Mental health and substance use disorder (SUD) are closely linked. It’s often the case that people suffering from addiction also struggle with underlying mental conditions, such as depression, anxiety, post-traumatic stress, psychosis, and many other mental illnesses.

The rate of depression among SUD patients alone is highly alarming, not only in West Palm Beach but throughout the country. In one statewide study, experts discovered that over 44% of those diagnosed with SUD also suffer from severe depression.

Addiction is a dangerous behavioral health issue. When paired with a serious mental illness, the risk to the individual’s well-being significantly increases.

Fortunately, addiction treatment programs have significantly advanced, and now offer comprehensive treatment services for SUD and its co-existing mental health diseases. With expert guidance, you or your suffering loved ones can take your life back from addiction.

We at Allure Detox believe that healing starts with understanding. Below, we’ll share everything you need to know about how addiction relates to your mental health and how seeking professional help can make all the difference in your recovery.

Mental Health Clinic

Substance Use and Your Mental Health

People take drugs for a wide range of reasons. Some may begin at an early age, influenced by friends or family members, while others start later out of curiosity. Eventually, these instances become habitual, turning into dependence, and, ultimately, addiction.

Addiction, as the most severe form of SUD, primarily affects the brain and the nervous system. The opioid or alcohol hijacks your brain’s neurotransmitters, altering its reward system to compel you to take more of the substance.

Chronic drug abuse can impact your mental health in many ways. As it alters your brain chemistry, you become more susceptible to psychiatric disorders. This often leads to long-term mental issues that worsen SUD symptoms.

When someone is diagnosed with mental illness symptoms alongside chronic substance use habits, we call it a dual diagnosis or a co-occurring disorder (COD).

How Is Addiction Related to Mental Health Conditions?

According to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), over 9 million Americans suffer from a co-occurring disorder. National surveys also revealed that roughly 50% of those struggling with their mental health are simultaneously affected by SUD.

The same goes for people with alcohol use disorder (AUD), with over 37% diagnosed with one or more serious mental disabilities.

However, while it’s true that many of those who developed SUD are often also diagnosed with mental health disorders, it doesn’t necessarily follow that one directly causes the other.

Nevertheless, it’s worth noting that they do contribute to one another’s progression, indicating an unmistakable connection between the two chronic disorders.

In a report by the National Bureau of Economic Research, they found that people with existing mental illnesses consume larger amounts of addictive substances. They drink 38% of all alcohol, ingest 44% of all cocaine, and smoke 40% of all cigarettes in the country.

Conversely, multiple surveys also found a significant correlation between substance abuse and contracting a mental health disorder.

Regular cannabis use has been associated with an increased risk of depression and anxiety disorders. The psychoactive drug is further linked to the development of schizophrenia or psychosis among users.

Moreover, stimulant drugs like cocaine are shown to make users feel paranoid, anxious, and depressed. Taking large amounts of cocaine can worsen an existing mental disorder and even trigger psychosis symptoms.

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Does Addiction or Mental Illness Occur First?

It depends. In some cases, taking certain illicit substances for long periods does trigger the onset of a mental health issue.

Such is the case for MDMA, otherwise known as ecstasy, which alters the brain’s serotonin production, resulting in various mental illnesses, particularly depression.

However, for many people, taking a certain drug is a form of self-medication, hoping to alleviate symptoms of severe mental disorders.

A common example of this is a schizophrenic individual using cannabis to mitigate hallucinations and paranoid delusions, life-altering symptoms that come with the psychological disease.

It’s also possible for SUD and mental disorders to exist independently of each other.

Why Is a Co-occurring Addiction and Mental Illness Dangerous?

A co-occurring disorder can be dangerous to your wellness and safety in several ways. Without proper treatment, both addiction and mental illness can wreak havoc on your life, sever relationships, and impact your health.

Depression, a major co-occurring disease, if left untreated, worsens over time. This can result in emotional, physical, and behavioral health problems that increase your risk of contracting various illnesses.

On the other hand, people with addiction are more likely to develop one or more health issues. Depending on the severity, you may become more vulnerable to cardiovascular disease, stroke, and cancer.

