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And when alcohol or drug abuse increases, mental health problems usually increase too. Co-occurring substance abuse problems and mental health issues are more common than many people realize. According to reports published in the Journal of the American Medical Association:. There are things you can do to conquer your demons, repair your relationships, and start enjoying life again.
Substance abuse and mental health disorders such as depression and anxiety are closely linked, and while some substance abuse can cause prolonged psychotic reactions, one does not directly cause the other. Alcohol and drugs are often used to self-medicate the symptoms of mental health problems. People often abuse alcohol or drugs to ease the symptoms of an undiagnosed mental disorder, to cope with difficult emotions, or to temporarily change their mood.
Unfortunately, abusing substances causes side effects and in the long run often worsens the symptoms they initially helped to relieve. Alcohol and drug abuse can increase the underlying risk for mental disorders.
Mental disorders are caused by a complex interplay of genetics, the environment, and other outside factors. If you are at risk for a mental disorder, abusing alcohol or illegal or prescription drugs may push you over the edge. There is some evidence, for example, that certain abusers of marijuana have an increased risk of psychosis while those who abuse opioid painkillers are at greater risk for depression. Alcohol and drug abuse can make symptoms of a mental health problem worse. Substance abuse may sharply increase symptoms of mental illness or even trigger new symptoms.
Abuse of alcohol or drugs can also interact with medications such as antidepressants, anti-anxiety pills, and mood stabilizers, making them less effective at managing symptoms. It can be difficult to diagnose a substance abuse problem and a co-occurring mental health disorder. It takes time to tease out what might be a mental disorder and what might be a drug or alcohol problem. The signs and symptoms also vary depending upon both the mental health problem and the type of drug being abused. For example, the signs of depression and marijuana abuse could look very different from the signs of schizophrenia and alcohol abuse.
However, there are some general warning signs that you may have a co-occurring disorder:. Complicating a dual diagnosis is denial.
Denial is common in substance abuse. Denial frequently occurs in mental disorders as well.
The symptoms of depression or anxiety can be frightening, so you may ignore them and hope they go away. Or you may be ashamed or afraid of being viewed as weak if you admit you have a problem. But substance abuse and mental health issues can happen to any of us. And admitting you have a problem and seeking help is the first step on the road to recovery.
The mental health problems that most commonly co-occur with substance abuse are depression , bipolar disorder , and anxiety disorders. Bipolar Disorder Signs and Symptoms: Recognize Mania and Bipolar Disorder. Other mental health problems that commonly co-occur with substance abuse include Schizophrenia , Borderline Personality Disorder , and Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder.
The best treatment for co-occurring disorders is an integrated approach, where both the substance abuse problem and the mental disorder are treated simultaneously. Whether your mental health or substance abuse problem came first, long-term recovery depends on getting treatment for both disorders by the same treatment provider or team. Depending on your specific issues:.
Treatment for your mental health problem may include medication, individual or group counseling, lifestyle changes, and peer support. Treatment for your substance abuse may include detoxification, managing of withdrawal symptoms, behavioral therapy, and support groups to help maintain your sobriety. There is always hope. Both mood disorders and alcohol and drug abuse problems are treatable conditions.
Recovering from co-occurring disorders takes time, commitment, and courage, but people with substance abuse and mental health problems can and do get better. If your doctor needs to prescribe medication for your mental health problem, mixing it with alcohol or drugs could have serious effects. Relapses are part of the recovery process. Slips and setbacks happen, but, with hard work, most people can recover from their relapses and move on with recovery.
Peer support can help.
You may benefit from joining a self-help support group such as Alcoholics Anonymous or Narcotics Anonymous. Make sure that the program is appropriately licensed and accredited, the treatment methods are backed by research, and there is an aftercare program to prevent relapse. Additionally, you should make sure that the program has experience with your particular mental health issue. Some programs, for example, may have experience treating depression or anxiety, but not schizophrenia or bipolar disorder. There are a variety of approaches that treatment programs may take, but there are some basics of effective treatment that you should look for:.
Veterans deal with additional challenges when it comes to co-occurring disorders. The pressures of deployment or combat can exacerbate underlying mental disorders, and substance abuse is a common way of coping with unpleasant feelings or memories. Often, these problems take a while to show up after a vet returns home, and may be initially mistaken for readjustment.
