Why Mental Health Disorders Co-Exist With Substance Use

Why Mental Health Disorders Co-Exist With Substance Use Addiction Print Why Mental Health Disorders Co-Exist With Substance Use By Sherri Gordon facebook twitter Sherri Gordon is a published author and a bullying prevention expert. Learn about our editorial policy Sherri Gordon Medically reviewed by Medically reviewed by Steven Gans, MD on June 10, 2015 Steven Gans, MD is board-certified in psychiatry and is an active supervisor, teacher, and mentor at Massachusetts General Hospital. Learn about our Medical Review Board Steven Gans, MD Updated on July 05, 2019 iStockphoto   More in Addiction Alcohol Use Addictive Behaviors Drug Use Nicotine Use Coping and Recovery The numbers do not lie. Mental illness and addiction often overlap. In fact, nearly 9  million people have a co-occurring disorder according to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. Yet, only 7 percent of these individuals get treatment for both conditions. And nearly 60 percent receive no treatment at all. Understanding Comorbidity Comorbidity refers to the fact that  two conditions, such as mental illness and substance abuse, often co-exist together. What this means is that in many people with addictions, there  is an underlying mental health issue as well. While neither condition actually causes the other, they do often exist together. Whats more, one condition can exacerbate the symptoms of the other. To better understand how comorbidity is possible, it helps to recognize that both are chronic brain diseases. In other words, when someone struggles with an addiction, their brain has been permanently rewired by the substance they abused. This, in turn, causes the brain to function differently than before. Just like diabetes or heart disease, a person with an addiction must manage his condition for the rest of his life. It is not as simple as stopping the drug use or alcohol condition. Many times, this is simply not possible. Likewise, the changes that take place in the brain due to substance abuse occur in the same brain areas that are impacted by depression, anxiety, schizophrenia, and bipolar disorder. Consequently, it should not be surprising that there is a high rate of comorbidity between addiction and other mental illnesses. While scientists have yet to prove a direct link, some mental health issues increase the risk factors for substance abuse. What this means is that  some people with mental illnesses will turn to alcohol or drugs to cope with the pain of their  mental health issues. Why Addiction and Mental Illness Co-Occur Even though there is a high rate of comorbidity between addiction and mental illness, it does not mean that one caused the otherâ€"even if one condition appeared first. Instead, there  are still a number of factors that need to be considered, according to the National Institute on Drug Abuse. For instance: Drug abuse can cause people to experience one or more symptoms of another mental illness. For example, there is an increased risk of psychosis in some marijuana users.Mental disorders can lead to drug or alcohol abuse because some people use substances to self-medicate. For instance, tobacco products sometimes lessen the symptoms of schizophrenia and may improve cognition. There also is some evidence that indicates that addictions and mental illnesses are caused by underlying brain deficits, genetic influences, and/or exposure to trauma early in life.? For instance, it is estimated that  40 to 60 percent of a persons vulnerability to addiction can be attributed to genetics. There also  are several regions of the human genome that have been linked to an increased risk both for substance abuse and mental illness. Another common factor between mental health issues and addiction is the age at which the symptoms appear. During the teen years, people are still developing, maturing, and growing. As a result, significant changes in the brain occur during adolescence. For instance, teenagers are more prone to take risks and act impulsively. These behaviors, while common among teens, can influence the  risk of addiction and other mental disorders. Finally,  people who are physically or emotionally traumatized are at a much higher risk of substance abuse and possibly even addiction. This connection is particularly concerning for veterans returning to the country. In fact, one in five military servicemen and women coming back from Iraq and Afghanistan have reported symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) or major depression. Some studies suggest that half of all veterans diagnosed with PTSD also have a co-occurring substance abuse problem. Why It Is Difficult to Diagnose Both Conditions Co-occurring disorders are sometimes difficult to diagnose. One reason is that the symptoms are often complex and can vary in severity. As a result, it is not uncommon for  people to receive treatment for one disorder while the other disorder remains untreated. Sometimes this happens because the symptoms are so similar or overlap. In other words, both mental health issues and addiction can have similar biological, psychological, and social components. Another reason for not diagnosing both conditions might include inadequate  training or screening.  In any case, the consequences of undiagnosed, untreated, or undertreated co-occurring disorders can lead to a higher likelihood of experiencing homelessness, jail time, medical illnesses, and even suicide. Whats more, people with mental health issues who also abuse substances like drugs or alcohol are at an increased risk for impulsive or violent acts. They are also are more likely to develop an addiction and end up in legal trouble. And achieving lasting sobriety is  increasingly difficult for them. Treatment When Comorbidity Exists Research suggests that co-occurring  conditions need to be treated at the same time. In fact, for the best outcome, it helps when people with both an addiction and a mental health issue  receive integrated treatment. With integrated treatment, doctors and counselors can address and treat both disorders at the same time. This, in turn, often lowers treatment costs and creates better outcomes for patients. Whats more, early detection and treatment of both conditions can greatly improve the persons recovery and  quality of life. However, it is important to note that  people who have both an addiction  and another mental illness often have symptoms that are more persistent, severe  and resistant to treatment compared with patients who have either disorder alone. For this reason, maintaining sobriety may be very difficult for them. Get Treatment From the 9 Best Online Therapy Programs A Word From Verywell Making a correct diagnosis of both an addiction and a mental health issue is vitally important to a patients success. When this occurs, his chance of recovery increases. ?But there needs to be increased awareness of comorbidity for this to occur. Too many times, one of the conditions goes undiagnosed and untreated.  Once the treatment for co-existing conditions improves though, this will help reduce the social stigma that makes people so reluctant to pursue the treatment that they need.