The continual use of illegal substances or alcohol often co-occurs with mental and emotional disorders. Co–occurring disorders are not uncommon. Research by SAMHSA has shown an estimated 10 million people have a combination of at least one mental health and one substance use disorder. As many as six of 10 adolescents with a substance use disorder also suffer from a mental health condition such as depression, PTSD, ADHD, or bipolar disorder, to name a few. When this happens, the person has “co-occurring disorders.” Co-occurring disorders are also sometimes referred to as dual diagnosis or co-morbid disorders.
The symptoms of one disorder can aggravate and even worsen the symptoms of the other disorder, such as alcohol abuse with anxiety, or cannabis use with depression. At times, symptoms can overlap and even mask each other; these co–occurring disorders are sometimes difficult to diagnose and treat because they have many of the same symptoms and risk factors.
Clients with co-occurring disorders are often continually at risk of relapse. Adolescents tend to self-medicate using alcohol and other substances when mental health disorders occur first. The best treatment, such as that provided at C&A, integrates addiction treatment with mental health care.
