Why me? If you’re struggling with an alcohol or drug addiction, you’ve probably asked yourself this question often. Why are you more drawn to alcohol or drugs than others? The truth is that there is a link between drug or alcohol use and mental health problems. This means that you may be more likely to struggle with addiction if you have underlying mental health issues like anxiety, depression or bipolar disorder.
When people have a mental health condition and also struggle with addiction, this is called a co-occurring disorder. And in order to overcome the challenges of a co-occurring disorder, you’ll need to address the root causes. At Authentic Recovery Center, we specialize in helping individuals identify the core issues that lead to the addiction. In treatment, you’ll learn new strategies and coping skills as you learn how to better manage your mental health. This will set you up for success and help you avoid relapsing back into drug or alcohol use.
Having a co-occurring disorder means that you struggle with both an addiction and a mental health disorder. You may have started using drugs or alcohol to curb bad feelings related to your mental health, or your drug or alcohol use may have been so extreme that it led to the mental health disorder. Sometimes, the issues all start occurring at the same time.
While this is by no means an exhaustive list, here are the signs and symptoms of co-occurring disorders to watch for:
- Turning to alcohol or drugs to cope when feeling sad or lonely
- Manic episodes
- Inability to sleep
- Malnutrition
- Disorientation and confusion
- Anger and aggression
- Inability to focus
- Weight loss or gain
- Paranoia
- Suicidal thoughts
Remember, there are many other signs of co-occurring disorders. If you are concerned about yourself or a loved one, and think treatment is the answer, please reach out to us for more information.
At Authentic Recovery Center, we understand the importance of addressing the root causes of your addiction and are here to help you overcome both your addiction and any co-occurring mental health disorders.
When you start treatment with us, our experienced therapists will work with you to understand your primary concerns and challenges. Working collaboratively, we will identify and address both your addiction and your underlying mental health issues. You’ll also find support from peers who are dealing with similar issues.
With the combination of medication, support groups and therapy, we can tailor a program for you that will address your co-occurring issues and get you started on your journey to life-long recovery.
