5 Mental Health Conditions That Commonly Co-Occur With Addiction
Most Common Co-Occurring Disorders in Addiction
Several common mental health conditions are often present in addiction cases when it comes to co-occurring disorders and substance. The top five most common mental health disorders that often occur in conjunction with drug or alcohol addiction are:
- Bipolar Disorder
- Clinical Depression
- Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
- Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)
- Anxiety/Mood Disorders
These common co-occurring disorders require dual diagnosis treatment to manage and cope, as determining the driving force behind the addiction sets a solid foundation for recovery. If an individual is struggling with an underlying disorder as well as an addiction and only the addiction is being treated, that means only half of the problem is being dealt with. When both the addiction and the mental health disorder are being treated, the individual will have every opportunity to succeed in recovery.
What Is a Co-Occurring Disorder?
When considering substance abuse, co-occurring disorders are mental health conditions at the root cause of addiction. It is a medical condition that is present with another disease, such as the disease of addiction. Often, the co-occurring disorder is exacerbated by substance abuse or addiction, adding insult to injury. As a means to cope with the mental health condition symptoms, many individuals turn to substances of abuse to suppress what they are feeling.
Why Do Mental Health Conditions and Substance Abuse Co-Occur?
Whether they are mental and physical, the side effects and symptoms of a mental health disorder can be challenging to live with. In turn, individuals struggling with it often turn to abuse substances to cope and suppress these feelings. It’s difficult to pinpoint if one condition causes the other condition and vice versa. These individuals begin to self-medicate to mitigate the side effects of either disorder, leading to a drug or alcohol addiction. Research is continuous and ongoing, and it is still unsure as to the causal relationship between the two.
Common Co-Occurring Disorders
Several mental health disorders are more common in those struggling with addiction than those who do not deal with a substance abuse problem. The three most common co-occurring disorders are:
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
Many veterans who have returned home from deployment struggle with PTSD. When individuals struggle with this disorder, they get flashbacks and uncontrollable spiraling thoughts that can take a devastating toll on the individual’s ability to function normally.
Anxiety Disorder
Anxiety and mood disorders can be extremely debilitating in nature and can affect an individual’s ability to live life to their full potential. When individuals have severe anxiety problems, they may become isolated and withdrawn and have trouble sticking to a daily routine.
Bipolar Disorder
Bipolar disorder affects nearly 2.3 million individuals across the U.S. and many individuals who deal with this disorder struggle with comorbidity as well. For those who battle this disorder, medication-assisted treatment (MAT) in conjunction with therapy and counseling is often the most effective form of therapy.
Treatment for Addiction and Co-Occurring Disorders at WhiteSands
For those struggling with both an underlying co-occurring disorder and an addiction, WhiteSands Alcohol and Drug Rehab offers dual diagnosis treatment. During treatment, patients will work one-on-one with their primary therapist to uncover, treat, and manage their disorder. Once the driving force behind the addiction is determined, a solid framework for recovery will follow. The individual must be stabilized mentally and physically as this will give them every opportunity to succeed in long-lasting recovery. The sooner you call for help, the quicker you can regain control of your life, so pick up the phone and call us today or visit any of our Florida locations.
If you or a loved one needs help with abuse and/or treatment, please call the WhiteSands Treatment at (877) 855-3470. Our addiction specialists can assess your recovery needs and help you get the addiction treatment that provides the best chance for your long-term recovery.
About the Author
Jackie has been involved in the substance abuse and addiction treatment sector for over five years and this is something that she is truly eager about. She has a passion for writing and continuously works to create informative pieces that not only educate and inform the public about the disease of addiction but also provide solutions for those who struggle with drug and alcohol abuse.