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There are lots of reasons why addictions begin. In the case of drugs, alcohol and nicotine, these substances affect the way you feel, both physically and mentally. These feelings can be enjoyable and create a powerful urge to use the substances again. Gambling may result in a similar mental "high" after a win, followed by a strong urge to try again and recreate that feeling. This can develop into a habit that becomes very hard to stop.Being addicted to something means that not having it causes withdrawal symptoms, or a "come down". Because this can be unpleasant, it's easier to carry on having or doing what you crave, and so the cycle continues. Often, an addiction gets out of control because you need more and more to satisfy a craving and achieve the "high".

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All drugs can have an effect on your mental health. They can change your mood and behaviour. For some people, taking drugs can lead to long-term mental health problems. When we talk about drugs, we’re referring to recreational drugs such as cannabis, ecstasy, cocaine and heroin, as well as alcohol, tobacco and some prescribed medicines if they are misused. Drugs may be legal, illegal or a controlled substance (only legal if you have a prescription for them). There are different ways drugs can affect your mental health. For some people, taking drugs can lead to long-term mental health problems. Regular cannabis use can increase your risk of anxiety or depression. There’s also a link between using stronger cannabis and developing psychosis or schizophrenia.

Stimulant drugs can make you feel depressed, anxious and paranoid. Cocaine – a type of stimulant – can make previous mental health problems recur and trigger psychosis and schizophrenia. Ecstasy users can experience memory problems. Hallucinogenic drugs such as magic mushrooms can make any mental health issues worse. They can make you feel detached from your surrounding and cause flashbacks, which can be frightening or distressing. If you take medication, mixing it with alcohol or drugs can be dangerous or even fatal. You may feel you’re no longer in control of your drug use or that you need to take more and more of it to feel an effect. If so, you could be becoming addicted. Drug addiction is linked to mental health problems. Taking any drug can be dangerous.

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While the effects of alcohol can sometimes have a short term positive impact on our mood, in the long term it can cause problems for mental health. Drinking alcohol is linked to a range of mental health issues from depression and memory loss, to suicide. Regular, heavy drinking interferes with chemicals in the brain that are vital for good mental health. So while we might feel relaxed after a drink, in the long run alcohol has an impact on mental health and can contribute to feelings of depression and anxiety, and make stress harder to deal with. The brain relies on a delicate balance of chemicals and processes. Alcohol is a depressant, which means it can disrupt that balance, affecting our thoughts, feelings and actions – and sometimes our long-term mental health. This is partly down to neurotransmitters, which are chemicals that help to transmit signals from one nerve (or neuron) in the brain to another. Feelings of anxiety can happen with a hangover, too. For some, these feelings are barely noticeable. But if anxiety is already an issue, the hangover effect can make those symptoms worse.

Drinking alcohol can also make a person feel more anxious in certain situations. When we drink, we don’t always respond to all the cues around us. If we’re prone to anxiety and notice something that could be interpreted as threatening in the environment, there is a tendency to focus on that and miss the other less threatening - or neutral - information. To reduce stress or anxiety without alcohol, try exercise or relaxation methods, such as meditation or yoga. Or try breathing techniques when you feel worried or anxious. Talking to somebody you know about how you’re feeling is also a positive thing to do. Drinking heavily and regularly is associated with symptoms of depression, although it can be difficult to separate cause and effect. This means it’s not always clear whether drinking alcohol causes a person to experience symptoms of depression. What we do know is that alcohol affects several nerve-chemical systems within our bodies which are important in regulating our mood. Studies show that depression can follow on from heavy drinking.3 And that reducing or stopping drinking can improve mood. Alcohol can cause people to lose their inhibitions and behave impulsively, so it can lead to actions they might not otherwise have taken – including self-harm and even suicide.13 There is a strong association between drinking heavily (either chronic or acute alcohol misuse) and suicidal thoughts, suicide attempts, and death from suicide. Extreme levels of drinking (such as drinking more than 30 units per day for several weeks) can occasionally cause psychosis, which is a severe mental illness where hallucinations and delusions – of persecution, for example – occur. Psychoses can be caused by both acute intoxication and withdrawal and can be more common in cases when drinkers who are dependent on alcohol suddenly stop drinking.

