5 reasons why climate change may see more of us turn to alcohol and other drugs

illuminem summarizes for you the essential news of the day. Read the full piece on The Conversation or enjoy below:

🗞️ Driving the news: The increasing frequency and severity of extreme weather events may be contributing to higher substance use
• This article provides five reasons for this link: harm to mental health, increase in worry, the increase probability of physical injury, change in day-to-day life, and the destabilization of communities

🔭 The context: Climate change has been demonstrated to affect every aspect of human health, both mental and physical
• Extreme weather events, in particular, can take a toll on our wellbeing and lead people to turn to drastic measures to cope with their effects

🌍 Why it matters for the planet: The intersection of climate change, mental health, and substance use presents a complex public health challenge
• Addressing these issues is vital for building resilient communities and ensuring sustainable health outcomes in a changing climate

⏭️ What's next: Understanding these dynamics is crucial for developing effective strategies to mitigate the mental health impacts of climate change and prevent substance abuse

💬 One quote: "Post-traumatic stress disorder, depression, anxiety and other mental health problems are common at the time of extreme weather events and can persist for months, even years afterwards." (Helen Louise Berry, Professor at Macquarie University)

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