Addiction Doesn’t Live Alone: The Link Between Substance Use and Mental Health

For too many people who need treatment, the relationship between substance use and mental health can become like an all-consuming fire. The flames cannot be extinguished from only one side, as wider treatment is needed to soothe symptoms of both addiction and mental health, before they fuel one another.

Are addiction and mental health linked?

We are not being hyperbolic when we state that addiction does not live alone. The link between substance use disorders (SUDs) and mental health problems is tragically common. The overwhelming majority of research highlights a high prevalence of serious mental health problems for those fighting a battle with addiction. SAMHSA’s research indicates more than one in four adults with a mental health condition also have a substance use problem. These can include, but are not limited to:

• Anxiety disorders
• Depression
• Personality disorders
• Schizophrenia

The relationship is both complex and bidirectional. Struggling with mental health can lead to drugs being used as a coping strategy, while addiction itself frequently paves the way for further psychological instability and emotional distress.

We’ll look at both perspectives, in which one may function as a cause and a result of the other, as well as the need for integrated treatment to begin bidirectional healing.

How mental health issues ignite the fire of addiction

It is not always the case that a person develops a mental illness or condition from a long-standing addiction. A person may struggle with a mental health issue throughout childhood and find a form of solace and escape from painful symptoms later, especially in late adolescence and early twenties.

Here are some specific conditions and how the battle with them can become a driving force for substance abuse and addiction:

Depression and schizophrenia leading to substance dependence

Research from The Center of American Health suggests that those with a mental illness, such as clinical depression, are twice as likely to develop a substance use disorder (SUD). Some people can suffer from major depressive disorder (MDD), which affects countless aspects of their lives, including their sleep, appetite and ability to think clearly.

For those suffering from schizophrenia, research shows that up to 50% exhibit alcohol or illicit drug dependence, as well as 70% become nicotine-dependent. Findings on the characteristics of those who suffer from schizophrenia show that younger males with lower education levels are at greater risk for substance abuse. However, research states that addicted women with schizophrenia may be insufficiently identified, as they may be less likely to obtain substance abuse treatment.

PTSD and the urge to escape trauma

Studies have found that people with mental disorders like anxiety, depression and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) turn to drugs and alcohol as a form of self-soothing. We can see that the damage of substance use here is often twofold. Firstly, although the substance may temporarily help with some symptoms of mental disorders, it eventually makes the symptoms worse over time. Secondly, brain changes in people suffering from mental disorders can enhance the rewarding effects of the drug in question, making it more likely they’ll continue taking it.

How addictions, in turn, worsen mental health

Addictions, of course, do not only stem from mental health struggles. A person may be living a very healthy life, practically free from any trace of mental health issues. Someone might innocuously try a substance once or twice with friends and not even realise when addiction has started to take hold, feeling that the risks to their mental health have slipped past them.

That may be the case for a lucky few, but the majority of people with a substance use disorder will inevitably begin to tread the path of worsened mental health over time. Here are some of the knock-on effects as substance addictions develop.

The importance of dual diagnosis treatment

A person might attempt to quit substance use on their own and fail, leading to plummeting self-esteem and a cascade of emotions. Without support, people are often left managing two escalating conditions at once, each feeding the other’s fire.

This is why recognising the overlap is so important. To fully heal, it’s often a prerequisite for both issues to be addressed together instead of being treated in isolation. Clinical psychologists and treatment providers call this dual diagnosis, co-occurring disorders, or co-morbidity.

Dual diagnoses need integrated treatment, where both the substance use and mental health conditions are addressed at the same time. Very often, it takes a trained professional to understand the complex ways the disorders interact. This is why so many rehab centres extend their focus to care plans that integrate therapy and aftercare.

With the right dual diagnosis programme, a person can benefit from:

• Personalised care plans that acknowledge the bidirectional relationship between substance use disorders and mental health conditions.
• Expert-led therapy that digs deep into the root causes of addictive behaviours, such as cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT), dialectical behavioural therapy (DBT) and trauma-informed therapy.
• Medication may be prescribed by treatment providers for one or both conditions. There may be drugs to help soothe the symptoms of both sides of the dual diagnosis. Prescription is at the professional discretion of your treatment provider or GP.
• Ongoing aftercare is in place in most rehab centres. This will prepare you for the emotional ups and downs that inevitably happen in life after treatment. Support groups can be used to help both your body and mind as you treat the winding road of complete recovery.

For anyone caught in the bidirectional pressure of mental health issues and addiction, treatment may be needed for the whole person, not just the symptoms. There may be an increased risk of relapse when one issue is left untreated, but a complete recovery is possible when you have the right professional support behind you.

Where can I find help for co-occurring disorders?

If you’re trapped in the cycle of addiction and mental health struggles, it can feel like there’s no way out. If you need someone, please know that we are here for you and you don’t have to suffer alone, or choose which part of you deserves help first.

At UKAT, our treatment includes specialised dual diagnosis care that treats both addiction and mental health simultaneously. If you’re facing anxiety, depression, PTSD or another mental condition, our team is ready to give you the complete, comprehensive support you need.

There’s no such thing as being “too far gone” to get better. Reach out to UKAT today and begin your journey to full recovery, in mind and body.