What are Co-Occurring Disorders?

Co-occurring disorders are simultaneous struggles, typically from a mental health and addiction standpoint. Co-occurring disorders are also often referred to as dual diagnoses. Avedis Recovery provides Los Angeles residents with help for substance use disorders. We know we must also treat mental health issues often at the root of substance misuse. If you or another is suffering from substance abuse and mental health, call us. You or your loved one can benefit from the help of an addiction treatment center. Avedis Recovery incorporates a mental health treatment program into all our addiction rehab programs. Reach out to the compassionate medical professionals at Avedis Recovery. Connect online or call 833.514.0579 today to discuss how to treat co-occurring disorders. We pride ourselves on helping you overcome, recover and live a happier, healthier life.

What Are The Most Common Co-Occurring Disorders?

SAMSHA conducted a 2019 National Survey on Drug Use and Health. Almost half of people with a serious mental illness have reported engaging in drug or alcohol abuse. Living with mental illness can push people to mask their suffering with drugs and/or alcohol. This puts them at a higher risk of developing a substance use disorder. Mental health and addiction issues must be addressed to get clean and sober and start toward a complete recovery.

From grief and guilt to anger and self-esteem, countless intense emotions can lead to addiction issues. But when it comes to co-occurring disorders, the commonly diagnosed mental health issues that go hand-in-hand with addiction are:

Anxiety Disorder

A generalized anxiety disorder is often assigned to people who experience frequent and recurring anxiety, panic attacks, sleep issues, and restlessness. Attempting to live with this level of intense anxiety has the potential to cause you to rely on drugs or alcohol. Many use substances as a way of coping with the pain and negative thoughts and as means of functioning socially.

Eating Disorder

Anorexia and bulimia are common co-occurring disorders found in people who also require treatment for addiction. If you have an unhealthy relationship with food, body dysmorphic issues, and develop an eating disorder, you may turn to stimulants or diet pills, along with alcohol, to suppress your appetite and increase your confidence in social situations.

ADHD

It is usually kids and young adults diagnosed with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Impulsive behavior, a lack of focus, and hyperactivity identify this disorder. Unfortunately, a co-occurring disorder emerges when young people begin to abuse their prescription medications and then turn to alcohol or other drugs to further self-medicate to minimize the symptoms and function socially.

Bipolar disorder

People suffering from bipolar disorder are particularly susceptible to alcohol and drug addiction because of the chemical imbalance in their brains. This imbalance causes uncontrollable episodes of depression and mania, often leading to self-medicating with substances to minimize the swing from one extreme to another. Unfortunately, this usually produces an increase in manic episodes and leads to severe addiction, which Avedis Recovery can treat as a co-occurring disorder to help you regain control over your life.

PTSD

You may have experienced an event or series of moments, like being in a war or suffering a violent crime, that has caused you to suffer from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). This extreme stress is sometimes life-threatening and too often sees people opting to reduce their PTSD symptoms with drugs or alcohol. Even if the substances temporarily mask the issues, an addiction can form, leading to a greater emotional imbalance. Treating mental health and addiction simultaneously as co-occurring disorders is one way to restore balance in your mental and physical well-being.

How Are Co-Occurring Disorders Treated?

While the treatment plan for your dual diagnosis in our Los Angeles office will be tailored to your specific situation and needs, there are common methods of concurrently treating mental health and addiction. As our skilled medical team works to provide you with a safe and sustainable plan to eliminate your alcohol or drug abuse while also treating the underlying causes of the addiction, the following approaches may be used:

• Detox
• Cognitive-behavioral therapy
• Intensive outpatient program
• Medication-assisted treatment
• Group therapy
• Holistic treatments
• Life skills training
• Aftercare

Learn More at Avedis Detox

If you or someone you love is suffering from mental health and addiction, learn how treating the co-occurring issues together at Avedis Detox can start rebuilding a life. Contact us using our secure online form or at 833.514.0579 today.