How To Recognise Mood Swings As An Addiction Symptom

What are mood swings?

Mood swings refer to rapid and often unpredictable changes in a person’s emotional state. These can range from extreme happiness to intense sadness or irritability and can occur over a matter of hours or days. While it’s common for people to experience variations in mood due to circumstances or events in their lives, mood swings can sometimes be more extreme and less predictable than typical emotional responses.

What causes someone to experience mood swings?

Mood swings can arise from a variety of sources, both psychological and physiological, impacting emotional states and causing fluctuations in a person’s mood over a short period of time. Some common causes include:

• Mental health disorders: Conditions like bipolar disorder, depression and anxiety disorders can lead to significant mood swings, ranging from highs (mania or hypomania) to lows (depression).
• Hormonal changes: Fluctuations in hormones, which can occur due to puberty, menstruation, pregnancy or menopause, can affect mood, Conditions like thyroid disorders, which disrupt hormone balance, can also cause mood swings.
• Substance use: Alcohol, drugs and even caffeine or nicotine can affect mood significantly. Detoxing from these substances can also cause mood fluctuations.
• stress and lifestyle factors: High levels of stress, lack of sleep, poor diet and lack of exercise can contribute to mood instability. Significant life changes or stressful events can also trigger mood swings.
• Medications: Some medications can cause mood swings as a side effect. This includes prescription medications for conditions unrelated to mental health, such as high blood pressure or allergies.

What types of mood swings are observed in those with addictions?

Mood swings in people with addictions can be quite varied and complex. They’re often influenced by the substance itself or the behaviour to which they are addicted. It could also be due to the stages of their addiction and individual psychological factors. Here are some common types of mood swings observed in those with addictions:

Euphoria and overconfidence

This is often observed during substance use or immediately after engaging in addictive behaviour. People may feel and display behaviours like extreme happiness, overconfidence or unusual energy. This mood can be especially pronounced in addictions to stimulants like cocaine or amphetamines.

Anger

As the effects of substances wear off or when a person is unable to engage in the addictive behaviour, they may become irritable or easily angered. They may also feel anger due to the behaviours they’re engaging in. For example, someone with a gambling addiction may be angry that they lost money they couldn’t afford.

Anxiety

Many of those with addictions experience heightened anxiety or panic attacks as part of their addiction cycle. This can occur both in anticipation of using a substance or behaviour to cope with stress and during withdrawal and detox periods. Anxiety is especially common in addictions to alcohol, benzodiazepines and opioids.

Psychosis

In severe cases, especially with prolonged use of substances like methamphetamine or in cases of severe alcoholism, individuals may experience psychotic symptoms such as hallucinations or delusions. These symptoms can lead to erratic or dangerous behaviour.

Why does the withdrawal stage cause mood swings?

The addiction detox stage of drug addiction, whether planned or not, can be a very challenging experience. Many are unaware of the withdrawal symptoms that the body and brain undergo, leaving them unprepared for the whirlwind of physical and mental challenges it presents. So, what exactly happens during this stage?

One of the main reasons mood swings occur is due to the effect it has on the ‘feel-good’ chemicals in your brain, known as dopamine. Many substances interfere with the brain’s production of dopamine, which is closely associated with feelings of pleasure. Without these substances, the brain finds itself suddenly deprived of dopamine, leading to feelings of sadness or nervousness. This adjustment period, where the brain has to recalibrate to the absence of these artificial highs, can cause moods to fluctuate unpredictably.

Another main reason is the physical symptoms that come with quitting certain substances. Symptoms such as aches, sickness, shaking or even seizures can be physically distressing, which in turn can lead to a whole host of different emotions.

Moreover, the mental aspect plays a significant role as well. People often use substances or specific behaviours as a coping mechanism to deal with stress or underlying mental health issues. Once this crutch is removed, those unaddressed issues can resurface, leading to emotional turbulence.

How can I help my loved one who’s experiencing mood swings because of addiction?

Watching your loved one go through emotional mood swings is a heartbreaking process, but it can be addressed with the right approach and care.

The first thing to be done is to determine whether your loved one is experiencing these mood swings due to an addiction. As previously stated, mood swings can occur for various reasons, meaning that ruling out other causes is crucial. This can be discussed with a GP.

If, after this stage, it’s determined that your loved one’s mood swings are due to addiction, it’s crucial to take action as soon as possible to get them the help they need. Below are tips and advice on how you can handle the situation.

Understand the situation

Supporting someone through addiction begins with a deep understanding of what they’re going through. It’s about taking the time to educate yourself on addiction and its effects on mental health and behaviour. When you learn that mood swings are often a symptom of addiction, it allows you to approach your loved one with a more compassionate heart, seeing these moments as part of their struggle rather than personal affronts.

Yet, amidst this, it’s crucial to remember that your ability to help has its limits. You can offer your support, a listening ear and a shoulder to lean on, but the journey to seek help and embrace recovery is one they must decide to take on their own. Acknowledging this helps you provide the kind of support that respects their autonomy and ensures you’re caring for yourself in the process.

Safety first

Putting safety first is paramount when dealing with the unpredictable nature of addiction. Mood swings, a common occurrence, can unexpectedly escalate into dangerous behaviour. It’s essential to be prepared for such moments by having an emergency plan in place, which includes recognising when it’s time to call for professional help. Above all, your safety and those around you must be the priority if a situation ever becomes threatening or violent. Remember, stepping away from the situation and seeking assistance is perfectly okay.

Transition to rehab

Transitioning to rehab is a significant step and approaching it with openness and understanding can make all the difference. Start by discussing rehab in a way that feels inviting rather than confrontational. Highlighting the benefits of rehab and sharing inspiring stories of recovery can help demystify the process and make the idea of seeking help feel more positive.

If your loved one shows openness to the idea, involving them in the planning is crucial. Working together to choose a facility not only empowers them but also creates a sense of ownership over their recovery journey. It’s a collaborative effort that can strengthen their commitment to the process.

What’s next?

Facing addiction can feel isolating, but remember, you’re not alone. Inpatient rehab provides a supportive environment for addiction detox, including alcohol detox and drug detox, helping you understand and manage your addiction as well as your mood swings. Embrace the opportunity for change and healing. Help is available and just a click or a phone call away.