Suicide is another significant issue that may result from comorbid SUD conditions. Over 90% of reported suicide cases are caused by a mental illness, addiction, or both. Thus, knowing the warning signs is crucial for prevention.

If you or any of your friends and family members exhibit the following signs, go to the nearest healthcare provider or call suicide prevention hotlines like the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline:

  • Frequent suicidal ideation
  • Increased alcohol or drug use
  • Loss of interest in appearance and hygiene
  • Withdrawing from friends and loved ones
  • Noticeable changes in sleeping and eating patterns
  • Sudden changes in mood

Helplines help you connect with crisis counselors to cope with your emotional and mental distress. They also provide valuable resources, such as health service provider referrals and other crisis services.

dual diagnosis

Common Mental Disorders Co-occurring With Addiction

Every case is unique when dealing with substance abuse and its co-occurring diseases. Apart from depression, the person suffering from addiction may experience one or more of the following mental conditions:

Bipolar Disorder

Also called manic depression, bipolar disorder is an illness that causes sudden and intense shifts in mood, thinking, and behavior. These recurring “manic” episodes can last for hours, days, or weeks.

Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD)

Generalized anxiety disorder is a mental disorder characterized by ongoing and excessive feelings of worry and restlessness. As a result, the person with GAD may experience difficulties functioning normally, alongside other physical symptoms.

Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)

People who have gone through traumatic physical or emotional events as a child may develop post-traumatic stress, increasing the likelihood of opioid use as an adult. Persistent intrusive thoughts, frequent nightmares, and trauma flashbacks are common PTSD symptoms.

Antisocial Personality Disorder (ASPD)

Sometimes referred to as sociopathy, antisocial personality disorder makes the person neglectful of other people’s welfare. ASPD has the highest prevalence among those who struggle with alcohol abuse.

Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)

Typically diagnosed during childhood, people with ADHD may turn to drug use as a way to cope with the neurological condition’s effects. According to the Addiction Center, 21% of males and 13% of females with ADHD abuse either drugs or alcohol.

medical detox

Treatment Options For Co-occurring Addiction and Mental Disorders

The overlapping symptoms of addiction and mental illnesses are highly complex, often requiring intensive assessment for accurate prognosis. That’s why it’s important to find addiction services experts who understand the complexity of this comorbidity.

Co-occurring disorder treatment typically involves integrated behavioral health services that aim to deal with substance abuse and mental illness simultaneously. These programs may include a series of therapies and medication.

Medication-Assisted Treatment

Treatment typically starts by eliminating the substance from the patient’s system. However, this step often means having to deal with withdrawal symptoms that may require medication to manage.

Examples of such medications are buprenorphine for safe withdrawal, naloxone for opioid overdose, and mood stabilizers (SSRIs) for severe mental illness symptoms.

Behavioral Therapy

This aspect of addiction and mental health treatment is crucial to ensure resiliency and long-term recovery. It helps individuals identify and address problematic attitudes and learn valuable coping skills to prevent relapse.

  • Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT): CBT helps patients identify and correct maladaptive behaviors and thinking patterns that contribute to the progression of addiction or mental illness.
  • Assertive Community Treatment (ACT): This is an outpatient, community-based program. A team of specialists will provide treatment, support services, and other initiatives at home to facilitate better community integration.
  • Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT): Using techniques based on CBT, DBT primarily focuses on processing emotions during the healing process. It teaches patients to regulate intense emotions and eliminate toxic behavioral patterns.
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Final Thoughts: Reaching Out For Professional Support

If drug use affects your mental health and quality of life, don’t hesitate to reach out for help. While it may be difficult at first, being honest about your condition, both to yourself and your family, is a crucial step for your recovery.

Allure Detox is a mental health clinic for addiction in West Palm Beach, Florida. We provide integrated and personalized treatment programs tailored to your specific needs. From detoxification to relapse prevention, we will accompany you at every step of your journey.

Contact us today and start healing today!

References

Published on: 2025-05-29
Updated on: 2025-06-05

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