Finding Hope and Healing
Mental illness and addiction are like two peas in a pod, yet most are not aware that it has a name: co-occurring disorders. If you or your loved one is fighting both at once, pay attention to the fact that you’re not the only one. Most individuals are forced to deal with both mental illness and addiction daily, in a cycle they cannot escape.
Imagine this: breaking this cycle. Imagine being treated properly for your mind and body. Treatment for co-occurring disorders is a new possibility, one where healing on both sides is done. 12 South Recovery is dedicated to helping those who want to find hope again with professional treatment for both conditions at the same time.
What is a Co-Occurring Disorder?
A co-occurring disorder, or dual diagnosis, occurs when one has both a mental illness and a substance abuse issue simultaneously. These two conditions feed off of each other, so it is much harder to heal if only one of them is addressed.
Examples of common co-occurring disorders include:
- Depression and alcohol dependence, where alcohol is consumed to hide sorrow but further feeds depressive behaviors.
- Anxiety coupled with cocaine dependency, as individuals experience temporary release from tension but become trapped in cycles of dependency.
- PTSD coupled with opioid dependence, as victims of trauma use opioids to attempt to suppress ghastly memories but enhance their own mental affliction in the process.
If not treated, co-occurring disorders tend to get progressively worse over time, leading to increased emotional distress, strained relationships, job loss, legal troubles, and deterioration of physical health. Effective treatment of co-occurring disorders treats the mental illness and the alcohol and/or other drug abuse simultaneously, dramatically increasing the likelihood of a successful, long-term recovery.
What Are the Different Types of Co-Occurring Disorders?
Co-occurring disorders may manifest in countless combinations since the nature and severity of mental illness and drug abuse vary so widely from person to person. These combinations create complex challenges that demand specialized treatment. A deeper look reveals that certain mental health conditions often intersect with specific types of substance abuse, amplifying symptoms and complicating treatment. Here are some of the most frequent pairings seen in clinical settings:
Depression and Substance Abuse
Depression will cause individuals to look for temporary relief from overwhelming sadness and emotional distress. Alcohol, legal drugs, or illegal drugs are used by some as a way to temporarily escape the weight of feelings. Use of substances usually makes depressive symptoms worse over time, hence maintaining a cycle of abuse, where emotional lows are further deepened. As tolerance grows, people usually expand their use, becoming more ingrained in both addiction and worsening mental health. Untreated by trained professionals, this pattern can possibly harm personal relationships, job stability, and overall physical health.
Anxiety Disorders and Drug Abuse
Chronic anxiety will create a pervasive pattern of worry, fear, and agitation that disrupts normal functioning. In an effort to relieve these feelings, many will use drugs like marijuana, benzodiazepines, or stimulants to experience temporary relief. While these drugs will bring temporary relief, they will cause dependency and will worsen anxiety symptoms in the long run. With time, the natural functions of the brain in coping with things start deteriorating, and it gets more and more difficult for individuals to live without chemicals. Such a cycle of addiction and self-medication runs deep into both drug abuse and mental disease, and there must be intense treatment in place in order to be able to successfully treat both.
Bipolar Disorder and Addiction
People with bipolar disorder often experience intense emotional highs, known as manic episodes, followed by deep depressive lows. During manic phases, individuals may feel invincible, engage in reckless behavior, and exhibit poor judgment—factors that significantly increase the likelihood of experimenting with or abusing substances. These dangerous behaviors are inclined to initiate drug use as a way to extend the feeling of euphoria or to reverse the crash that comes after. With time, the drug or alcohol dependence might have the power to degenerate into drug or alcohol addiction, thereby becoming all the more difficult to regain recovery from already overpowering symptoms of bipolar disorder without the application of professional means.
PTSD and Substance Dependence
Trauma survivors frequently turn to substances as a way to numb emotional pain and escape the haunting memories of their experiences. Drugs or alcohol may initially offer a fleeting sense of relief, but over time, reliance on these substances can deepen emotional scars and intensify PTSD symptoms. As substance use escalates, individuals often face increased anxiety, alertness, depression, and isolation, making the original trauma even harder to process. Without appropriate treatment that addresses both the trauma and the substance dependency, the cycle of pain and self-medication can continue indefinitely, severely impacting quality of life and emotional well-being.
Recognizing the different types of co-occurring disorders is important since each person’s challenges are distinctive and so are their requirements. Each combination of mental illness and substance abuse has its own specific needs that define the path to recovery. If we treat them individually, individuals are much more likely to become stronger, healthier in their coping strategies, and have a more stable, fulfilling life—emotionally and physically.
How Do You Treat Co-Occurring Disorders?
Treating co-occurring disorders is not as simple as addressing each problem separately. Specialized approaches are necessary to break the cycle between mental health disorders and substance abuse.
- Integrated Treatment Programs
An integrated treatment model offers therapy that addresses both the mental health disorder and the substance use disorder simultaneously. Instead of treating each condition separately, integrated treatment works to heal the whole person, leading to better recovery outcomes and greater stability over time.
- Medication Management
Medications can play an essential role in supporting recovery from co-occurring disorders. They help stabilize mood swings, lessen cravings, and manage distressing symptoms of mental illness. Careful selection and ongoing evaluation by medical professionals ensure that medication supports long-term recovery without fostering new dependencies.
- Behavioral Therapies
Behavioral therapies like Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT) provide vital skills for managing emotions, challenging harmful thought patterns, and reducing the risk of relapse. These approaches empower individuals to handle life’s challenges in healthier ways without relying on substances.
- Support Groups and Aftercare
Healing continues well after formal treatment ends. Group therapy and peer-led support networks offer powerful encouragement from others who have experienced similar battles. Aftercare services, such as ongoing counseling and check-ins, help individuals maintain their recovery and adjust to life outside of structured treatment.
The best treatment for co-occurring disorders always blends these methods into a customized, flexible plan built around each person’s specific needs.
Best Treatment for Co-Occurring Disorders: Why It Matters
Selecting the best treatment for co-occurring disorders can be life-changing. Here’s why investing in specialized care is essential:
Dual Diagnosis vs Co-Occurring Disorders
Though the two are often used interchangeably, “dual diagnosis” focuses more on the diagnosis itself, while “co-occurring disorders” emphasizes the co-existence. Terminology aside, both call for treatment that addresses the interplay of the two.
Whole-Person Focus
Treatment that only addresses mental health or only addresses substance use is typically inadequate. Treatment of co-occurring disorders that considers the whole situation guarantees better outcomes through healing the whole person, not symptoms.
Preventing Relapse
By treating the mental health disorders fueling substance use, individuals establish a stronger foundation for lifelong recovery. Without comprehensive care, the risk of relapse remains high.
At 12 South Recovery, we believe in comprehensive, empathetic care that actually gets people to the next step.
Find Help for Co-Occurring Disorders at 12 South Recovery
It can feel exhausting and isolating to have co-occurring disorders, but you don’t have to endure it alone. If you or someone you care about is stuck in the trap of both mental illness and addiction, know that real assistance exists and recovery is completely achievable.
At 12 South Recovery in Lake Forest, CA, we treat every individual with empathy, dignity, and professional concern. Our treatment of co-occurring disorders is designed to accommodate you where you are and support you in your journey forward with hope and resiliency.
Don’t wait to receive the life that is yours. Reach out to 12 South Recovery today and embark on a brighter, healthier way of living.
