Mental Health and Co-Occurring Issues

Understanding How Mental Health and Addiction Are Connected

Many people who struggle with drug or alcohol use disorders also have some mental health problem. This combination is known as a co-occurring issue.

Statistics and Co-Occurring Issues

Technically speaking, the generally agreed-upon percentages of folks who have a co-occurring issue (or “Double Trouble”) are 50% for an alcohol use disorder and 70-85% for a drug use disorder.

This means that one half to two-thirds of all people struggling with drug or alcohol use essentially have another sort of mental illness.

Importance of Treating Mental Illness

It is essential, therefore, to be sure to treat the accompanying mental illness. Most typically, people coming to our office – or to any drug and alcohol treatment center or outpatient clinic – are also presenting with depression or anxiety.

The number one mental illness in the United States is the set of depressive illnesses, and the number two illness would be the anxiety disorders. Alcohol and drug use can be both a result or symptom of anxiety and depression and it can also be a cause.

Working in therapy, clients and therapists attempt to determine which came first, but this isn’t always so easy.

Seeking Professional Help

Since anxiety, depression, and other mental health disorders are part and parcel of substance use disorders, it is important to see a licensed professional counselor or psychologist to help you treat the potential underlying causes of the substance use disorder.

Depression, anxiety, and other forms of mental illness are very treatable. Depressive and anxiety symptoms can be addressed by treatments like these:

• Cognitive-behavioral therapy
• Relaxation exercises
• Behavioral therapies
• Group
• Individual therapy

These treatments can help reduce anxiety, improve communication skills, and aid in relapse prevention.

Psychiatry and Medication Management for Mental Health

Psychiatry and medication management may be an important part of dual diagnosis treatment as well. Approximately thirty percent of our patients or clients see psychiatrists for mental health or substance abuse medication management.

We refer to conservative psychiatrists who are particularly careful about not overmedicating and who are knowledgeable in treating the underlying depression, anxiety, or other forms of mental illness.

Addiction psychiatrists in particular will be savvy about prescribing medications which are not addictive and don’t create their own problems. Addiction psychiatrists who we use are able to prescribe medications like Suboxone, Naltrexone, and Vivitrol in shot and implant versions in order to help with cravings and maintenance.

Resources for Further Information

These resources additional information about dual diagnoses and the underlying mental disorders related to the substance use disorders.

Most common forms of mental illness in the United States – Psych Central Disorders.

Dual Diagnosis and Recovery (2003, Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance) – DBSA Dual Diagnosis – This brochure outlines the symptoms of depression and mania, offers a checklist of some of the symptoms of problem drinking; answers some questions such as “Am I still clean and sober if I take medication?” and “What if I relapse?”, guidance for loved ones who want to help, and resources. 

Information on how anxiety and alcohol abuse interact and how to treat them – Mental Health America (MHA) is a community-based network with affiliates. One of their primary goals is public education. Another is action and advocacy on a national level. They have concise information about dual diagnosis (listed as “co-occurring disorders”) and address insurance reimbursement, including appealing denials.

More About Anxiety

Anxiety is the number one reason why people come to treatment these days. It used to be the report of depression brought people in to counseling.

About 50% of anyone in the United States will have a mental illness at some point in their lives. 50% of alcoholics will have some sort of mental illness and 70% of people who abuse drugs will have some sort of mental illness.

Part of our homework at Jeremy Frank & Associates is to find out what is fueling addiction. What are the underlying factors which might cause someone to drink or use?

While we will focus on how to manage one’s anxiety and how to lesson it or cope with it we are also bent on trying to find the origins of anxiety or depression. If we can figure out where we learned to feel a certain way we can begin to understand how to unlearn how to have certain feelings or fears as well.