This Mental Health Month, we’re focusing on the impact addiction has on people’s lives, work, and relationships. The most common addictions in the UK are tobacco followed by alcohol. Addiction is a mental illness and can be a contributory factor in the development of other mental health conditions such as depression, anxiety and psychosis. It’s a common problem, but help is available.

Brian had felt a profound sense of loss since his fiancé had died many years ago. As a result, his solution for dealing with emotional pain had been to consume alcohol. He went on to get married and have a child, but after years of animosity and arguing, he and his wife finally separated. The EIC supported him in getting his own place to live, but when he did, his use of alcohol spiraled out of control.

Brian started drinking every day and this went on for months before he settled into a binge-drinking pattern. He could go for months without a drink, but whenever anything major happened in his life, he returned to drinking heavily. One binge session lasted eight weeks. He started to feel suicidal and would hide in a cupboard under the stairs if he heard anyone approach his front door.

Eventually, Brian decided enough was enough. He had lost three and a half stone and he desperately wanted to be there for his seven-year-old autistic son. After discussions with the EIC, he went into a community detox programme and returned to work. His wife was dropping off his son one night when Brian saw someone else in the car with them. This was enough to make him lose control again and resulted in him not being able to see his son for a month. Feeling isolated with no family and few friends left, he started drinking heavily again.

When he spoke to the EIC late one Saturday night, Brian had reached his lowest point. He didn't think he could make it through another day. We booked him straight into rehab. We organised the medical treatment he needed to cope with the effects of alcohol withdrawal and to prevent him from having any seizures. After a month in rehab, we helped Brian to find a new flat, paying the deposit and two months’ rent. He is now going to regular AA meetings and living his life without alcohol.

Brian is grateful to the EIC for helping him get his life back on track and giving his son his father back. He now has a full and proper relationship with his son, enjoying go karting, swimming and the cinema. He says he wouldn’t be here today were it not for the help provided by the EIC.

The help Brian was able to access is due to the support of the EIC and the powerLottery. It means he got the treatment and support he needed to address his addiction and get his life on the right track, and relationship with his son back. Without powerLottery, the EIC would not be able to offer support to people like Brian. That’s why we need you to become a powerLottery player to help EIC to continue supporting our industry members.

powerLottery is the only lottery made for our industry by our industry. It gives players 40 chances to win cash prizes ranging from £50 to £1,000 every single month. A £10,000 draw bi-yearly gives you even more opportunity to win BIG. A new car, a holiday in the sun, a kitchen re-fit or a brand-new wardrobe… Think of all the different ways you could spend £10,000.

To sign up to play the powerLottery today, click here: https://www.electricalcharity.org/lottery

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Cannabis contains lots of different chemicals known as cannabinoids. Some examples are cannabidiol (CBD) and tetrahydrocannabinol (THC). THC is the main active ingredient in the cannabis plant. The more THC there is in cannabis, the greater the effect will be. Skunk is a stronger variety of cannabis. It contains higher levels of THC. Evidence suggests that the effects of skunk are faster and stronger than milder cannabis.
CBD can lessen the unwanted psychoactive effects of THC such as hallucinations and paranoia. It can also reduce anxiety. This means that the effects of THC will be lower if there is more CBD in the plant.
Cannabis can make you feel happy, relaxed, talkative or laugh more than usual. You may find that colours and music are brighter and sharper. Pleasant effects are known as a ‘high.’

What are the unpleasant effects of cannabis?

Cannabis can cause hallucinations, changes in mood, amnesia, depersonalisation, paranoia, delusion and disorientation. You might find it harder to concentrate or remember things. You may find that you can’t sleep well and you feel depressed. You may also feel hungry or like time is slowing down. You might have lower motivation. And cannabis can affect how you sense things. You may see, hear or feel things differently. This is known as hallucinating. Hallucinations can be a sign of psychosis. Psychosis can be a symptom of mental illness, including schizophrenia, schizoaffective disorder and bipolar disorder. These can be called ‘psychotic illnesses.’ Regular cannabis use is linked to an increased risk of anxiety and depression. But most research seems to have a focus on the link between psychosis and cannabis.

Using cannabis can increase the risk of later developing psychotic illness, including schizophrenia. There is a lot of reliable evidence to show a link between the use of stronger cannabis and psychotic illnesses, including schizophrenia. But the link is not fully understood. Cannabis may be one of the causes of developing a mental illness, but it isn’t be the only cause for many people. Not everyone who uses cannabis will develop psychosis or schizophrenia. And not everyone who has psychosis or schizophrenia has used cannabis. But you are more likely to develop a psychotic illness if you smoke cannabis. And are ‘genetically vulnerable’ to mental health problems.

