People turn to alcohol and drugs for various reasons---they might like the relaxing feeling or use them to forget about troubles in their lives. But when a person relies on drugs and alcohol and starts neglecting responsibilities, it becomes substance abuse. Substance abuse can affect the user emotionally through psychological dependence and can worsen preexisting conditions, such as depression. Substance abuse also emotionally affects the people close to the user.
Psychological Dependence
NASA states that many substance abusers develop psychological dependence when abusing a substance, to the point that they have "emotional and mental preoccupation with the drugs' pleasurable effects." These substances interfere with the brain's pleasure neurotransmitter, dopamine---more is released when a person uses, which results in a relaxed or happy feeling. The user enjoys the elation and boosts in energy from the substance and becomes obsessed with maintaining that level of pleasure. As a result, the user takes more drugs and alcohol as her tolerance for these substances increases. Because the substances disrupt the normal level of dopamine in the brain, the user feels she cannot feel pleasure without the drugs.
Worsening of Emotional Problems
HelpGuide notes that many users of drugs and alcohol turn to them to cope with a preexisting problem, such as depression and anxiety. On a short-term basis, the substances can relieve the symptoms of these emotional problems and leave the user feeling good. However, the drugs and alcohol do no treat the problems the user is attempting to push to the back of his mind. Instead, the substance abuse can make the emotional problems worse. For example, alcohol is a depressant and can exacerbate the symptoms of a preexisting depressive disorder. The emotional problems are also made worse by issues associated with substance abuse, such as social withdrawal and legal problems.
Emotional Trauma
Substance abusers are not the only ones who feel the emotional effects of alcohol and drugs. Friends and family, especially children, are susceptible to the emotional trauma from substance abuse. HelpGuide states that alcoholics, for example, are prone to committing domestic violence, which can be targeted at a partner or children. Friends and family may also feel as though they have to cover for the user, which can add an emotional strain and lead to resentment.
