There are many reasons that people take drugs recreationally. Drug use, including alcohol, often begins during the teen years out of curiosity, peer pressure, or rebellion and may continue for any of these reasons. What becomes apparent right away is that drugs change feelings and perceptions. You may find yourself asking, “Why are drugs altering my mood?” Different drugs have different effects and may be used to increase energy, combat unhappiness, cope with stress, escape reality, or get through difficult times. Individuals with mental health issues often use drugs to self-medicate.
No matter the reason for starting to use drugs, for millions of people, regular drug use often becomes problematic and can lead to the development of substance use disorders (SUD), creating a whole new set of problems. For individuals who develop SUD, a professional substance abuse treatment program is the safest, most effective way to escape the grips of addiction and regain control of your life.
Whether you need treatment for yourself or a loved one, Gulf Breeze Recovery can help. Our holistic, non-12-step approach has helped countless individuals and families. Call 833.551.2304 to learn more about our unique treatment programs.
Why Are Drugs Altering Your Mood?
“Mood” refers to a relatively stable state of mind that can be positive or negative. Moods differ from emotions in that they are more general and less intense. While specific experiences or events trigger emotions, moods are more consistent and can impact how people feel, think, and behave.
Drugs alter your mood because of how they impact brain functioning. Experiencing the mood-altering effects of drugs is the main reason people use them. Not everyone who uses drugs develops a substance use disorder. For these people, their mood returns to baseline when the drug wears off. However, chronic drug use can have a more lasting impact on mood because it disrupts the natural balance of neurotransmitters and can alter the structure of the brain, sometimes permanently.
When Can You Experience a Drug Altering Mood?
Mood swings are a typical symptom of SUD, and they may be more intense if someone has a co-occurring mental health issue. The following are some of the different times you can experience drugs alter your mood:
- Immediate effects – Depending on the type of drug, immediate effects can include relaxation, euphoria, detachment, or increased energy. When the immediate effects wear off, people can experience a “crash” that causes negative mood swings like depression or irritability.
- Cravings – When drug cravings are not satisfied, people experience mood swings ranging from agitation and irritability to anxiety and depression.
- Withdrawal – Individuals with SUD experience withdrawal symptoms when drugs are not in their system. Mood swings are a significant withdrawal symptom.
Substance abuse is a coping mechanism for many. They may rely on drug use to manage symptoms of mental health issues like anxiety, depression, PTSD, or bipolar disorder. Others may use drugs to manage chronic pain or unresolved trauma. These individuals may experience intense mood swings as they attempt to cope with these issues when unable to self-medicate.
What Are the Impacts of Drug Mood Swings?
The irony of using drugs to self-medicate is that while they may provide temporary relief, ultimately, drugs exacerbate symptoms in individuals with underlying mental health issues. Further, for individuals who do not have preexisting mental health issues, chronic drug use can lead to the development of substance-induced mood disorders.
Drug mood swings can have both short-term and long-term impacts on multiple areas of life, such as:
- Strained, disrupted, or otherwise damaged relationships
- Impaired work or academic performance
- Financial consequences
- Legal issues
- Physical health complications
- Mental health complications
- Increased risk of accidents or injuries
- Social isolation
- Increased risk of suicide
Drug mood swings can cause people to say or do things they wouldn’t normally do. When the mood swing passes, they may experience shame, guilt, or embarrassment that can perpetuate the cycle of drug abuse.
Contact Gulf Breeze Recovery for SUD Treatment
Substance use disorders impact all areas of life, including mood stability. Drugs alter your mood by impacting brain functioning. The resulting mood swings can have significant negative impacts, including the perpetuation of the cycle of addiction.
At Gulf Breeze Recovery, our holistic approach to substance use disorder treatment helps our guests not only minimize symptoms but also gain insight and understanding into the underlying causes of SUD. Call 833.551.2304 or use our online contact form to begin your recovery journey today.
