Comorbidity is when two or more disorders or illnesses occur together. It also means that interactions between both disorders can cause both conditions to become worse. Because of this, it is imperative to treat both diseases. If mental health disorders are left untreated, they can completely undermine the individual’s potential for recovery from addiction. Mental disorders and addiction can interrupt the individual’s ability to function, identify with others, and cope with challenges and stress. It is necessary for these conditions to be treated under strict supervision of medical professionals, due to the way that combining anti-anxiety medication with alcohol or other drugs can be dangerous and even fatal.

At the beginning of your treatment, you will meet with a physician and a psychiatrist so that they can work together to identify and address possible co-occurring disorders. Based on their diagnosis, they will work with you to create an individualized treatment plan that is customized to your needs, addiction history, and co-occurring disorders.

We will teach you life skills as you work towards building an arsenal of tools to enable your lasting sobriety, even after treatment ends. Beachside Recovery Center will support you in an empathetic and compassionate manner. It is important to us that you fully and completely recover from your substance abuse and any other disorders that may have a hand in your addiction.

Many clients who are dealing with addiction to drugs or alcohol also have mental disorders. In the same way, many clients with mental disorders are also battling alcohol or drug addiction. Despite the fact that many drug use related disorders occur alongside of mental illnesses, this does not mean that one disorder always causes another. Figuring out which disorder appeared first, or why it did, can be a very difficult task.

According to recent research, there are are several possibilities for co-occurring disorders. Although it is not always the case, mental illness can lead to substance abuse. This occurs when an individual begins to use the substance in an effort to “self-medicate” and gain temporary relief from symptoms. However, substance abuse may also bring about symptoms of a different mental illness, as well. An example of this is the increased risk of psychosis in certain users of marijuana.

Common risk factors could be the cause of co-occurring disorders, as well. These risk factors can involve similar areas of the brain. Individuals with brain systems that are affected by stress and reward can be impacted by substance abuse. Irregular activity could show up in patients with certain mental disorders. Mental illness and substance abuse disorders are developmental disorders. These disorders tend to develop during the teen years, while the brain is going through developmental changes. Genetic predisposition can also play a huge part in substance abuse, as well as mental illness. There is also the possibility that overlapping triggers of an environmental nature can come into play. If an individual experiences triggers due to trauma, sexual or physical abuse, or stress, along with an early exposure to drugs, they can easily develop struggles with mental illness and substance abuse.