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People gamble for many reasons: the adrenaline rush, to win money, to socialise or to try and escape from worries or stress. However, for some people gambling can get out of control. If you find yourself betting more than you can afford to lose, borrowing money, or feeling stressed and anxious about gambling, you may have a problem. If you want to stop gambling, there is help available. You can get treatment, join support groups and try self-help tips.

What is problem gambling?
Problem gambling can affect your health, relationships and leave you in debt. It can also be called compulsive gambling or a gambling addiction.

You may have a gambling problem if you:

• Spend more money on gambling than you can afford
• Gamble when you should be doing something else, like working or spending time with family
• Feel anxious or stressed about your gambling
• Use gambling to deal with problems or difficult feelings
• Lie to family and friends about your gambling
• Borrow or steal to fund your gambling.

GamCare is a charity supporting anyone affected by problem gambling. Their self-assessment tool can help you understand the impact gambling has on your life, and provide resources to help you change your gambling habits: https://www.gamcare.org.uk/understanding-gambling-problems/self-assessment-tool 

What causes problem gambling?
Problem gambling is an addiction, and there is no single reason why addictions develop. Many different factors can increase your risk of developing a gambling problem, including:

• Having a relative, especially a parent, with a gambling problem
• Being introduced to gambling at an early age
• Pressure from friends to gamble
• Your personality – being competitive, impulsive, restless, or easily bored can increase your risk of having a gambling problem
• Taking medication to treat Parkinson’s or restless leg syndrome. This can cause the rare side effect of compulsive behaviour, including compulsive gambling.

How can gambling affect my mental health?
If gambling becomes a problem, it can cause low self-esteem, stress, anxiety, and depression. Gambling can become an addiction, just like drugs or alcohol, if you use it compulsively or feel out of control. Gambling can affect the part of our brain that releases dopamine, a ‘feel good’ hormone that creates feelings of pleasure and reward. When we win a bet, our brain gives us an emotional reward. If you get addicted to gambling, other pleasurable activities may no longer make you feel good. So instead, you will gamble to get the same buzz.

The good news is that your brain chemistry can change back. Everyday life can feel enjoyable again. There’s also a strong link between gambling problems and thoughts of suicide. If you have thoughts of ending your life or don’t feel you can keep yourself safe, call 999 or go to A&E immediately. If you have a mental health problem, you’re more at risk of harmful gambling. For example, you may gamble to try to feel better about yourself when you’re depressed, or to distract yourself if you’re angry or upset.

These days, most of us access social media via our smartphones or tablets. While this makes it very convenient to keep in touch, it also means that social media is always accessible. This round-the-clock, hyper connectivity can trigger impulse control problems, the constant alerts and notifications affecting your concentration and focus, disturbing your sleep, and making you a slave to your phone. Social media platforms are designed to snare your attention, keep you online, and have you repeatedly checking your screen for updates. It’s how the companies make money. But, much like a gambling compulsion or an addiction to nicotine, alcohol, or drugs, social media use can create psychological cravings. When you receive a like, a share, or a favourable reaction to a post, it can trigger the release of dopamine in the brain, the same “reward” chemical that follows winning on a slot machine, taking a bite of chocolate, or lighting up a cigarette, for example. The more you’re rewarded, the more time you want to spend on social media, even if it becomes detrimental to other aspects of your life.

Social media addiction is a behavioural addiction that is characterized as being overly concerned about social media, driven by an uncontrollable urge to log on to or use social media, and devoting so much time and effort to social media that it impairs other important life areas. Research has shown that there is an undeniable link between social media use, negative mental health, and low self-esteem. While social media platforms have their benefits, using them too frequently can make people feel increasingly unhappy and isolated. These negative emotional reactions are not only produced due to the social pressure of sharing things with others, but also the comparison of material things and lifestyles that these sites promote.

