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Effects
of Alcohol and Chemical Dependency on Mental Health
Alcoholism
affects 7.9 million American adults, and 18.8 million suffer from
depression, according to the National Institutes of Health. Research
has proven that a correlation has existed for years. The work of
the Washington University researchers identified a specific gene
associated with both depression and alcoholism. The study is published
in the September 2004 issue of the journal Human Molecular Genetics.
“Clinicians
have observed a connection between these two disorders for years,
so we are excited to have found what could be a molecular underpinning
for that association,” says principal investigator Alison
M. Goate, D. Phil., the Samuel and Mae S. Ludwig Professor of
Genetics in Psychiatry, professor of genetics and professor
of neurology at the School of Medicine. The
Springfield News-Leader, Scientists find gene linked to depression,
alcoholism
Alcoholism
and drug dependency can interact with mental health problems. People
with mental health problems are at particular risk of having problems
with alcohol.
Depending
on the type of mental health problem, alcohol can…
- make symptoms
worse,
- interact
harmfully with medications,
- contribute
to bad moods,
- result in
sleep deprivation, and
- cloud thinking.
Additional
links between alcohol/chemical dependence and other mental health
problems:
- With some
mental health problems, the risk of alcohol dependence is significantly
increased when a person drinks to reduce stress.
- People with
mental health problems are more likely than the general population
to have an alcohol dependence problem.
- Alcohol
misuse is a casual factor in a number of mental health conditions
including alcoholic psychosis, alcohol dependence syndrome and
alcohol-related dementia.
Sources:
Scientists
find depression/alcoholism gene; Substance
Abuse & Mental Health Services Administration
Stigma
Mental illness
can strike anyone! It does not know age, race, income, gender, or
religion. Many times people do not seek treatment for mental health
problems because of the shame associated with the illness. Moreover,
many people experience some form of discrimination in the workplace,
with health insurances, or social settings.
Stigma reduces
confidence that mental illnesses are real and treatable health conditions.
As a society, we have created a stigma around mental illness that
prevents effective treatment and recovery. As well, this type of
environment promotes a feeling of rejection to the caregivers and
family members. Improving community attitudes by increasing knowledge
and understanding about mental illness is essential.
Source:
MHIC:
Mental Illness and the Family: Stigma: Building Awareness And Understanding
About Mental Illness, The
Nation's Voice on Mental Illness, National
Mental Health Information Center
Support
of mental health information is provided by the
Woodruff Foundation
Harry K. and Emma R. Fox Charitable Foundation
The Margaret Clark Morgan Foundation
90.3
WCPN Feature Stories
- Mental
Health & Substance Abuse - Part 1
Aired March 30, 2005
ideastream begins an in-depth examination of Mental Health issues
that can isolate you from family and friends. Producer David C.
Barnett begins our focus with a story about how a mental health
disorder can be disguised by substance abuse.
- Mental
Health & Substance Abuse - Part 2
Aired March 31, 2005
In the United States today, nearly half of those who abuse alcohol
or other drugs also have at least one serious mental illness.
But, until recently, the treatment of substance abuse and mental
disorders has remained separate. In the second of a two-part story,
producer David C. Barnett reports on Ohio efforts to integrate
treatment.
- A
Broken Man Becomes a Fixer
Web Exclusive - Posted March 30,
2005
Throughout his professional career, Bill Denihan has gained a
reputation as a “fixer” - someone who comes in to
manage a troubled organization and turn it around. Among his many
jobs, Denihan has been the Ohio Highway Safety Director, the Cleveland
Safety Director, the Director of Cuyahoga County’s Department
of Child and Family Services, and most recently, the head of the
County’s Mental Health Board. But, perhaps his biggest challenge
was to fix his own life. The son of alcoholic parents, Bill Denihan
was forced to face some personal demons after a drinking binge
nearly 30 years ago in the Flat Iron Café in the Flats.
Recently, Denihan and ideastream’s David C. Barnett paid
a visit to the Flat Iron to bring back some old memories.
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