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Who is this booklet for and what does it do?
• This booklet has been written for people who use alcohol, tobacco or other drugs
who are experiencing extreme moods, like feeling really ‘down’ or depressed,
or really ‘up’ or elated.
• It aims to:
—Help explain why some people feel the way they do.
—Give suggestions about things people can do to help manage their mood
and substance use.
What is mood?
• Mood refers to a person’s emotional state such as
feeling sad, happy, angry, or excited.
• Most people experience these emotions at different
times. For some people, however, these emotions can
be extreme or more long-lasting.
• Extreme moods can become a problem if they start to
get in the way of daily life — that is, when they interfere
with work, study, or responsibilities around the home,
or when they have a negative impact on relationships
with workmates, family or friends.
• If a person experiences extreme moods that are affecting
their daily life, they may have a mood disorder.
What are mood disorders?
There are two main types of mood disorders:
1. Depression
2. Bipolar disorder