Addiction is often thought of as a physical condition—one that involves cravings, withdrawal symptoms, and the repeated use of a substance. But its impact goes far beyond the body, profoundly affecting mental health as well. Whether someone has a history of mental illness or not, addiction can lead to considerable psychological challenges. Let’s take a closer look at the complex relationship between addiction and mental health, and how integrated treatment for co-occurring disorders can help.
Understanding the Connection
Addiction and mental health disorders intersect in many ways. It’s particularly evident in cases of dual diagnosis when a person has either a substance use disorder (SUD) or alcohol use disorder (AUD) as well as a mental health disorder.
According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA), “many people who develop substance use disorders are also diagnosed with other mental health disorders, and vice versa. According to the 2023 National Survey on Drug Use and Health, 35% of adults aged 18 and over in the U.S. who have a mental disorder also have a substance use disorder.” Conditions include, but aren’t limited to:
- Anxiety
- Borderline and antisocial personality disorders
- Depression
- Disorders of psychosis
- Post-traumatic stress disorder
Neuroscience News notes that the brain’s reward system is heavily impacted by substance use, affecting mood regulation, decision-making, and stress responses. Over time, the changes in brain chemistry caused by substance use can result in mental health conditions.
The NIDA also points out that many of the same risk factors exist between AUD, SUD, and mental health issues. For example:
- Adverse childhood experiences. An estimated “30% of adults with substance use disorder had childhood trauma including emotional abuse, sexual abuse, emotional neglect, or physical neglect,” the agency states.
- Inherited characteristics. Up to 60% of mental, emotional, and addiction disorders share genetic markers.
- Stress and trauma. Unresolved trauma is a common symptom that some struggling individuals may face or uncover during treatment.
Conversely, chronic drug or alcohol use disrupts brain chemistry, particularly neurotransmitters involved in mood regulation. The NIDA states that “substance use can lead to changes in some of the same brain areas that are disrupted in other mental disorders, such as schizophrenia, anxiety, mood, or impulse-control disorders.”
The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration reports that “people with mental illness are at a higher risk of developing an SUD or AUD compared to those without mental illness. Similarly, individuals with substance use disorders are particularly vulnerable to developing primary conditions or chronic diseases.”
Why Integrated Treatment Is Vital to Long-Term Health
The NIDA explains that “diagnosing and treating co-occurring substance use and other mental disorders is complex, because people may have overlapping symptoms. People who have co-occurring disorders often have symptoms that are more persistent, severe, and resistant to treatment compared with patients who have either disorder alone.”
Traditional addiction treatments, which focus primarily on breaking the cycle of substance use, may not be enough to address underlying psychological issues. On the other hand, mental health treatments that don’t account for addiction may fail to treat the root causes of the individual’s substance use.
So an off-the-shelf approach won’t work. Comprehensive, individualized treatment focuses on addressing both the mental health disorder and the addiction simultaneously to improve outcomes, reduce relapse rates, and enhance the overall quality of life for people with co-occurring disorders.
The Cleveland Clinic notes that cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) and dialectical behavior therapy (DBT) are often effective tools for individuals with dual diagnosis. These therapies help individuals understand the interplay between their mental health and substance use, teaching coping skills and strategies for managing both conditions. “If you’re experiencing a dependent pattern of substance use along with a mental health condition, you may benefit from a dual diagnosis treatment center,” the agency adds.
Turn to Northern Path For Integrated Quality Care
There are numerous health consequences of addiction, and different substances create various effects that are often hard to pin down without professional intervention. Understanding the psychological toll addiction can take is crucial in offering effective treatment that addresses both aspects of the condition.
At Northern Path Recovery Center in Fort Wayne, IN, we can help. Our board-certified professionals recognize that every person’s journey to recovery is shaped by personal circumstances, so we design an individualized treatment plan for each client. Our services include evidence-based therapies such as CBT, DBT, and motivational interviewing to address the underlying, interconnected causes of addiction and mental health issues. If you or a loved one needs this thorough treatment approach to achieve whole-person wellness, contact our admissions team today.
