Self Medicating and Your Anxiety

Self Medicating and Your Anxiety This article is going to talk about self medication with street drugs. Let's first take a look at the street drugs that people commonly use, specifically pot and alcohol. Marijuana is commonly used by itself or in combination with alcohol. Pot can give you a calming effect after it is inhaled. Depending on the amount and strength it can also have the opposite effect on your physical health. Increased respirations and heart rate can be expected. Mentally, pot use can lead to psychological dependence, paranoia, which in turn can lead to extreme levels of anxiety. The whole idea of engaging in an illegal activity can increase your anxiety and keep it there as long as you are involved in this activity. Getting caught with dope, getting arrested and jailed can increase your anxiety. Does this all sound like common sense? Well yes it is, you don't need a PHD in psychology to figure this out. Prolonged stress leads to anxiety and it is inevitable it will happen. Think back to when you did something you said you would never do. Likely you had feelings of guilt, worry and that physical rush (pounding heart, inability to concentrate, increased breathing), to conclude this is another reason to stay away from street drugs, it just a poor choice. See how long you can put your body and mind through this and I can guarantee it won't be long before you are leading a tough battle fighting anxiety not to mention the physical damage you are putting your body through. Sure we always hear about how safe pot is and that it should be legalized, but for an anxiety sufferer or someone dealing with mental health issues it's a devastating choice. Now let's take a look at alcohol and your mental health. In small amounts (1 drink per day) studies have shown alcohol to be beneficial to your general health, but there is a fine line and not everyone can drink alcohol on a daily basis without having physical damage to your body or a psychological problem in the form of an addiction. When first consumed, alcohol acts like a mild stimulant. You may feel euphoric and energetic. As we consume more our body cannot process the alcohol as quickly as we consume it. As the amount increases it begins to depress body systems which ultimately can lead to coma and death. Long term use of alcohol damages organs in the body, creates family issues, employment problems that can lead to poor mental health. Without treating these addictions you will never be able to control your anxiety. Alcohol will make you depressed and lazy. It will make you make excuses for your behavior. Alcohol use will hurt people you love but will mask your guilt and shame. If you have an addiction get treated for it. Stop making excuses and being in denial, you are only putting off the inevitable, a long hard life of mental health and physical problems. Written by Psychiatric Nurse Web Publisher for the site www.anxietyhelponline.com December 20/2005