Unfortunately, mental health problems often lead to drug use or engagement in other risky behavior like manufacturing or delivering drugs. This could result in a drug crime charge and a prison sentence.
Mental Health Problems and Drug Crimes
If you have a mental health issue, you may use alcohol or drugs to self-medicate—more than one in four adults with a mental health problem has a substance abuse problem as well.
Substance abuse problems occur more frequently when mental health conditions like depression, schizophrenia, and personality or anxiety disorders are present. If you are using drugs, your judgment could be impaired, and you may start delivering or manufacturing controlled substances to support your personal use. This could result in being arrested, convicted and being required to serve time in jail and pay expensive fines.
Getting Help for Mental Health Problems and Addiction
Controlled substances can be highly addictive, especially if you’re using heroin, pain medications, methamphetamine, or cocaine. Before your addiction and mental health issues spiral out of control, and you end up in prison, you can get help.
You can call SAMHSA’s National Helpline at 1-800-662-HELP (4357), which provides free information and treatment referral to individuals and families struggling with mental health and/or substance abuse issues. You can also go to a psychotherapist, psychiatrist, and/or a rehabilitation center to get on the road to recovery.
Contact Pendleton Law for Help
If you have been charged with a drug crime in Oregon, contact Pendleton Law, LLC at 541-201-8626 for help. We will put our decades of combined experience to provide you with aggressive legal representation.
