Anyone in the mental health field knows that mental illness doesn’t happen in a vacuum. Outside triggers, family, work, holidays, and more all play a role in someone’s ability to deal with their diagnosis. Yet sometimes, it’s not just external factors that present the biggest obstacle, but another internal factor: a second diagnosis.

This situation, called comorbidity or co-occurring disorders, can present unique obstacles for anyone dealing with the already challenging obstacle of a mental disorder. One of the most common comorbid conditions for those with mental illness is substance use disorder. 

Why Substance Use Disorder?

There are many reasons why substance abuse and mental illness might be linked, but it’s important not to mistakenly think one causes the other, even if one showed up first. Just like studies on mental illness alone, it’s difficult to determine exactly what causes substance use disorder. The latest science suggests a combination of genetic proclivity (i.e. someone else in your family has or had it) and environmental factors (i.e. extreme trauma or stress, especially early in life). 

According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse, “environmental factors interact with genetic vulnerability during particular developmental periods to increase the risk for mental illnesses and addiction.” Similar vulnerabilities may explain why these two conditions often occur together. 

How do you treat both substance abuse and mental illness?

Of course, no two people are alike and no two illnesses present the same way, so there’s no one-size-fits-all option. However, there are techniques and approaches you can use that are shown to be most effective when dealing with both substance abuse and mental illness. 

First, it’s important to recognize the effect they have on each other. Both are chronic issues with the brain, so they will require lifelong management and they may influence each other. A flare up of one may induce a flare up in the other, making it even more difficult to to find stability.

The most effective treatment methods take a comprehensive approach to identifying and treating both disorders simultaneously. Behavioral therapies like CBT and DBT are especially useful as they identify and address specific behaviors, triggers, through processes, and other aspects of both disorders. These therapies – often combined with medication – can create the foundation a person needs to explore their disorders, understand how their brain works, and find solutions for long-term stability. 

Learn more about drug use in this video: Drugs: Shatter the Myths

Are you interested in behavioral therapy like CBT or DBT? Learn more at pdgtherapy.com or call PDG to schedule an appointment: 410-863-7213