An estimated fifty percent of people who suffer from addiction also have a mental health disorder. The most common of these mental health disorders are anxiety, depression, PTSD, and bipolar disorder. While these disorders may have developed independently, addiction may increase the risk of developing them. Similarly, having an untreated mental health disorder may lead to a substance abuse disorder. For the best chance at recovery, it is more effective to address both concerns through co-occurring disorder treatment.
Promont Wellness in Southampton, Pennsylvania, provides outpatient, intensive outpatient, or partial hospitalization programs that can be tailored to each client’s specific needs. Our friendly, welcoming staff are experienced in the treatment of co-occurring disorders, ensuring holistic recovery and long-term sobriety for each client. Contact us at 866.939.4243 today to learn more about what we can offer.
What Is the Connection Between Addiction and Mental Health Disorders?
Given the high rate of co-occurring substance use and other mental health disorders, one can assume there is a connection between the two. This may be attributed to the following:
- Brain chemistry imbalances make some individuals vulnerable to both substance abuse and mental health disorders. Having a family history of either is also a risk factor for both these conditions.
- If a mental health condition is undiagnosed, it may be self-medicated through alcohol or substance abuse. Clients with a psychiatric illness may opt to turn to alcohol or drugs to alleviate the symptoms of their disease.
- The abuse of drugs or alcohol may aggravate an undiagnosed psychiatric illness or even trigger a latent mental health disorder. Addiction can alter the way the brain functions, leading to the development of a psychiatric illness or making an existing one worse.
When someone has both a substance use disorder and a mental health disorder, either can cause the other to manifest. As such, it may be safer to treat both conditions simultaneously instead of treating just one in hopes of alleviating the other.
Why Is It Important To Treat Substance Abuse and Mental Health Disorders Simultaneously?
It may be difficult to assess whether someone with an addiction has an underlying mental health condition due to the fact that addiction mimics the symptoms of some psychiatric illnesses. However, any co-occurring conditions must be addressed during treatment due to the following reasons:
- Treating the addiction without treating the mental health disorder may lead to an increased risk of relapse. Having an untreated psychiatric illness can be a trigger for substance abuse.
- Alternatively, treating a mental health condition without treating a substance use disorder will be equally ineffective, especially with many psychiatric medications being vulnerable to abuse and misuse.
- Treatment plans should be created with any mental health issues taken into account. Some forms of treatment may not be effective due to underlying conditions or may aggravate the symptoms of some psychiatric illnesses.
- In recovery treatment, identifying the root causes of addiction is essential to long-term sobriety. In cases where an undiagnosed mental health disorder is a contributor to substance abuse, it is necessary to treat this illness in order to achieve full recovery.
Comprehensive co-occurring disorder treatment is the most effective option for individuals seeking to break the cycle of addiction and improve their mental health.
Get Co-Occurring Disorder Treatment for Mental Health and Addiction at Promont Wellness
In cases of co-occurring disorders, integrated treatment is the best chance at a successful recovery. At Promont Wellness, we believe in individualized, client-focused care that takes each client’s unique circumstances into account. Our co-occurring disorder treatments include a wide variety of evidence-based therapies that can be tailored to each client’s needs, whatever they may be.
If you or a loved one is suffering from a co-occurring disorder, contact us at 866.939.4243 today so we can provide the support and guidance you need to heal. You can also fill out our online form and let us get back to you.
