Co-Occurring Disorder: Where Addiction Meets An Underlying Mental Condition

When riding the wave of addiction through the brewing waters of an underlying mental health condition, it creates a phenomenon that is almost always chaotic, leaving a subtle trail of destruction in its path. The chaotic complex is known as a co-occurring disorder. It presents a unique challenge for the victims and healthcare practitioners because there is no healing without detailed dissection. This is why understanding co-occurring disorders is crucial, as you can not help its victims without simplifying their bi-roots.

Co-occurring disorders are plaguing our world faster than you think because of the need to alleviate pain. Studies have shown that more than 50% of people with mental health conditions are likely to use drugs to alleviate symptoms rather than any other method, and nearly half have battled with substance use disorder at some point in their lives. Most times, these drugs only alleviate the symptoms temporarily, and anytime an individual feels their symptoms again, they go back to the drugs. This is why the rise of co-occurring disorders is not surprising. 

A woman grappling with the weight of a co-occurring disorder (tCaPC)

Understanding the relationship between mental health and addiction 

Before we dissect the phenomena of co-occurring disorders, we need to understand the relationship between mental health and addiction and how they can facilitate each other. 

Substance abuse leads to mental health disorders 

Substance abuse is the use of drugs without a doctor's prescription. It is more like self-medication to alleviate a temporary uneasy feeling. However, before trickling into substance abuse, let's discuss substance use in general, even with the doctor's prescription, and how your mind reacts to it. The prolonged and continuous use of drugs or alcohol can affect the brain’s chemistry, resulting in cognitive functional changes (weird behaviors), frequent mood swings, and significant behavioral changes. Sometimes, you don't know you have changed so much till you find yourself taking an action you would have never even considered. 

When you excessively take substances meant to disrupt the state of the mind like alcohol, you end up with depressive symptoms and anxiety when the fog of temporal happiness leaves you. Individuals battling with substance abuse also rack up problems in other aspects of their lives. For instance, they can run into debt, trying to get money for the substance they are addicted to. They can even go as far as breaking the law to satisfy their addictions. However, while they know that they need help, the stigma that comes with addiction makes it hard for them to seek help. 

Mental health disorders leading to substance abuse 

Many profound mental health conditions like bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, psychosis, and chronic anxiety have loads of disturbing symptoms that only the use of drugs may not cure, even if it is recommended by a health practitioner. Individuals with these mental health conditions take certain substances to fight the overwhelming nature of these conditions. These substances can be drugs, alcohol, or even food. For instance, an individual battling with anxiety may take alcohol, or even hard drugs to feel more comfortable. Since they get to interact with people almost every day, they may need these substances practically every day, leading to excessive substance abuse. 

While certain substances can help to temporarily relieve uneasiness, excessive and constant use of these substances can make your condition worse in the long run. For instance, substances like hard drugs and alcohol can do a lot worse to your body system and mental health faster than any other factor. 

The inner turmoil of battling both addiction and mental health issues (tCaPC)

Diagnosis and Treatment 

Diagnosing co-occurring disorders is a little bit tricky, even for health practitioners. You have to go to observe symptoms or believe whatever the patient tells you. Many times, the symptoms of mental health disorders and substance abuse are similar, so you can not say which one is for what. Other times, the patient may try to hide or downplay symptoms – out of the fear of condemnation – making it harder for the health practitioner to determine a diagnosis. Once diagnosed, treatment may be complex because you can not focus on one and leave the other. If you focus on the treatment of the underlying mental disorder, despite their similarities, what of the substance abuse? You have to target both issues and deal with them. Below are ways to combat co-occurring disorders.

Integrated treatment plan 

After a comprehensive diagnosis by an expert health practitioner, using the full history of the patient's mental health conditions and substance use, an integrated plan is created. This plan consists of psychotherapy, medication, and other forms of support for the patient. It is a personalized plan, unique to the individual.

Psychotherapy: When treating co-occurring disorders, you want to address patterns and behavior that can make the individual relapse. The best form of therapy for this plan is Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT). It addresses thought patterns, especially the ones that would make you think that alcohol provided a lasting solution to your problem. CBT helps you change negative behaviors that are paramount to substance abuse and mental health disorders.

Medication: While the constant use of medical substances can lead to substance abuse, doctors can prescribe medication in some cases with strict dosages. For instance, antidepressants might be prescribed for depression, while medications like naltrexone or buprenorphine can be used to treat opioid addiction.

Support Systems: Individuals struggling with co-occurring disorders need support systems to help with their treatment and recovery. Close family and friends can be there, or Support groups such as Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) or Dual Recovery Anonymous (DRA).

A therapy session focused on addressing co-occurring disorders (tCaPC)

Relapse Prevention Plan

Co-occurring disorder does not go away after a few therapy sessions and some medication. It requires patience and utmost mental health care to prevent relapse. Therefore, after the integrated treatment plan, patients should continue regular therapy, lean on their support group, and practice medication control. Relapse Prevention strategies like learning a new skill in a new environment, or keeping yourself busy can also play a big role in preventing triggers.

Conclusion 

Like many disorders, it is important to catch co-occurring disorders early to commence treatment early. When individuals struggle with co-occurring disorders for a long time without treatment or diagnosis, their symptoms get worse and harder to work on. Without treatment, individuals with co-occurring disorders would not care about the negative consequences of substance abuse. They are only focused on reliving the pain or the uneasiness, even if it's for a short time.