Dual Diagnosis: Substance Abuse & Mental Health I Crescent Moon Rehab Center

Crescent Moon Rehab Center - Outpatient IOP Program

Dual Diagnosis: Substance Abuse & Mental Health :

The relationship between substance abuse, mental health and addiction

A co-occurring diagnosis is when you have a combination of a substance abuse problem and mental health issues like depression, bipolar disorder, anxiety. It is not easy to deal with drug addiction, alcoholism, or substance abuse.

Co-occurring disorders are when both the mental illness and the drug addiction cause problems. These symptoms can affect your ability to work, school, socialize, manage life's challenges, and to relate to others. The co-occurring disorders can also impact each other, making the situation even more complicated. If a mental illness is not treated, substance abuse problems can often get worse. Mental health problems often worsen when there is more alcohol and drug abuse.

More people are aware of co-occurring mental health problems and substance abuse issues.

According to the Journal of the American Medical Association, about 50 percent of people with severe mental disorders are affected or afflicted by substance abuse.

37% of those who abuse alcohol and 53% of drug users have at least one severe mental illness.

29 percent of people who are diagnosed with mental illness abuse drugs or alcohol.

Although substance abuse and mental health problems don't get any better if they're not addressed, they can get worse. There are ways you can overcome your demons and restore your relationships to get on the path to recovery. You can overcome co-occurring disorders, regain your self-esteem, and get your life on track with the right support and self-help.

Which comes first: Substance abuse, or mental health problems?

Although substance abuse and mental disorders like depression and anxiety are often linked, one is not necessarily the cause of the other. Long-term psychotic reactions can be caused by long-term use of drugs like marijuana and methamphetamine, while drinking alcohol can worsen anxiety symptoms.

Many people use drugs and alcohol to treat their mental health issues. Many people abuse drugs or alcohol to manage symptoms of undiagnosed mental disorders, cope with difficult emotions or temporarily change their mood. Self-medicating using drugs or alcohol can have side effects that often lead to worsening of the original symptoms.

The risk of developing mental disorders can be increased by alcohol and drug abuse. Mental health issues are complicated and influenced by genetics, environment, and many other factors. It's hard to know if substance abuse directly causes them. If you have a mental disorder, you may be at greater risk by using alcohol or other drugs. There is evidence to suggest that people who use opioid painkillers are more likely to develop depression. Heavy cannabis use has also been linked with schizophrenia.

Addiction to alcohol or drugs can worsen symptoms of mental illness. Substance abuse can increase the severity of mental illness symptoms or cause new symptoms. The abuse of alcohol and drugs can also cause side effects in medications like antidepressants, anxiety medication, mood stabilizers and mood medications. This will make them less effective and slow down your recovery.
Outpatient Treament at Crescent Moon Recovery