When Mental Illness and Substance Abuse Go Together
An issue I’m exploring more and more in my studies is mental illness, and how so often it coincides with substance abuse and addiction. I’ve found that the two possess several similarities, both in how they present and how they should be addressed. Both carry a stigma and a fair amount a shame.
Understanding dual diagnosis
In exploring this issue, I wasn’t surprised to learn how common it is. Experts at dualdiagnosis.org site a “definite connection between mental illness and the use of addictive substances.” And according to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Association, 43.6 million American adults experienced some form of mental illness. In the past year, 20.2 million adults had a substance use disorder. Of these, 7.9 million people had both a mental disorder and substance use disorder.
One of the reasons it is so common is that when people are experiencing mental health issues they often turn to drugs and alcohol. Instead of dealing with what they find to be disruptive or uncomfortable, they look to mask the symptoms and make the pain go away.
What does this look like? Experts say for many it’s using marijuana to alleviate depression, or drinking too much to feel more comfortable in social situations. For those with panic attacks and anxiety, it may be abuse of Xanax or Valium in order to keep calm. Or it could be people who are struggling with lack of energy and motivation to turn to Adderall, cocaine or crystal meth.
At the same time, substances can create mental health symptoms like paranoia, delusions or depression. It can be a vicious circle, and one condition can trigger the other.
In addition, with depression, anxiety, and low energy being so pervasive in our society it’s almost surprising that substance abuse isn’t even more of an issue. It’s also an indicator that it’s likely we all know someone challenged by this dual diagnosis. In my studies, I’m learning what we can all do to help.
Know the scope. It helps to understand that your loved one is not alone. It’s been found that 50% of individuals with severe mental disorders are affected by substance abuse. In addition, 37% of alcohol abusers and 53% of drug abusers also have at least one serious mental illness.
Empathize. What I’ve discovered in my own journey is how people see issues through a lens of shame. Shame resiliency plays a huge part in our recovery, and it can be compounded if we’re also dealing with mental health issues of depression, panic attacks or anxiety. We are struggling with not only the disorder, but our own ability to cope with it without drugs and alcohol. People are battling two demons and feeling like failures across two fronts.
Get support. If you or someone you know is facing this dual diagnosis, reach out and contact someone. There are a ton of resources out there, and there are treatment programs specifically designed to address mental health and addiction. Don’t try to take everything on by yourself. Look for help and accept it.
Finally, have hope. Experts advise that mental disorders and alcohol and drug abuse problems are treatable. It takes “time, commitment, and courage, but people with substance abuse and mental health problems can and do get better.”
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