In addition to getting professional treatment, there are plenty of self-help steps you can take to address your substance abuse and mental health issues. Getting sober is only the beginning. Learn how to manage stress. Drug and alcohol abuse often stems from misguided attempts to manage stress. Stress management skills go a long way towards preventing relapse and keeping your symptoms at bay. Cope with unpleasant feelings. Many people turn to alcohol or drugs to cover up painful memories and emotions such as loneliness, depression, or anxiety.
You may feel like doing drugs is the only way to handle unpleasant feelings, but HelpGuide's free Emotional Intelligence Toolkit can teach you how to cope with difficult emotions without falling back on your addiction. Know your triggers and have an action plan.
Common causes include stressful events, big life changes, or unhealthy sleeping or eating patterns. At these times, having a plan in place is essential to preventing a drink or drug relapse. Who will you talk to? What do you need to do to avoid slipping? Make face-to-face connection with friends and family a priority. Positive emotional connection to those around you is the quickest way to calm your nervous system.
The Thought That Counts: In addition, women face an interaction of biologic and social risk factors, such as a higher baseline prevalence of depression and the risk of adverse reproductive events e. She told of being overmedicated and subject to many diagnoses and treatments — all of which overlooked this history of abuse for many years. Thus, he explained, prevention and preparedness are the primary areas of focus in the Office of Surgeon General. VictimLinkBC Call or text for information and referrals for many different services, including victim services, counselling services, housing resources and government resources. Identify feelings rather than numbers while playing bingo Creative Therapy Store: To that end, here are the top ten books critical of psychiatry that deserve your attention.
Try to meet up regularly with people who care about you. Once you are sober and you feel better, you might think you no longer need medication or treatment. But arbitrarily stopping medication or treatment is a common reason for relapse in people with co-occurring disorders. Always talk with your doctor before making any changes to your medication or treatment routine.
Get therapy or stay involved in a support group. Your chances of staying sober improve if you are participating in a social support group like Alcoholics Anonymous or Narcotics Anonymous or if you are getting therapy. Exercise is a natural way to bust stress, relieve anxiety, and improve your mood and outlook. To achieve the maximum benefit, aim for at least 30 minutes of aerobic exercise on most days. When practiced regularly, relaxation techniques such as mindfulness meditation, progressive muscle relaxation, and deep breathing can reduce symptoms of stress, anxiety, and depression, and increase feelings of relaxation and emotional well-being.
Adopt healthy eating habits. Start the day right with breakfast, and continue with frequent small meals throughout the day. Brianna and the Blue Monster: Josh Wears a Red Cape: Meh by Deborah Malcolm depression for children ages https: Evans for teenagers https: Sadly the Owl by Linnie von Sky depression for ages https: The Princess and the Fog by Lloyd Jones depression for ages https: Grow Happy by Jon Lasser resiliency for ages https: My Many Colored Days by Dr.
Suess emotions for ages https: A Mexican Fable retold by Shirley Climo self-esteem for ages https: Timothy Walsh for teenagers https: A Place for Starr: A Safe Place to Live: Strong at the Heart: Gur schizophrenia for teenagers https: Books for younger children: Pre-school to 12 years.
This list of books and materials was compiled on behalf of the Child and adolescent psychiatry faculty based on recommendations from child and adolescent mental health professionals. Books and materials for teenagers and adults. This list was compiled on behalf of the Child and adolescent psychiatry faculty based on recommendations from child and adolescent mental health professionals. Has 34 books with ratings http: Hastings and Marion H.
Typpo ages An illustrated story to help children understand and cope with the problem of alcoholism or other drug addiction in the family. I Can Be Me: Includes guidelines for adults to help children of alcoholics. The Bipolar Bear Family: The Night Dad Went to Jail: Living with a Brother or Sister with Special Needs: A Book for Sibs by Patricia F. Vadasy ages https: The Sibling Slam Book: Views from Our Shoes: A list of recommended books for siblings of children with psychiatric disorders is available at http: Depression and Your Child: I Hate to Write: Foa and Linda Wasmer Andrews https: Timothy Walsh and V.
Evans and Linda Wasmer Andrews https: If Your Adolescent Has Schizophrenia: Gur and Ann Braden Johnson https: Self-Help Books for Parents and Adults — This list was compiled on behalf of the Child and Adolescent Psychiatry Faculty based on recommendations from child and adolescent mental health professionals.