What are co-occurring disorders? A person who is struggling with substance abuse and a mental disorder has a co-occurring disorder. According to the National Survey of Drug Use and Health, nearly 6 million people in the U.S. have some form of co-occurring disorders.
To provide proper treatment, many addiction treatment centers in California offer a dual diagnosis to help individuals recover from addiction and manage the symptoms of their disorder. This treatment is a more effective form of care that provides long-term results. To learn more about the question, “What are co-occurring disorders?” contact the experts at Summit Estate today.
What Are Co-Occurring Disorders?
Co-occurring disorders rarely exist alongside each other. Instead, they form a symbiotic relationship in one of two ways:
The Addiction Intensifies or Causes the Mental Disorder
As a user increases the dosage of the substance they are abusing, they may intensify the disorder’s symptoms. For instance, a person who struggles with depression may become more depressed if they continue to abuse heroin. Unfortunately, they may not be aware of the connection between their heroin use and depression.
Long-term abuse of drugs or alcohol can also cause mental disorders. An individual who drinks for a long time can trigger a condition such as bipolar disorder or anxiety. The emergence of a mental health condition occurs due to the substance’s effects on brain function. Again, the individual may not realize that their addiction is what is feeding the disorder.
The Mental Disorder Triggers the Addiction
A person who has a mental disorder may not be aware of the problem at first. For example, they may blame their anxiety on the issues at work, school, or home. Also, they may not know how to cope with their condition.
As a result, a person may turn to destructive behaviors to manage the problem. Substance abuse treatment programs in California help individuals who have turned to alcohol or drugs to cope with their disorders. Clients can learn how to find effective ways of managing the symptoms instead of drinking or taking drugs.
Common Mental Disorders Associated with Addiction
One of the reasons people relapse after recovery from addiction is that the focus of their treatment is often on the addiction and not the disorder. Therefore, a person in recovery has only solved half the problem. Furthermore, they may still not realize that they have a mental health condition.
Therefore, it is vital to identify the disorder so that a client can achieve a full recovery. Common disorders associated with drug and alcohol addiction include:
- Anxiety
- Depression
- Bipolar disorder
- ADHD
- Borderline personality disorder
- Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
It is vital to identify and treat these disorders as soon as possible so that the client has a fighting chance of overcoming their addiction. Otherwise, fighting a relapse and mental disorder symptoms simultaneously is an uphill climb at best.
Dual Diagnosis for Co-Occurring Disorders
Treatment specialists use dual diagnosis to identify the mental disorder and explore its relationship with the addiction. In a few cases, both may exist independently of each other. However, in most cases, there is a clear link between both conditions.
Factors that may contribute to both addiction and a mental disorder may include trauma, stress, genetics, environment, or family traits. We’ve designed our rehab programs in California to explore all the factors and help the client find the right treatment.
What Are Co-Occurring Disorders? Learn More at Summit Estate
What are co-occurring disorders? Find out the answers by contacting Summit Estate. Our addiction treatment therapies in California can help you rise above your addiction and manage the symptoms of your disorder. Contact us at 800.701.6997 to get started with your treatment today.
