Mood swings can disrupt daily life, strain relationships, and make it difficult to maintain a sense of stability. For individuals struggling with substance use, mood swings are a common yet often overlooked side effect of drug use. At Summit Helps in Princeton Junction, NJ, we work with individuals to address the root causes of mood instability, including the role drugs play in disrupting mental and emotional health.
In this blog, we’ll explore how drugs cause mood swings, the substances most commonly associated with this issue, and how treatment can help restore emotional balance.
How Drugs Impact Brain Chemistry
Drugs interfere with the brain’s natural chemical processes, particularly the balance of neurotransmitters like dopamine, serotonin, and norepinephrine. These chemicals regulate mood, emotions, and behavior. When drugs artificially stimulate or suppress neurotransmitter activity, they can create dramatic shifts in mood, leading to unpredictable emotional highs and lows.
For example:
- Dopamine: Many drugs, such as stimulants and opioids, flood the brain with dopamine, creating feelings of euphoria. However, when the effects wear off, dopamine levels plummet, leading to depression, irritability, and low energy.
- Serotonin: Drugs like MDMA (ecstasy) can temporarily increase serotonin levels, causing heightened emotions and positive feelings. After the drug wears off, serotonin depletion can result in anxiety, sadness, or emotional numbness.
- Norepinephrine: Substances like cocaine and methamphetamine overstimulate norepinephrine, causing heightened energy and excitability. When the effects fade, individuals may experience fatigue, restlessness, and mood swings.
Substances Commonly Linked to Mood Swings
While all drugs can impact mood, certain substances are particularly notorious for causing mood swings:
1. Stimulants
Drugs like cocaine, methamphetamine, and prescription amphetamines can cause extreme emotional highs followed by severe crashes. During the high, individuals may feel euphoric, confident, and energized. However, the comedown often brings irritability, anxiety, and depression.
2. Alcohol
Alcohol is a depressant that affects mood regulation. While it may temporarily boost confidence or reduce inhibitions, prolonged or excessive use can lead to emotional instability, depression, and increased irritability.
3. Opioids
Prescription painkillers and illicit opioids like heroin can create intense feelings of relaxation and euphoria. Over time, however, opioid use can disrupt natural mood regulation, leading to apathy, depression, and mood swings.
4. Cannabis
While often considered a mild substance, heavy cannabis use can contribute to mood swings, particularly in individuals predisposed to anxiety or depression. Regular use can also dull emotional responses, making it harder to manage stress.
The Psychological Toll of Mood Swings
Mood swings caused by drug use aren’t just frustrating—they can have a profound impact on mental health and relationships. The unpredictability of emotions can lead to:
- Strained interpersonal connections
- Difficulty maintaining work or school responsibilities
- Increased feelings of isolation and hopelessness
Over time, these mood swings can create a vicious cycle, where individuals turn to drugs to “self-medicate” emotional instability, further exacerbating the problem.
How Treatment Can Help
At Summit Helps, we specialize in addressing both the physical and emotional effects of substance use. Through personalized treatment plans, we help individuals break free from the cycle of mood swings and regain emotional stability. Our approach includes:
- Medical Detox: To safely manage withdrawal symptoms and reset the body’s natural balance.
- Therapy: Individual and group counseling to address the root causes of substance use and develop healthy coping mechanisms.
- Education: Understanding the impact of drugs on brain chemistry and learning how to manage mood without substances.
Drugs disrupt brain chemistry in ways that lead to mood swings, creating instability and emotional strain. If you or someone you love is struggling with the effects of substance use, know that help is available. At Summit Helps in Princeton Junction, NJ, we’re here to provide the care and support needed to restore balance and well-being.
