The Psychological Nature of Addiction
A high percentage of people who have a substance use disorder (i.e., an addiction to a substance) also meet the diagnostic criteria for one or more mental health problems including depression, post-traumatic stress disorder, and bi-polar disorder; this phenomenon is called "dual diagnosis" in the medical community. Addicts also have a higher rate of suicide attempts than does the general population. In addition to the physical aspects of addiction, substance use disorders and behavioral addictions have, as described above, strong connections to psychological and psychiatric problems. Stress, anxiety, and depression can compel a person to seek solace in substances or behaviors as a form of coping; in turn, use of substances or engaging in addictive behaviors can also produce these symptoms after the “high” and/or should the person begin experiencing withdrawal. Read more about the psychological facets of addiction in the articles that follow.
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