What Is Co-occuring Disorder?
A person who has both an alcohol or drug problem and an emotional/psychiatric problem is said to have a co-occuring disorder. These conditions occur together frequently. In particular, alcohol and drug problems tend to occur with:
- Depression
- Anxiety disorders
- Schizophrenia
- Personality disorders
Often the psychiatric problem develops first. In an attempt to feel calmer, more peppy, or more cheerful, a person with emotional symptoms may drink or use drugs; doctors call this “self-medication.” In other cases, alcohol or drug dependency is the primary condition. A person whose substance abuse problem has become severe may develop symptoms of a psychiatric disorder: perhaps episodes of depression, fits of rage, hallucinations, or suicide attempts.
How Common Is Co-occuring Disorder?
Co-occuring disorder is more common than you might imagine. According to a report published by the Journal of the American Medical Association*:
37% of alcohol abusers and 53% of drug abusers also have at least one serious mental illness.
Of all people diagnosed as mentally ill, 29% abuse either alcohol or drugs.
Sometimes the mental problem occurs first. This can lead people to use alcohol or drugs that make them feel better temporarily. Sometimes the substance abuse occurs first. Over time, that can lead to emotional and mental problems.Read more about co-occuring disorder >>
Is there help?
Yes. To recover fully, someone with a co-occuring disorder must treat both conditions. First, the person must go for a period of time without using alcohol or drugs. This is called detoxification. The next step is rehabilitation for the substance problem and treatment for the mental disorder. This step might include medicines, support groups and talk therapy.
Information provided by the National Institutes of Health