Individuals struggling with substance addiction often have mental health conditions that complicate treatment. This dual threat is known as co-occurring disorders. Co-occurring disorders can make it challenging for individuals to break free from the cycle of addiction. The results of a 2022 study showed that in the United States, approximately 21.5 million people aged 18 and over have a co-occurring disorder.
Read on to learn about five of the common co-occurring disorders that often accompany substance addiction.
Understanding Co-occurring Disorders
Co-occurring disorders, also known as dual diagnosis, signify the presence of both mental health issues and substance addiction. Co-occurring disorders are complex because the symptoms of the mental health disorder and the addiction can overlap. If the disorders aren’t both addressed at the same time, the person will find it difficult to progress toward health and sobriety.
The origin of co-occurring disorders can be unclear. For instance, an individual with a mental health disorder that is untreated may use alcohol or drugs as a way to self-medicate, seeking temporary relief from their symptoms. Conversely, drug or alcohol addiction can trigger or worsen mental health disorders by altering brain chemistry and worsening underlying vulnerabilities.
Depression and Substance Addiction
The co-occurring disorder of depression and substance addiction creates a debilitating cycle, where the depression symptoms fuel the desire to use drugs or alcohol as a way to numb the pain. Yet, this self-medication strategy backfires over time, as the substance use deepens the depressive episodes, often increasing their frequency and severity. Substances disrupt the brain’s natural chemistry, further impairing the individual’s ability to experience pleasure, motivation, and satisfaction in life.
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and Substance Addiction
The intersection of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) with substance addiction creates a particularly distressing dynamic for many individuals. Those living with PTSD often endure profound and persistent symptoms as a result of traumatic experiences, from intense flashbacks and nightmares to severe anxiety and hypervigilance. Such experiences not only disrupt daily life but can also drive individuals towards alcohol or drugs in an attempt for temporary relief.
Using substances as a way to self-medicate the distressing symptoms of PTSD is counterproductive. While initially it might provide a momentary escape, over time, substance use intensifies the symptoms of PTSD, trapping individuals in a worsening cycle of trauma and addiction.
Anxiety Disorders and Drug or Alcohol Addiction
For many individuals, the relentless grip of anxiety, characterized by persistent worry, panic attacks, or social phobia, pushes them toward the temporary relief found in drugs or alcohol. Substance use often spirals into a cycle of dependency, where the substances amplify anxiety symptoms, creating a vicious loop that complicates both the anxiety and the addiction.
Personality Disorders and Substance Addiction
Those experiencing personality disorders find that their behavior patterns and inner experiences are significantly counter to the expectations of others. This often results in volatile emotions, impulsive actions, and unstable relationships. Again, drugs and alcohol can offer a momentary escape from emotional turmoil. Substance use, of course, amplifies the very symptoms it seeks to soothe, leading to a deepening cycle of dependence and symptom escalation.
Bipolar Disorder and Drug or Alcohol Addiction
The cyclic nature of bipolar disorder, characterized by oscillating periods of manic highs and depressive lows, often leads those affected to seek peace in drugs or alcohol. But substances aggravate the bipolar condition, making it more difficult to seek or maintain a treatment plan. During manic phases, impulsivity and euphoria can diminish an individual’s ability to recognize the harmful consequences of substance abuse. In contrast, the depressive phases may drive individuals to use substances to alleviate the profound feelings of sadness, hopelessness, or lethargy.
Anabranch Recovery Can Help
If you or someone you care about is struggling with a dual diagnosis, it is essential to get the right treatment. At Anabranch Recovery Center in Terre Haute, Indiana, we understand co-occurring conditions. We know how to address and treat the underlying problems, and we offer specialized programs to provide you with the help you need to feel better and live a sober life. Now is the time to take the first step. Contact us today.
