It's not uncommon for someone with a substance use disorder (SUD) to experience other mental health conditions. When this happens, we refer to it as a co-occurring disorder. Knowing what to do when your mental health is impacting your recovery can make all the difference between staying sober or experiencing a relapse.
Since co-occurring disorders are common, treatment can address them effectively. We do this at NorthStar Transitions through our dual diagnosis treatment. When clients come in for treatment, we assess their SUD and any additional conditions they may be experiencing. In treatment, clients gain experience managing their mental health so that they can maintain long-term sobriety.
The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) reports that people with other mental disorders are at greater risk of developing SUD.
It is no surprise, then, that co-occurring disorders are common. In fact, according to the 2021 National Survey on Drug Use and Health, about 9.2 million adults in the United States had a co-occurring disorder.
Some of the mental health conditions people experience in addition to SUD include:
In some cases, mental health conditions develop because of SUD. However, it can also happen the other way around.
Many people use substances to cope with a pre-existing mental illness. That kind of self-medication is dangerous because it can quickly lead to dependency.
Additionally, SUD and other mental health conditions can develop simultaneously due to shared risk factors.
Regardless of which condition began first, knowing what to do when you or a loved one has co-occurring disorders is important. Dual diagnosis treatment can lay the foundation for improved mental health and long-term sobriety.
Learning to manage these disorders while in treatment can help you later when trying to maintain sobriety. When seeking addiction treatment, loved ones and professionals may focus on the addiction. While this is necessary, we can't forget to consider the root cause of the addiction, especially if that root cause is another mental health condition. This is where dual diagnosis comes in.
Treating all conditions is vital to creating a life of sustainable, long-term sobriety. If other mental health conditions are left untreated, symptoms can persist, worsen, and impact the quality of your recovery.
Dual diagnosis treatment at NorthStar Transitions utilizes several techniques, such as behavioral therapies, medication-assisted treatment (MAT), and other evidence-based modalities. This combination of services and modalities produces many benefits, including:
Of course, dual diagnosis doesn't guarantee that you'll never experience symptoms of mental illness again. However, it teaches you to identify the warning signs that your mental health is impacting your recovery. It also teaches you what to do about it.
Recognizing that your mental health is impacting your recovery may not always be easy. Sometimes, the signs are obvious. Other times, however, your mental health may worsen gradually, causing you to overlook the warning signs.
Your mental health may be hindering your recovery if you:
There are many other warning signs you may notice, but these are some big-ticket items individuals tend to experience.
If you experience any of the above warning signs or find yourself behaving unusually or neglecting your aftercare routine, seek help. We sometimes see the signs but ignore them because we don't want to be a burden or cause others to worry. However, the longer we wait to do something, the greater the risk to our recovery.
To protect your recovery, go to your therapist, talk to an accountability partner, or get yourself to a meeting immediately. Discussing your concerns and feelings can make all the difference, especially talking to a professional. They can help you get back on track with your aftercare routine. Additionally, they may help you think of what to do proactively to improve your mental health before it worsens to this extent again.
The reality is that sometimes the signs are missed, and recovery is put at risk. Thankfully, there's always hope, even when it doesn't seem like it. If your recovery is at risk, consider taking these steps:
Unfortunately, there will be times when your mental health negatively impacts your recovery, but you can get through it with the right tools and support. For additional help in maintaining mental health and sobriety, contact NorthStar Transitions today.
Mental health and addiction are closely related. According to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), individuals with a mental illness are more likely to experience substance use disorder (SUD). That happens sometimes because people with mental health conditions use substances to cope with their symptoms. Other times, it happens because individuals with SUD can develop mental health conditions due to long-term substance use. Whatever the scenario, treatment is available. There may be times when your mental health impacts your recovery. Knowing what to do in these instances is vital, but you can get through it with the right tools and support. Call NorthStar Transitions at (303) 558-6400 to learn more today.
