Mental health is harmed
The impact of climate change will have far-reaching consequences on our overall health and happiness. While it is crucial to recognize the body’s vulnerability to extreme heat, the potential risks extend beyond this factor.
The frequency and severity of extreme weather events, such as floods, droughts, storms, and wildfires, are increasing. These events have various impacts on our mental well-being.
Dealing with the impacts of climate change can feel daunting. At times, individuals may find solace in turning to alcohol, tobacco, over-the-counter or prescription medications, and other substances that alter their state of mind. While this response is understandable, it is important to recognize the potential risks and detrimental effects associated with such coping mechanisms.
We present five potential scenarios in which climate change may heighten the likelihood of detrimental substance use.
Climate change is causing significant and worsening health effects, which are both urgent and serious, as stated by more than 120 researchers.
One potential connection between climate change and harmful substance use is through the negative impact it has on mental well-being. This heightened risk can subsequently lead to either the initiation or exacerbation of substance abuse.
Individuals who have a mental disorder face a greater likelihood of also experiencing a substance-use disorder. It is common for substance-use issues to occur before the onset of mental health difficulties. Furthermore, the rising occurrence and severity of extreme events due to climate change pose amplified threats to mental well-being.
Increased distress is associated with extreme heat throughout the entire population. In instances of extreme heat, a greater number of individuals seek psychiatric assistance at the emergency department, primarily for alcohol and substance use. Remarkably, this holds true even for a solitary day of intense heat.
During extreme weather events, it is common for individuals to experience post-traumatic stress disorder, depression, anxiety, and other mental health issues. These conditions may continue to affect people for a prolonged period, particularly if they are exposed to multiple events. As a result, there is an increased chance of turning to substances as a means of dealing with these challenges.
As the general public becomes more aware of the detrimental effects of climate change on overall welfare, concerns surrounding the potential consequences of its unmitigated continuation are growing.
Experiencing distress does not necessarily indicate the presence of a mental disorder. However, research indicates that climate change elicits a range of intricate emotional reactions, particularly in children. In addition to worry, individuals may feel anxious, fearful, guilty, angry, saddened, and powerless.
Long-term tobacco use has been found to be associated with certain emotional states, such as sadness, which in turn increase the likelihood of relapse in substance use.
Looking for solutions to combat the pressing issue of climate change, young individuals have identified seven “superpowers” to tackle the problem at hand.
Extreme weather events can lead to physical injuries like smoke inhalation, burns, and cuts from floods. These injuries can actually increase the likelihood of harmful substance use. One reason for this is that they can also lead to psychological distress. When injuries cause long-term illness or disability, it can make people feel hopeless and depressed, which may lead them to self-medicate with alcohol or drugs.
Engaging in substance use can lead to the development of lasting physical damage, disabilities, or ongoing health issues. These conditions are associated with increased instances of detrimental substance use.
Further information can be found at the following link: Australians are increasingly being admitted to hospitals due to extreme weather conditions, with heat being the primary cause.
Overnight, the lives of individuals can be completely shattered by a solitary disastrous incident like a severe storm or flood, causing them to adapt to a completely different way of living. Similarly, even the subtle alterations in climate and day-to-day weather can have a profound impact, interrupting established patterns and behaviors in a manner that increases the chances of engaging in detrimental substance use. For instance, relying on stimulants to combat exhaustion.
Consider hotter temperatures as an instance, which disturb sleep, weaken academic performance, decrease physical activity, and encourage the utilization of aggressive language and engagement in violent behavior.
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Ultimately, climate change is causing disturbances in the socioeconomic, natural, built, and geopolitical systems that are essential for human well-being and even survival.
The presence of destroyed infrastructure, agricultural damages, shut-down schools, homelessness, and displacement create considerable psychosocial strain, which can trigger short-term and long-term stress reactions.
Consequently, stress can elevate the likelihood of engaging in detrimental substance use and increase the chances of relapse.
Substance abuse disorders incur significant economic and social expenses. Additionally, engaging in risky substance use, even without meeting the diagnostic requirements, can have detrimental effects.
In addition to its immediate physical damage, the usage of harmful substances negatively impacts education and employment. It enhances the likelihood of accidents and criminal activities, and it weakens social connections, intimate relationships, and the functioning of families.
With the approaching COP28 global climate talks in Dubai, the spotlight will once again be on climate change. The awareness that climate change is negatively impacting human health and overall welfare is not lost on politicians. It is high time we demand their action.
Given our observations of entire populations, it is clear that climate change can lead to an increase in the consumption of harmful substances through various pathways. To effectively combat this issue, it is crucial to implement prevention strategies that encompass multiple dimensions. In addition to addressing climate change on a larger scale, it is essential to develop strategies that specifically tackle this issue.
Providing assistance to those who are most affected by extreme weather-related events, particularly young individuals and marginalized communities who are vulnerable.
Shifting the emphasis of health-related policies towards promoting health on a larger scale, such as encouraging healthier dietary choices, promoting active means of transportation, and supporting mental health initiatives led by communities.
To mitigate the adverse effects on mental health and substance abuse, it is crucial to allocate resources towards the development of climate-resilient infrastructure, specifically aimed at enhancing the heat resilience of buildings and promoting green spaces within urban areas. This proactive approach will help reduce the likelihood of further experiencing the destabilizing consequences and strain that are known to exacerbate mental health issues and harmful substance consumption.
At present, there is no feasible route to evade perilous climate change. Nevertheless, if one were to consider the mounting frequency of climate demonstrations, it suggests that humanity may be on the brink of embracing revolutionary measures, including the curbing of harmful substance consumption.