Many people who suffer from substance use disorder also suffer from a mental health disorder. Whether the addiction was brought on by the mental health disorder or the other way around, suffering from both a mental illness and a drug or alcohol addiction is called a co-occurring disorder.
If you are suffering from addiction and co-occurring disorders in Anaheim or throughout the greater California area, it is important to address both at the same time to ensure you get the proper treatment.
Addressing Addiction and Co-Occurring Disorders
According to the Journal of the American Medical Association, nearly half of all people who suffer from a severe mental health disorder also suffer from substance abuse.
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Many who suffer from a mental health condition don’t seek out the proper treatment to address their struggles, instead choosing to self-medicate by using drugs and alcohol to feel better and more “normal”. While this might seem effective and even work for short periods of time, long-term it can actually make the mental health disorder worse, while also increasing the risk of substance abuse and addiction.
On the flip side, repeated drug and alcohol use and abuse can change the chemical makeup of the brain over time. While it is not as common, in some instances alcohol or drug abuse can actually cause the development of a mental health condition.
Why It’s Important to Address Underlying Issues
Understanding and addressing your mental health issues early on can help make the overall treatment process more successful. It can also help prevent the issue from spiraling out of control and leading to additional issues such as substance abuse.
While counseling and therapy are often the most successful treatment plans mental health treatment, talking to someone you don’t know might not be the preferred method for everyone.
If you don’t feel comfortable talking to a stranger, you might find comfort in talking about your struggles with the people closest to you. Or, you might find comfort in addressing your struggles in a non-vocal manner such as by practicing mindfulness and meditation or even journaling.
Regardless of how you choose to address your mental health struggles, doing so in a timely and healthy fashion is important.
Ongoing Support for Those Struggling Addiction and Co-Occurring Disorders
If you find yourself struggling with both substance abuse and your mental health it’s important to remember that it is never too late to get the help that you need. There are treatment facilities throughout California that specialize in co-occurring disorder treatment such as substance use disorder and mental health conditions.
The most effective treatment approach for co-occurring disorders is an integrated treatment where you address them both simultaneously. Regardless of which came first, the substance abuse problem or the mental health condition, they must both be addressed in order for treatment to be effective.
Learn More About Addiction and Co-Occurring Disorders at Restorations Health Care in Anaheim, CA
Unfortunately, many people who struggle with their mental health don’t get the proper treatment they need. Instead, they often turn to drugs and/or alcohol as a way to self-medicate so that they can feel better. This can not only cause their mental health condition to worsen but can also lead to substance abuse and addiction.
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If you or a loved one is suffering from co-occurring disorders in Anaheim or throughout California, and are looking to start the recovery process, look no further than Restorations Health Care.
We are a drug and alcohol inpatient detox and residential addiction treatment center serving Anaheim and the greater Southern California area. For more information on the treatment programs that we offer, including treatment for co-occurring disorders, call us at 877-578-0708, fill out a contact form on our website, or speak to one of our live chat representatives.
