Substance abuse and mental health

Mental illness has a potentially devastating companion. Substance abuse and dependence are common in people who are struggling with their mental health. According to the National Alliance on Mental Illness, 29 percent of those who are diagnosed as mentally ill abuse either alcohol or drugs. That's almost one-third. Looking at it the other way around, over one-third of all alcohol abusers and more than one-half of all drug abusers struggle with mental illness.

  

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This creates an entire population of mental health patients with very distinctive needs. Treating a mental illness becomes much more difficult when substance abuse and dependence are involved. If you have a predisposition towards a certain illness, but it has yet to manifest, substances can trigger it. When you are already struggling, substances can make your symptoms worse. On the other hand, mental illness can make you want to self-medicate and thus can cause a substance abuse problem. The two feed into each other.

When you are abusing or dependent on a substance, you cannot engage in treatment for your mental illness in the same way you can when sober. Your mind will simply not work the way it needs to in order for you to heal from your mental health issues. In addition, sometimes these substances can interfere some with medications. This is why it is so important
                                                                                                                  to get help for substance abuse problems. 

There are, of course, rehab and treatment centers specifically for detoxing. For some people, this is the best route to go. But it's worth knowing that there are also treatment facilities that cater specifically to people with the dual diagnosis of mental illness and substance abuse. There are entire programs that are designed to help with the specific needs of this population. When evaluating facilities, ask about these types of programs. Some of them will be listed as psychiatric hospitals, so don't rule those out when you are searching for a treatment center.

More in-depth information on substance abuse and mental illness can be found at the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration's website. You can also call them at 1-800-662-4357. The primary purposes of this helpline is to refer people to treatment options in their area. The National Institute on Drug Abuse offers a helpful guide for evaluating treatment centers on this page.

Have you or someone you love experienced problems with both mental illness and substance abuse? Share your stories and insights in the comments.