Health Consequences of Drug Misuse

Mental Health Effects

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Chronic use of some drugs can lead to both short- and long-term changes in the brain, which can
lead to mental health issues including paranoia, depression, anxiety, aggression, hallucinations,
and other problems. 

Many people who are addicted to drugs are also diagnosed with other mental disorders and vice
versa. Compared with the general population, people addicted to drugs are roughly twice as
likely to suffer from mood and anxiety disorders, with the reverse also true. In 2015, an
estimated 43.4 million (17.9 percent) adults ages 18 and older experienced some form of mental
illness (other than a developmental or substance use disorder). Of these, 8.1 million had both a
substance use disorder and another mental illness.1 Although substance use disorders commonly
occur with other mental illnesses, it’s often unclear whether one helped cause the other or if
common underlying risk factors contribute to both disorders.

Learn more about substance use and general co-occuring mental health disorders.

Drugs that can cause mental health problems:

 Cocaine
 Inhalants
 Ketamine
  Kratom
 LSD
 Marijuana
 MDMA
 Methamphetamine
 PCP
 Prescription Drugs
 Steroids (appearance- and performance-enhancing drugs)
1
SAMHSA, Center for Behavioral Health Statistics and Quality, National Survey on Drug Use
and Health, 2014 and 2015.