How climate change increases cases of substance abuse

Increased drug hospitalizations could be related to the heat

Man silhouette with alcohol bottles.
Mental health struggles have been on the rise, in part thanks to climate change
(Image credit: axelbueckert / Getty Images)

Climate change has caused temperatures to rise globally, prompting several environmental and health consequences. For instance, warmer temperatures have led to an increase in extreme weather, a growing risk of wildfires, and a rise in ocean temperatures. Evidence has also found that climate change can lead to a higher risk of dementia and other mental and behavioral problems. Now, experts have found that an increase in substance abuse could also be linked to climate change because of the extreme heat and stress associated with it.

How does climate change lead to substance abuse?

Subscribe to The Week

Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.

SUBSCRIBE & SAVE
https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/flexiimages/jacafc5zvs1692883516.jpg

Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters

From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.

From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.

Sign up
Devika Rao, The Week US

 Devika Rao has worked as a staff writer at The Week since 2022, covering science, the environment, climate and business. She previously worked as a policy associate for a nonprofit organization advocating for environmental action from a business perspective.