Mental Illness and Addiction
Mental illness and addiction often co-occur, a phenomenon known as a co-occurring disorder, where individuals with a mental health condition are also struggling with substance use. This can be a complex and bidirectional relationship, where one condition can worsen the other.
How Mental Illness and Addiction Are Connected:
Individuals with mental health conditions like anxiety, depression, or PTSD may turn to substances to cope with their symptoms, effectively self-medicating.
Substance use can also trigger or worsen mental health conditions. For example, chronic drug use can lead to depression, anxiety, or even psychosis.
Both mental illness and addiction can be linked to underlying biological, psychological, and social factors, making individuals more vulnerable to both conditions.
People with mental illness are at a higher risk of developing substance use disorders compared to the general population.
The relationship between mental illness and addiction is not always one-way. Substance use can worsen mental health conditions, and mental health conditions can increase the likelihood of substance use.
Common Mental Health Conditions that Co-Occur with Substance Use Disorders:
Importance of Recognizing and Addressing Co-Occurring Disorders:
Recognizing and treating both mental health and substance use disorders simultaneously leads to better outcomes for individuals.
Addressing both conditions can help reduce the likelihood of relapse and improve long-term recovery.
Individuals with co-occurring disorders need comprehensive care that addresses both their mental health and substance use needs.
If you or someone you know is struggling with both mental illness and addiction, seeking professional help is crucial.
Among the 3.6 million adults aged 18 or older in 2019 who had a co-occurring SUD and SMI in the past year, 66.6 percent (or 2.4 million people) received either substance use treatment at a specialty facility or mental health services in the past year, 52.0 percent (or 1.9 million people) received only mental health services
Key Substance Use and Mental Health Indicators in the United States:
Results from the 2019 National Survey on Drug Use and Health
https://www.samhsa.gov/data/sites/default/files/reports/rpt29393/2019NSDUHFFRPDFWHTML/2019NSDUHFFR090120.htm#topofpage
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