Recreational Drugs and Mental Wellbeing, What’s the Connection?
Deciding that you want something to change is useful even if you do not yet know exactly what the end goal should be.
Deciding that you want something to change is useful even if you do not yet know exactly what the end goal should be.
You might want to stop completely. You might want to reduce harm first. You may simply want to understand why repeated attempts to change have not lasted.
Drug treatment is not one standard programme. The appropriate approach depends on the substance, pattern of use, dependence, physical and mental health and what you want to achieve.
You can contact treatment directly
You can start with a GP, but local drug-treatment services can often be contacted directly.
At an initial assessment, NICE says professionals should ask about drug use, physical and mental health, relationships, employment, previous treatment and what helped. Your treatment goals and preferences should form part of the plan.
Treatment differs between drugs
There is no universal “detox” for every drug.
For opioid dependence, medicines such as methadone or buprenorphine can form an important part of treatment and medically managed detoxification may be appropriate for some people.
For stimulant drugs such as cocaine and for cannabis, psychosocial approaches are central. The treatment offered should reflect the drug and your circumstances rather than copying a plan designed for another substance.
Support can be practical as well as therapeutic
Drug use can become entangled with housing, debt, work, family relationships and physical health.
NICE quality standards say people in drug treatment should be offered support that promotes recovery and reintegration, including housing, education, employment, personal finance, healthcare and mutual aid.
Those practical areas are not distractions from recovery. They can be part of making recovery sustainable.
What if I am not ready to promise abstinence
Tell the service honestly.
NICE guidance says people should be given information about abstinence-oriented, maintenance-oriented and harm-reduction interventions so they can make informed decisions.
You can discuss your goals rather than saying what you think a professional wants to hear.
What about mental-health treatment
Anxiety, depression, trauma and other mental-health difficulties may exist alongside drug use.
NICE recommends appropriate psychological treatment for coexisting anxiety or depression in people who misuse stimulants or cannabis, depending on the circumstances.
Make sure both your drug use and mental health are known to the professionals involved rather than assuming one service will automatically know about the other.
Do not copy somebody else’s withdrawal plan
Withdrawal risks vary substantially between drugs, medicines, patterns of use and individual health.
If you believe you are dependent, use several substances, take prescribed medicines as well, or have previously become unwell when stopping, seek professional advice before attempting a detoxification plan.
A safe plan should be based on your own assessment.
Last reviewed
6 September 2026
Important informationThis guide provides general information only and is not medical advice, a diagnosis or a substitute for professional healthcare or drug-treatment advice. Street drugs can vary in strength and content, and risks can change when substances are mixed with alcohol, medicines or other drugs. If you are worried about your drug use, withdrawal, physical health or mental health, seek advice from a GP, local drug-treatment service or another appropriately qualified healthcare professional.