The effect too much social media consumption has on our mental wellbeing is profound. With the rise of reality television many of us are subject to the ‘Love Island’ effect. This effect is coined as such because of the effect reality TV has had on social media, our consumption of social media and how we allow social media to impact us. Reality shows such as ‘Love Island’ have helped to create a social media lifestyle coveted by much of the wider public. Coveting a lifestyle which for many is unattainable is extremely unhealthy for our mental and physical wellbeing. The ‘National IPED Drug Survey ‘, authored by The Public Health Institute found that just over 56% of participants were said to be using steroids for “aesthetic reasons” followed closely by 45% who used for “non-competitive bodybuilding.” Mental Health Foundation released startling figures which identified that 1 in 5 UK adults had felt shame because of their body image within the last year. Research indicates that scrolling through hundreds of social media images increases body dissatisfaction and watching hours of image-focused reality TV may do the same.

Excessive social media use can not only cause unhappiness and a general dissatisfaction with life in users, but also increase the risk of developing mental health issues such as anxiety and depression. Constantly comparing oneself to others can lead to feelings of self-consciousness or a need for perfectionism and order, which often manifests itself into social anxiety disorder. In a 2017 study conducted by Harvard University, researchers found that social media has a significant detrimental effect on the emotional well-being of chronic users and their lives, negatively impacting their real-life relationships and academic achievement among those still in an educational setting. An estimated 27% of children who spend 3 or more hours a day on social media exhibit symptoms of poor mental health. 41% stated that social media platforms make them feel anxious, sad or depressed. A study performed by California State University found that individuals that visited any social media site at least 58 times per week were 3 times more likely to feel socially isolated and depressed compared to those who used social media fewer than 9 times per week. Those who had spent more time on social media had 2.2 times the risk of reporting eating and body image concerns, compared to their peers who spent less time on social media

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If you have a friend or relative who is living with addiction, you might be wondering how you can help. It's not always easy to make the decision to try to help someone who has an addiction, but your loved one will have a greater chance of overcoming addiction with your support. This article discusses some of the strategies you can use to help a friend or loved one who is struggling with an addiction. While every situation is unique, there are some general guidelines that can help:

Do

• Focus on building trust so they will be more likely to listen.
• Be honest and let them know how the addiction is affecting your life and your relationship with them.
• Respect their privacy while being supportive. You can't force them into quitting, but you can be a source of strength.

Don't

• Threaten. Giving ultimatums may lead them to hide the behavior.
• Criticize. This can contribute to shame and lessen their belief in their ability to quit.
• Expect immediate change. Recovery takes time and setbacks are bound to happen.
• Expect Difficulties

There are many reasons why it can be difficult to help someone you care about who has an addiction. Your loved one:

• May not agree they have a problem
• May not want to change what they are doing
• May fear consequences (e.g., losing their job or going to prison)
• May feel embarrassed and not want to discuss their addiction with you (or anyone else)
• May feel awkward about discussing their personal issues with a professional, such as a doctor or counselor
• May engage in their addiction as a way to avoid dealing with another problem (such as mental illness)

There is no fast and easy way to help a person with an addiction. Overcoming addiction requires a great deal of effort and support. If someone doesn't want to change their behavior, trying to persuade them to get help is unlikely to work. What you can do is take steps to help your loved one make changes in the long term. It's also important that you get the support you need to cope, too.

There are a number of different treatment options that can be effective, so it is important to consider the options. Think about which approach might be best suited to you and your loved one's needs and goals. Depending on the nature of the addiction, treatment might involve psychotherapy, medication, support groups, or a combination of all of these.

A few options include:

• Community Reinforcement and Family Training (CRAFT): CRAFT is an evidence-based method for helping families get help for addicted loved ones. It has replaced traditional interventions as the preferred method of helping people with addiction get the help they need, such as therapy.
• Medications: The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved a number of medications—including Vivitrol (naltrexone), Campral (acamprosate), and Suboxone (buprenorphine and naloxone)—that can be effective in the treatment of alcohol dependence and other substance use disorders.
• Cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT): Addiction therapy that utilizes CBT focuses on helping people understand how their thoughts and feelings influence their behaviors. It works by helping people change the thought and behavior patterns that contribute to addiction.
• Online therapy: Research suggests that online therapy can also be an effective treatment option for substance use disorders. Such programs often incorporate elements of CBT and motivational interviewing, which involves using structured conversations to help people think about how their life will improve by ending their addiction.
• Support groups: Twelve-step and peer support groups can also be helpful during the recovery process. The groups are aimed at promoting sobriety and may take a variety of approaches. Some may promote total abstinence, while others focus on moderation. Many of these may offer in-person meetings, but online support groups are also available.