A co-occurring disorder (also known as dual diagnosis) is when a person has both a mental health issue and an addiction. It can be a combination of any mental illness and drug or alcohol addiction.

People with mental health problems are at a higher risk of developing a drug or alcohol problem. Sometimes, the drug or alcohol use is used to self-medicate the symptoms of mental illness.

Symptoms

In co-occurring disorders, a person suffers from both mental health and drug or alcohol addiction. People with co-occurring disorder need to be treated for both conditions, and they require a higher level of care than those who only suffer from one disorder.

Symptoms of co-occurring disorders can include changing eating habits, dropping hobbies and other activities that were once important, and spending more time with friends who use drugs or alcohol. Those with co-occurring disorders can also experience extreme emotional highs and lows, and they may participate in risky behaviors that put them at risk of physical harm or illnesses such as heart disease, liver damage, collapsed veins and brain damage.

There are many different combinations of co-occurring disorders, and they can involve any type of drug or alcohol addiction and any mental health condition. Some examples include anxiety and depression, bipolar disorder and alcohol abuse, or PTSD and meth addiction. People with PTSD are four times more likely to have a co-occurring substance abuse disorder than those who do not have PTSD.

Causes

Those with mental health conditions like depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder and post-traumatic stress disorder are at a higher risk of addiction. It’s not always easy to determine which condition came first, though.

A combination of genetic factors and environmental triggers play a role in the development of both co-occurring disorders and psychiatric illnesses. Imbalances in brain chemistry can also contribute to the onset of both disorders.

Many people who experience mental health disorders turn to drugs and alcohol as a way to self-medicate or cope with symptoms, leading to substance use disorders. It’s difficult to overcome a substance abuse problem without proper treatment of mental illness, so patients with co-occurring disorders often find recovery more challenging. Integrated care is the best way to address both mental illness and drug or alcohol addiction. This approach includes medication, behavioral therapy and family counseling. In some cases, people with a history of substance abuse may also need to address trauma or relationship issues that contributed to their addictive behaviors.

Treatment

The good news is that there are many treatments available for co-occurring disorders. These treatments can include psychotherapy, medication and lifestyle changes. It can also be helpful to find a treatment program that is specifically geared towards people with mental health conditions and co-occurring disorders.

This type of treatment is often called integrated treatment or dual diagnosis treatment. It focuses on treating both the mental health condition and the substance use disorder at the same time. This approach can lead to better treatment outcomes and improved quality of life.

When treating people with co-occurring disorders, it’s important to assess their mental state at the beginning of their care. This will help the clinician determine which disorders came first and what contributed to the development of both conditions. It can also help the clinician identify which disorder may respond to pharmacological intervention and which to psychotherapy. The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) has a behavioral health treatment locator to assist individuals in finding an integrated treatment provider for mental illness and co-occurring disorders.

Prevention

Despite their high prevalence, co-occurring disorders are often misdiagnosed and overlooked. This is due to a lack of integrated care and policies that prevent mental health from being treated alongside substance abuse.

People with co-occurring disorders are often in denial or ignore medical advice. They may also attempt to self-medicate with drugs or alcohol in an effort to ease their symptoms. However, this only exacerbates the mental illness and can make it harder to recover from either disorder.

Spotting the signs of a co-occurring disorder isn’t easy, since they vary from person to person. Some of the most common are a sudden change in behavior or an increase in social isolation. These symptoms can be caused by an imbalance of chemicals in the brain. However, the most important step to recovery is seeking help. A no-wrong-door approach to screening and treating co-occurring disorders is essential to reducing relapse rates and improving recovery outcomes. This can be done by integrating mental health and substance use treatment programs.