Psychological Outcomes Associated With Substance Abuse

The abuse of substances, most commonly alcohol and drugs, can have harmful effects on a person's psychological well-being and mental health. Continual substance abuse can cause many negative psychological outcomes, including paranoia, depression, violent and erratic behavior and hallucinations.

Paranoia

• Some drugs, such as methamphetamine, marijuana and hallucinogens, when abused can cause a person to develop paranoia. Frequent high doses of some of these drugs, especially stimulants like hallucinogenic amphetamines and cocaine can cause a person to believe other people are intent on harming him.

Depression

• The abuse of certain substances can cause a person to develop depression. She may lose interest in work, family and friends. Regular abuse of hallucinogens, such as LSD, and stimulants like cocaine, increases the psychological risk of depression and anxiety. A person who is already depressed or anxious is more likely to suffer from depression.

Violent and Erratic Behavior

• Substance abuse can cause a person to display violent and erratic behavior. Regular abuse of hallucinogenic drugs can cause unpredictable, erratic and violent actions that can lead to serious injury or, in extreme circumstances, even death. Abuse of alcohol can lower a person's inhibitions and encourage him to express his inner feelings, which may be aggression and frustration shown through violence. The paranoia associated with the abuse of cocaine can also cause violent behavior.

Hallucinations

• Experiencing hallucinations is a psychological outcome often associated with substance abuse. Certain drugs, such as LSD and marijuana, when abused frequently can distort a person's perceptions of the world and cause hallucinations that can disconnect someone from not only the rest of the world but also herself. Regular abuse of cocaine can, in some cases, cause a person to experience "coke bugs," which is the sensation of imaginary bugs crawling over the skin.