How do drugs effect your mental health ?

Drugs can alter or change chemicals in your brain which can possibly have adverse effects on your overall wellbeing including your mental health.

All drugs including the misuse of prescription medications or illegal substances carry serious health risk and can in some cases lead to possible death.

Drugs can alter or change chemicals in your brain which can possibly have adverse effects on your overall wellbeing including your mental health.

All people will experience the effects of drug taking differently.

Some may experience a ‘high’ after taking mind altering substances, whereas others lose all sense of judgement and experience extreme anxiety which can manifest itself into more serious issues.

It is possible that you may begin to see and hear things differently all around you. Your normal safe environment may become distorted and changed leading you to experience more anxiety as a result.

Taking drugs can also have a huge impact on your moods and emotions. You may experience negative impacts on your physical body and also your mental health.

When you take psychoactive drugs like cannabis, ecstasy, cocaine, alcohol, or opioids you may experience short term positive effects that may lead into long term negative effects on your overall wellbeing and happiness.

Possible long term effects of drug taking are:

• Stealing money from friends and family in order to buy drugs

• Being less productive at home, work or school.

• Experiencing sudden and drastic mood changes

• Feeling dependant on drugs.

• Have episodes of drug induced psychosis.

• It will take a longer time for your mental health to heal if you take drugs. Drugs can make you more likely want to self-harm or take your own life.

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Support:

If you feel that your drug use is affecting your mental health know that there are many support options available to you. Click here to find a list of supports in your area.

Seek advice from your local GP who will talk you through your options to help get you the support and guidance you need. Below are some local and national services available to you.

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If you need further support remember to let us help you here at Talk To Tom. We can be your guide - contact us on (0818) 303061or via Whats App. 

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Other services you where you can reach someone to talk to are:

Samaritans offers a 24 hour listening service over text message, text 'Hello' to 087 260 9090 to get started (standard text messaging rates apply) or call 116 123 to talk to someone over the phone.

Childline text and instant messaging services are available from 10am - 4am every day to young people under 18, text 'Talk' to 50101 to talk to a trained counsellor by text message or call 1800 66 66 66.

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Visit Your GP:

We always recommend that you visit your GP.  Don’t feel embarrassed or ashamed.  Your doctor is a professional health care provider and will be familiar with how you are feeling.  Your mental health is just that - your health.  You would visit your GP if you had been feeling physically unwell right ?  Your emotional health is just as important as your physical well-being - in fact the two go hand in hand.  If you don’t have a current GP you can find a list of services in your area here.  You can also contact the CareDoc service on 1850 334 999

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Contact the Emergency Services:

If you are an immediate danger to yourself and are going through a suicidal crisis  please contact the emergency services by dialling 999 or visit your nearest Emergency Department.