If you’ve ever felt like your anxiety fuels your drinking, or that drugs are the only way to quiet feelings of depression, you're not alone. One national study showed that around 35% of adults with a mental health condition also have a substance use disorder (SUD). This is known as co-occurring disorders, or having a dual diagnosis. It’s not a sign of weakness; it’s a common and treatable situation.

Co-occurring disorders make treatment and recovery more complex, but still possible. Integrated treatment addresses both substance use and mental health issues at the same time.

A co-occurring disorder is when a person has both a substance use disorder (such as alcohol or drug addiction) and a mental health condition (like depression, anxiety, or ADHD) at the same time. For years, these issues were often treated separately, which made it difficult for people to get better. Many people also enter addiction treatment without ever having had a diagnosis of a mental health condition, but receive one when they're evaluated. These conditions are deeply intertwined and must be treated together because the relationship between substance use and mental health is so complex.

Everyone has a different experience with their mental health and substance use. How you started drinking or using drugs may be totally different from someone else's

• Self-medication: Sometimes a person starts using drugs or alcohol to cope with their mental health, whether they've been diagnosed or not. Alcohol might temporarily numb feelings of sadness, or prescription pills might quiet racing thoughts. Over time, this can lead to dependence.
• Substance-induced issues: In other cases, heavy substance use can trigger or worsen symptoms of a mental health disorder. Mood and psychotic disorders can both stem from drug or alcohol use.
• Shared risk factors: Both addiction and mental health conditions can be influenced by shared factors like genetics, chronic stress, or trauma.

Since substances can temporarily make mental health symptoms less intense, it often becomes a difficult cycle where each condition makes the other worse.

While any combination of SUD and mental health is possible, some pairings are more common than others. Recognizing these connections can be the first step toward seeking the right kind of help.

• Depression and addiction: Feelings of hopelessness, sadness, and fatigue are normal with depression. A person might turn to alcohol or other drugs to escape these feelings, but substances worsen depression in the long run.
• Anxiety and addiction: For people struggling with panic attacks, social anxiety, or constant worry, substances may feel like a quick fix. However, they create a cycle of dependence and can cause rebound anxiety when the substance wears off.
• ADHD and addiction: ADHD affects a person's ability to focus, regulate emotions, and control impulsive behaviors, which can be triggers for substance use. Nearly a quarter of people with substance use disorder are reported to have ADHD.
• Bipolar disorder and addiction: The mood swings of bipolar disorder, from manic highs to depressive lows, are destabilizing. Substance use might be used to try to manage these shifts, but can trigger more severe episodes and increase relapse risk.

The most effective way to treat co-occurring disorders is by taking an integrated approach. This means your treatment team will create a care plan to address both the substance use disorder and the mental health condition at the same time in the same place at the same time. Integrated care treats you as a whole person, giving you the tools that matter to your recovery journey.

Integrated treatment is built on several core components:

Comprehensive assessment and medical detox

Your journey begins with a thorough evaluation to understand your story. From there, the top priority is your physical safety. Medical detox provides 24/7 supervision to help you withdraw from substances comfortably and safely before beginning the deeper therapeutic work.

Coordinated medication management

Medication can be safe and effective for many people in recovery. This may include psychiatric medications to stabilize your mood or reduce anxiety, as well as medication-assisted treatment (MAT). MAT uses FDA-approved medications like buprenorphine or naltrexone to reduce cravings and withdrawal symptoms from substances like alcohol or opioids.

Evidence-based psychotherapies

Psychotherapy (talk therapy) is the heart of addiction treatment. In our integrated program at Sheridan Grove Recovery, we use therapies proven to be effective for co-occurring disorders, such as:

• Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT): Helps you identify and change negative thought patterns and behaviors that fuel both addiction and mental health symptoms.
• Dialectical behavior therapy (DBT): Teaches skills in mindfulness, distress tolerance, and emotional regulation, which are especially helpful for those with intense emotions.
• Acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT): Focuses on acceptance and mindfulness techniques to help individuals live a fulfilling life while managing mental health symptoms.
• Motivational interviewing (MI): Helps you explore your own motivations for change and build motivation for recovery.

Your treatment should fit your needs. You won't have to know what kind of treatment you need when you contact Sheridan Grove Recovery. Our admissions team will help you find the right level of care for your specific needs.

• Medical detox: A clinically supervised program makes it safer and more comfortable to manage withdrawal symptoms before starting the next leg of treatment.
• Residential treatment: A highly structured, 24/7 supportive environment. Residential treatment is often the best starting point for those with severe co-occurring disorders, as it provides safety and intensive therapeutic support.
• Outpatient programs (IOP/PHP): These programs offer a high level of care while you live at home. They are a great option for stepping down from residential treatment or for those with strong support systems.
• Case Management and Aftercare: A case manager helps you navigate every aspect of your care, from medical needs to housing. After you complete a program, a strong aftercare plan provides ongoing support to prevent relapse and maintain your progress.

We offer medical detox and residential treatment at our center in Aurora, CO. During treatment, we'll help you create an aftercare plan so you know what your next steps are, which might include outpatient treatment at another center.

If you live with both addiction and a mental health condition, it can feel like you're in a cycle that you can't escape. It’s easy to feel overwhelmed and uncertain about the future. But there is hope, and healing is possible. You don’t have to choose which part of yourself to help first.

The licensed professionals at Sheridan Grove Recovery are experienced in treating co-occurring disorders with respect and clinical excellence. We're here to help you take the next steps on your journey with courage and support. Call us at 303.268.2987 or reach out to our team online so we can help you move forward.