Samara

Through my work with the Addiction Education Society, I’ve seen how when educating adolescents about addiction, mental health must be included in the conversation, because the two are deeply connected. Understanding how mental health challenges can influence substance use and, vice versa, helps young people develop healthier coping strategies, recognize warning signs early, and reduce stigma.

According to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), nearly 40% of the population with addiction also have a mental illness. In short, whether the struggle with addiction comes first or the mental health component, the two can predispose the other. That’s why I’m starting this monthly blog: to explore the complex and very real intersection of mental health and addiction, with a special focus on adolescents. Each month, I’ll focus on a different theme, from dual-diagnoses, to how identity, inequality, and access shape the
path to healing. I plan to share my own discoveries through conversations with people with the disease of addiction, mental health professionals, and educators.

A little bit more about me…

I’ll start by saying I have not personally battled with the disease of addiction, and I’m not a psychologist with a degree that makes me an expert on mental health disorders. So as I embark on this monthly blog about the intersection of mental health and addiction, I will be learning alongside you.

My perspective comes from where I’m at right now as a twenty-one-year-old just beginning to navigate adulthood. I’ve seen the impact of addiction up close through family members. Simultaneously, in a world where mental health isn’t talked about enough, I had the unique experience of growing up with a mother who is a therapist and never shied away from the topic. Through these experiences – and drawing from my background and passion for sociology – I can bring a well-rounded lens, one that recognizes mental health and addiction not only as personal
struggles, but also as experiences shaped by the society we live in. Things like socioeconomic status, access to healthcare, cultural expectations, and social stigma all influence who gets help, how people cope, and what recovery looks like.

On a personal level, I’ve struggled with severe anxiety since childhood, and as I’ve grown older, that has evolved into different forms of both anxiety and depression. I believe we all face mental health challenges in one way or another. Our well-being is constantly affected by the ups and downs of life, regardless of being diagnosed with a mental health disorder or not. We are guaranteed to face challenges throughout our lifetime, and this is why the conversation around mental health is so crucial. Let’s normalize it.

My mental health is something that I will forever be working on as I search for more and more tools to control my anxiety and depression. Trying to understand these things – and find tools to help calm my nervous system – is no easy feat. Oftentimes, the “quick fixes” I rely on do help stop my spiraling in the moment, but don’t offer long-term relief. This is where drugs and alcohol can be dangerous substances to experiment with while experiencing a low in terms of mental health. I would also argue that this doesn’t only pertain to those with the addiction
“gene.”

We’ve all either heard someone say, during a moment of stress or sadness, “I could really use a drink.” It’s a casual remark, but it points to a deeper truth: using substances to cope with emotional pain can quickly become a slippery slope, regardless of genetic predisposition. What starts as a seemingly harmless way to dull discomfort can, over time, interfere with healthy coping mechanisms, exacerbate mental health struggles, and even set the stage for dependency.

That being said, this is just the beginning, and I don’t have all the answers, and I’m by no means an expert, but I do hope to create a space here for all of us. Whether you’re in recovery, supporting someone who is, or just curious, I hope you’ll check back in each month. This is a space to share, learn, and support one another, no matter where you’re coming from.

Thanks for being here, and stay tuned for next month’s post on dual diagnoses.

Samara – Advocate for AES 🙂