World Mental Health Day- How Addiction and Mental Health Are Linked: Nasha Mukti Kendra in Haryana

Each year on 10 October, World Mental Health Day asks people to talk about mental health and to listen to those who live with it. Conversations about drinking and drug use often sit just outside that picture, even though the two are closely connected.

If someone in your family is struggling with substance use, it helps to ask what else may be going on. This article explains the link in simple words and what to look for when choosing a Nasha Mukti Kendra in Haryana . It is general information and cannot replace a doctor’s assessment.

How common is the overlap?

Substance use disorder means a pattern of use that a person cannot control and that harms their life. Mental health conditions include depression, anxiety, trauma-related problems and others.

The National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) reports that national population surveys found that about half of those who experience a mental illness will also experience a substance use disorder, and the reverse is also true. These surveys are mainly from the United States, so the exact rates in India may differ. The pattern, though, is well known to doctors.

Why do the two go together?

There is no single cause. NIDA describes three main pathways: 

1. Shared risk factors. Stress, trauma, difficult family conditions and genetics can raise the risk of both.

2. Mental illness leading to substance use. A person may use alcohol or drugs to ease low mood, fear or poor sleep. Relief is short-lived, and the problem often returns stronger.

3. Substance use leading to mental illness. Long-term use can change mood, sleep and thinking, and may bring on or worsen symptoms.

NIDA also notes that it can be hard to tell which problem came first. That is why blame does not help. What matters is understanding the whole picture.

An example of how it can look (not a real case)

Imagine a woman who loses her job and begins to feel hopeless. She starts drinking in the evenings to switch off her thoughts and fall asleep. Within weeks she wakes at 3 a.m., her mood drops further, and she drinks more to cope. Alcohol slows the brain and can worsen low mood over time, so it feeds the very problem she was trying to ease. This is only an illustration of how the cycle can build.

Signs that deserve a professional look

These signs may suggest that a mental health condition and substance use are overlapping:

• low mood, constant worry or irritability that do not lift

• sleep changes, such as waking very early or sleeping far too much

• drinking or using mainly to cope with feelings

• withdrawing from family and things the person once enjoyed

• strong mood swings, or unusual fear or suspicion

• talk of feeling worthless or being a burden

None of these confirms a diagnosis. A qualified psychiatrist or doctor can assess them.

If a person talks about ending their life, or is in immediate danger, get emergency medical help immediately and stay with them until help arrives.

Why treating only one problem can fall short

If a centre treats only the substance use and ignores depression, the low mood may continue, and cravings may return. If only the mental health condition is treated, ongoing drinking or drug use can keep symptoms alive.

NIDA says the high overlap highlights the need for an integrated approach that checks for and evaluates each disorder at the same time. It also advises that it may help to observe people after a period of abstinence to tell the effects of intoxication or withdrawal apart from symptoms of a separate mental disorder. In plain terms, a doctor may need some time to see which symptoms are caused by the substance and which are not. 

This is also why people should not stop alcohol or some drugs suddenly on their own. Withdrawal can be dangerous and needs medical guidance.

Stigma gets in the way

Many families delay help because of shame. They may fear being judged for either problem, and so they hide both. World Mental Health Day exists partly to make speaking up easier. Listening without blame is a good first step. A calm “I’ve noticed you seem low, and I’m worried about you” often works better than a lecture.

What to ask when choosing a Nasha Mukti Kendra in Haryana

If you are comparing places, these questions help you check whether mental health is part of the care:

1. Is there a psychiatrist or qualified doctor who assesses each patient?

2. Will my relative be screened for depression, anxiety or trauma, as well as substance use?

3. Is counselling offered, and does it cover emotions and stress?

4. What happens if a mental health condition is found? Look for a clear plan, not a vague answer.

5. Are families kept informed and involved?

6. Is the centre registered or recognised? Ask to see the documents and check them with the authorities.

7. What support continues after discharge?

8. What is the full cost? Get it in writing.

Be careful with any Nasha Mukti Kendra in Haryana that promises a quick cure or guaranteed results. Recovery varies from person to person, and honest providers do not promise outcomes.

How families can help

• Listen first. Ask open questions and let the person speak.

• Keep routines steady. Regular meals, sleep and gentle activity support both mood and recovery.

• Avoid shame and ultimatums. They often push people to hide.

• Support professional care. Offer to go with them to a doctor or counsellor.

• Look after yourself. Families under strain also benefit from advice and support.

Common questions

Does using alcohol or drugs mean someone has a mental illness?
Not necessarily. They can occur together, but each person is different. Only a qualified professional can assess this.

Can a Nasha Mukti Kendra in Haryana treat both problems?
It depends on the centre. Ask directly about psychiatric assessment and counselling, and how they work together.

Will treating the mental health condition make the craving go away?
Not on its own. Substance use usually needs its own treatment, alongside care for mood and anxiety.

A calm next step

Mental health and addiction are best understood together, not as separate problems. If you are worried about someone, start with a gentle conversation, write down what you have noticed, and speak to a doctor or psychiatrist.

You can also contact Rehab Center India to ask about support options and what to expect. There is no pressure to decide quickly. Asking for information is a reasonable first step, whether you are looking at a Nasha Mukti Kendra in Haryana or elsewhere.