities, Self-harm Schizophrenia, Bipolar, Anger Management, Eating Disorders, Coping, general Addiction, Alcohol, Smoking, Gambling, Drugs, Cocaine, Heroin, Marijuana (Cannabis) Ecstasy, PCP, Mephedrone, Ketamine & Crystal Meth.
The site was created to give the public information to help them understand mental health and addiction issues and to assist people in making better informed decisions about their life and personal choices.
www.haveigotaproblem.com was created and is run by 'Advising Communities’, which is a UK registered charity (Charity No. 1061055)
Downloads
- Alcohol and Drinking
- Am I a safe drinker?
- Internet therapy versus internet self-help versus no treatment for problematic alcohol use: a randomized controlled trial
- How to Deal With Alcohol Addiction
- Overcoming alcoholism
- Signs and symptoms of alcoholism
- What causes addiction
- What is Alcoholism
- Social and economic problems linked to alcohol use
- Drunk Driving: The Dangers
Quotes
"For ten years I was a functioning alcoholic. Because I was constantly topping up, I never had withdrawal symptoms, but my health began to suffer. I regret putting my family through this but I feel optimistic about the future."
Loris
MoreSend us your QuotesTips & Hints
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