Narcotics Can Aggravate Mental Disorders

Narcotics can cause irreversible damage on the brain particularly for

those who are already suffering from certain mental illnesses. This is
according to Dr. Stephane Potvin from the Centre de Recherche Fernand
Seguin, an affiliate of the Universite de Montreal at the Louis-H
Lafontaine Hospital.

Dr. Potvin’s research found that, “some 33 to 50 percent of

psychiatric patients also suffer from drug addiction.” The study
further proves that drug use can cause the brain’s cerebral structures to
deteriorate thereby aggravating the mental illness. The findings of Dr.
Potvin’s research are set to be presented at a conference that is going to
be held at the Louise-H Lafontaine Hospital within the week.

According to the findings of his study, patients who are suffering from
certain mental illnesses such as schizophrenia appear to be more
sensitive to drugs and their effects on the brain. “They become
dependent more quickly and they tend to abuse drugs more easily. It is
evident that drug use can worsen the symptoms of mental disease,” says
Dr. Potvin. He adds that drug use becomes a risk factor for these mental
disorders to manifest themselves. There is a higher possibility of the
development or the illness when the individual abuses drugs or increases
his drug use.

Aside from the inherent effects of drug use on mentally ill patients, Dr.
Potvin also expressed his interest in the kind of support that these
patients are getting in terms of treatment for drug dependence and
mental illnesses. He pointed out that both disorders have different
requirements. Detoxification centers that are designed to address drug
abuse employ a different treatment approach compared to facilities that
are designed to address mental illnesses.

Dr. Potvin and his colleagues are set to propose that an integrated
treatment for drug abuse and mental diseases be developed in order to
address the substantial impact of narcotics on a patient diagnosed with a
mental illness beforehand.

His study will offer a whole new recommendation for developing a

more sustainable treatment for co-occurring disorders. For more
information on this study and other related research, browse further into
this website. Here at Pacific Hills Treatment Centers, we specialize in
both traditional and Christ-centered approaches to drug recovery. We
are an alcohol and drug rehab facility that is staffed by a team of
healthcare professionals who are also trained to handle co-occurring and
dual diagnosis disorders.