Many people struggle with both mental health and addiction at the same time. Having co-occurring disorders increases the risk of symptomatic relapses, hospitalizations, family problems, social isolation, homelessness, physical and sexual victimization, and incarceration.

Having a mental illness and drug or alcohol addiction is often called co-occurring disorders or dual diagnosis. However, these terms aren’t accurate.

What is a Co-Occurring Disorder?

Co-occurring disorders are a combination of mental health conditions and substance use disorders. They occur in the same person at the same time, impact similar areas of the brain and often interact with each other to make symptoms worse.

A mental health condition like anxiety or depression can trigger an addiction to alcohol or drugs. In some cases, people who have a mental health disorder may start using drugs or alcohol to relieve their symptoms or to self-medicate, which can lead to the development of an additional disorder and further exacerbate existing symptoms.

A co-occurring diagnosis can be challenging for a loved one to deal with, especially if they are not being treated for both conditions. It’s hard for a family member to know if the underlying condition is the cause of their drug or alcohol use. It’s also difficult to determine which disorder came first. Often, it’s a combination of genetic, environmental and lifestyle factors that contribute to developing both conditions.

What Causes a Co-Occurring Disorder?

Co-occurring Disorders (also known as dual diagnosis or comorbid disorders) refer to the presence of a mental health issue and a substance or behavioural addiction simultaneously. These two conditions must be treated simultaneously, preferably in long-term residential care. The combination of mental health issues and addiction can lead to increased risk of hospitalization, social isolation, victimization, incarceration and drug overdose. Addiction and mood disorders are related to chemical changes in the brain, which affect your thoughts and emotions. These disorders can also be genetic, but life experiences and other factors can contribute to the development of a mental health disorder.

Millions of people in the United States suffer from a mental health condition, and millions have an alcohol or drug use problem. It’s common for a person with a mental health issue like anxiety or depression to turn to drugs or alcohol in an attempt to self-medicate. A person with a mental health disorder can become more susceptible to developing an addiction due to genetics and other risk factors.

What are the Symptoms of a Co-Occurring Disorder?

Many people who have a mental health disorder struggle with alcohol or drug misuse. When a person has a co-occurring disorder, the two conditions influence each other and can make symptoms worse. The fifth edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM) has improved how these disorders are treated and refers to them as co-occurring instead of dual diagnosis or dual disorder.

Mental health disorders with a comorbid substance use disorder often include mood disorders, such as depression or bipolar disorder. They can also include anxiety disorders, such as panic disorder or post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Some people have eating disorders, such as anorexia nervosa or bulimia nervosa, and struggle with co-occurring mood or anxiety disorders.

Mood disorders can exacerbate symptoms of certain drugs, such as stimulants or depressants. This is why it is common for a person who has an addiction to these substances to have a mental health condition, such as PTSD or depression.

What are the Treatment Options for a Co-Occurring Disorder?

For people who have a co-occurring disorder, treatment options may be limited or difficult to find. In 2018, the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration reports that 9.2 million adults had both a mental health condition and a substance use disorder at the same time, also known as a dual diagnosis.

It’s important to seek integrated treatment that addresses both conditions at the same time. Without such treatment, a person with a mental health condition and addiction will continue to self-medicate and their symptoms of both disorders will likely exacerbate one another.

Fortunately, there are rehab centres that provide treatment for co-occurring disorders. These facilities offer integrated residential treatment programs that include a team of physicians and addiction recovery specialists who are educated and trained in both mental health care and drug abuse recovery. They utilize an individualized approach that involves comprehensive assessments, individual therapy, group therapy and medication management to achieve better outcomes for those who are struggling with both conditions.