It is hard enough to deal with a mental health disorder or addiction. Experiencing both at the same time is even harder. Unfortunately, between 9 million and 21.5 million Americans are thought to be doing just that. At The Pavilion, in Williamsburg, Virginia, we offer detox and mental health services under one roof to support people who are dealing with co-occurring disorders.
Facts About Co-occurring Disorders
This is not a new phenomenon. For a long time, it’s been clear that people often experience mental health and substance use disorders together.
- In the past, the terms “dual diagnosis” or “dual disorders” were sometimes used to describe a situation where someone experiences both a psychiatric condition and addiction. “Co-morbid” is another way this is described, usually in medical or scientific literature.
- While people sometimes assume that a person with co-occurring conditions may be to blame for causing their own mental illness by using substances, in reality, this is a far more complex phenomenon. Substance use can contribute to mental health disorders. Mental health disorders can also be a reason someone starts using substances, as they may try to self-medicate their symptoms with alcohol or other drugs. This may work temporarily, but it often leads to worsening symptoms over time. Mental health and substance use disorders also have shared causes, including stress, genetics, differences in brain structure, and environmental factors, so they can emerge together, without one causing or even contributing to the other.
- Years ago, it was common for people with these disorders to be advised to treat either their substance use disorder or their mental health condition first, before proceeding to treat the other diagnosis. This is no longer considered best practice because it seems to be far more effective for most people to treat both issues together.
- People with co-occurring disorders who don’t receive effective treatment are at greater risk than people with only one type of disorder, for relapses (mental health and addiction), hospitalizations, financial struggles, becoming unhoused, isolation from their support system and community, incarceration, and exploitation.
Responding to Co-occurring Conditions
Instead of only treating the substance use concern or the mental health condition, an integrated approach is generally recommended. This often starts with detox, to allow the substances to leave the person’s body. This is typically followed by inpatient treatment, as the level of care needed is often higher for people with co-occurring disorders. Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and dialectical behavioral therapy (DBT) are two of the most commonly used psychiatric modalities for people with co-occurring disorders because they work on building coping skills and reducing unproductive behaviors. Both can also be used alongside medication. It may be recommended that the client utilize outpatient treatment and/or sober housing options after they have completed inpatient care, to strengthen their recovery and reduce the risk of relapse.
12-Steps for People with Co-Occurring Disorders
People who experience mental illness and addiction can attend NA, AA, SMART Recovery, and other groups that are focused on substance use recovery, and this may be very helpful for them. If they wish to connect with other people who have dual diagnosis disorders, they can also look for groups that are specifically for this population, such as Double Trouble in Recovery.
Substances Frequently Used by People with Mental Illnesses
Some of the drugs that are most commonly misused by people with mental health disorders include:
- Legal drugs, such as nicotine, alcohol, and prescription medications
- Opioids
- Stimulants
- Marijuana
- Hallucinogens
Mental Illnesses Frequently Diagnosed in People with Substance Use Disorders
There are also mental health disorders that are more frequently found alongside addiction:
- Anxiety
- Schizophrenia
- Bipolar disorder
- Major depression
- Conduct disorders
- Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
- Attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)
At The Pavilion, we recognize that compassion and empathy are far more effective in treating people who are struggling than blame and shame. Our team offers a safe, supportive, secure environment where people who are struggling with addiction, mental illness, or both can get the help they need to recover.
