Taking a break from university life isn’t always as relaxing as it looks on our feeds.
Taking a break from university life isn’t always as relaxing as it looks on our feeds. When your normal routine stops, it is completely normal for your headspace and daily habits to shift. June 26th commemorates International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking. The global campaign focuses on drug problems, new challenges and innovative responses. At Cardiff Met SU, we believe that navigating your mental health should never be a solo journey. We teamed up with the experts at CAVDAS to answer the anonymous questions submitted earlier this week.
'Why do some drugs initially produce positive feelings but later impact mental health negatively?'
There is no way to guarantee whether a drug will have a positive or negative effect. It's important to consider not just the drug itself but also the environment that the person is in, as well as how the person is feeling both mentally and positively before using the drug. Being in a safe environment with safe people is always important when using any substance. Substances can increase the release of brain chemicals such as dopamine, which create feelings of pleasure, confidence, relaxation, or euphoria in the short term. Over time, the brain adapts to these increases by reducing its natural response. As a result, people may experience lower mood, increased stress, anxiety, irritability, or difficulty enjoying everyday activities without the substance. All substances trigger the rebound effect - where the body tries to rebalance itself by creating the opposite effects of the drugs someone has used - this is what will trigger a comedown for stimulant and empathogen drugs like cocaine and MDMA.
'How can long-term drug use contribute to conditions such as depression and anxiety?'
There is no guarantee that long-term drug use can contribute to anxiety and depression. Similarly to the previous question, it is very dependent on a lot of different factors that can be impacted by substance use. Substance use can cause changes to brain chemistry over time, which can increase the negative effects of the rebound effect. If people are using substance to self-medicate a mental health condition, they may experience temporary relief, but their symptoms can become worse after stopping use. The rebound effect will continue with long-term drug use - overtime the effects the body triggers to try and rebalance itself will become withdrawal symptoms which can have a major effect on mental health.
For dedicated external support, our website has everything you need. From direct contact details for CAVDAS to a completely private chat with DrugBot. Take care of your mind, look out for your friends, and stay safe.