People who abuse substances may already experience various psychological side-effects such as depression, paranoia and anxiety.

All of these side-effects have the ability to affect an individual’s mood, which may estrange them from the people they work or live with, despite it being the time when they need them the most.

Below we’ll explain to you how substance abuse can affect your mood.

When an individual uses drugs or alcohol with friends or family, they may begin to feel more social or ‘part of the group’, making the effects of the substance more pleasurable.

However, once substance abuse begins to turn into a full-blown addiction, the individual may begin to start drinking alone and may find that their drinking sessions will be more damaging to their mood than experiencing any pleasure at all.

Substance abuse may cause the person to become more temperamental when they are under the influence of drugs or alcohol.

While the user may become depressed or aggressive when under the influence of drugs or alcohol, when these narcotics aren’t in the bloodstream, there are other moods, such as hyperactivity, that may be experienced.

It’s very common for substance abusers who choose to get substance abuse treatment in a drug or alcohol rehabilitation centre to experience variable mood swings. However, it is the job of the staff in rehab to effectively treat and manage these mood swings.

Negative mood swings will happen more regularly the longer a substance abuser stays without drugs or alcohol. However, these feelings will usually begin to subside after approximately 2-4 weeks of sobriety.

When someone is in a bad mood, they will become more antisocial, which is one of the biggest warnings that a substance abuse problem could be present and its usually the people closest to the drug or alcohol user that will first begin to notice these changes.

Substance abusers will even begin to neglect hobbies and interests that were once important to them in order to continue and create more time for their bad habits.

Drugs and alcohol are mood changing substances that will always change how an individual thinks, feels and acts. If you noticed any of the signs mentioned above on you or a loved one, then it’s important to get help before things get worse.

We provide access into the best substance abuse centres in South Africa, the United Kingdom and Thailand. Call us now and let one of our qualified addiction counsellors assist in finding the right treatment available for you or your loved one.