Drug Addiction is a Mental Illness; a Tragic Reality

By Raymond O’Lenic

One sunny Sunday in October, Jan and I were driving home from church, when the expensive blue Beamer, with darkened windows, flashed by. As the car began swerving violently, from side to side, we dropped back to a safe distance, concerned that drivers in the oncoming lane would be struck head-on.

When the car narrowly missed striking several vehicles, I shouted to Jan, “Call 911,” .  

But as she spoke to the operator, the car veered off the road and plunged down a steep embankment burrowing 150 yards into the tall reeds, that grew in the marshy Swale, 15 feet below the road surface.

A young woman and I ran through the tunnel, the car had cut through the dense growth and found the vehicle stopped, but with the engine running and wheels still spinning.   I cautiously opened the door.

Reaching over the gasping young driver, I shut off the engine and tried to awaken him. He was a tall, handsome young man, well groomed and neatly dressed; not at all what I had expected.

Rescue finally arrived. “He’s doing a lot better now,” the fireman told us.

But he wasn’t, he died; he was only 24.

Is Drug Addiction a Mental Illness?

Yes, according to the National Institute of Health. Drug abuse is a form of mental illness. In fact, they point out that “The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders” (DSM), which is the definitive resource for diagnosis all mental disorders, includes criteria for drug addiction.

“Addiction changes the brain in fundamental ways, disturbing a person’s normal hierarchy of needs and desires and substituting new priorities connected with procuring and using the drug. The resulting compulsive behaviors that override the ability to control impulses despite the consequences are similar to hallmarks of other mental illnesses.” — National Institute of Health (NIH)

Drug Abuse and Mental Illness

According to the NIH, there is a strong linkage between mental illness and drug abuse. And furthermore, drug abusers are often mentally ill. The increased occurrence of psychoses in marijuana abusers is well documented. Furthermore, self-medication by mentally ill is recognized as a factor leading to drug abuse; it happens both ways.

The drug problem is huge: according to the NIH, nearly 10% of the US population, nearly 24 million people, used illegal drugs in the last year. Furthermore, very few received treatment.

These are sobering statistics, but there is one thing I know: I saw a handsome young man die. I don’t know why he chose to take heroin, fentanyl, or whatever he took that killed him, but drug abuse, which is self-inflicted mental illness, killed him.

We never met his parents, but we pray for them, and his family and friends.

Raymond O’Lenic is a freelance writer and blogger. He writes on personal finance, economics, and technology and blogs on his website at http://www.a2tozee.com/.

This is a true story that he shares in the hope that it helps someone using, or considering using drugs.

About The Author

Defying Mental Illness

Chuck and Zoe are the founders of Defying Mental Illness (DMI), a Community Interest Company. Guest bloggers have played a very enriching role in making this website a highly recognized website for mental health advocacy. To contribute a blog, please contact us.

Defying Mental Illness – Put a Full Stop, is an organization with a mandate to reach out to those faced with mental health challenges to help them not only defy the disease, but also put a full stop to the stigma and discrimination. Chuck and Zoe are often invited to speak on various platforms including radio and television.

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