What Is Co-Occurring Disorder Treatment and Why Is It Important?
Understanding the Overlap
Mental health and substance use often go hand in hand. Often, individuals struggling with their mental health may use substances as a coping tool. And alternatively, substance use may impact how we feel. Known as co-occurring disorders, this reciprocal co-dependent relationship only tends to worsen mental health—and as mental health declines, one’s reliance on substances typically increases.
Integrated treatment is critical when it comes to co-occurring disorders. Both mental health and substance use need to be addressed simultaneously in order for an individual to heal. But, barriers to mental health treatment often make it difficult to seek help. Especially in Oregon, where there is a specific need for co-occurring disorder treatment.
This blog will explore the concept of co-occurring disorders, the importance of focusing on mental health, and how Insight Northwest Recovery's (INR) integrated treatment program can help individuals struggling with mental health and substance use live life to the fullest.
What Are Co-Occurring Disorders?
Due to a lack of access to mental health care, some individuals may use substances to self-medicate. However, a reliance on substances to manage mental health almost always leads to a decline in mental health and the potential development of addiction.
Co-occurring disorders (also called dual diagnosis) refer to the coexistence of a substance use disorder and a mental health disorder. Such disorders are quite prevalent.
According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA), “Over 50% of individuals with a substance use disorder also have a co-occurring mental health condition” (2023).
In short, half of the individuals who use substances may often unknowingly use them to manage a mental health condition, which tends to only further mental health decline.
Examples of common combinations include the following:
Anxiety + alcohol use
Depression + stimulant use
PTSD + cannabis dependency
Since mental health and substance use often go hand in hand, the presence of both disorders can worsen the progression of each.
For example, alcohol use to manage anxiety may only further exacerbate symptoms of anxiety. This is why the disorders are viewed as co-occurring, so the focus is to treat both simultaneously in order to prevent further decline.
Why Mental Health Should Come First
With Co-occurring Disorders, substance use often trails an underlying mental health issue. Many people use substances to self-medicate for anxiety, depression, or trauma. As with the examples above, individuals may find themselves treating their anxiety with alcohol, their depression with stimulants, or their PTSD with cannabis. Substances can quickly become a coping tool.
In Oregon, limited access to mental health care is a major barrier—in fact, Oregon is ranked 49th in access to care. Understandably, the difficulty in finding mental health care can make individuals more reliant on substance use to manage symptoms of their disorder.
Since individuals may unknowingly treat their anxiety or depression with substances, mental health struggles often lead people to seek help before they recognize substance abuse is a factor in their mental health decline. Individuals who cope by drinking alcohol or taking stimulants are often unaware that their substance use is worsening their mental health.
Signs & Risks:
Signs someone may be using substances to manage mental health symptoms include:
daily reliance on the substance
riskier use
increased tolerance
withdrawal from friends and family
Untreated mental health issues increase the risk of substance use because individuals who experience anxiety, stress, or depression may use drugs to try to feel better, especially if there’s a lack of access to health care.
What Does Co-Occurring Disorder Treatment Involve?
Does anxiety lead to substance use? Is substance use linked to depression? Yes, substance abuse issues can be a direct result of one or more mental health conditions.
As a result of these disorders, individuals will turn to a substance that releases endorphins and/or dopamine, such as opioids or alcohol, to “cope” with the pain of these mental challenges. And yes, some substance use can lead to mental health difficulties.
Since mental health and substance use go hand in hand, co-occurring disorder treatment addresses both factors simultaneously. Treatment aims to end reliance on substances while targeting the underlying, or growing, mental health concern. As one affects the other, it is crucial to mitigate both at the same time in order for anyone struggling to live life to the fullest.
There are multiple approaches available to help individuals struggling with co-occurring disorders.
Components of effective treatment for co-occurring disorders includes:
Individual therapy (CBT, trauma-focused)
Group therapy (peer support + accountability)
INR takes a whole-person approach to care that is designed for teens, young adults, and adults. We are able to curate a treatment plan that works to address the whole picture of what you are dealing with, and closely monitor your progress to keep you on the road to recovery.
Why Integrated Treatment Leads to Better Outcomes
Addiction and mental health problems often go hand-in-hand. As a result, it is advantageous and the most effective course of treatment to address both at the same time. Integrated treatment, covering adolescent dual diagnosis treatment, young adult mental health and addiction, and adult co-occurring disorder treatment, manages both mental health and substance use to help individuals heal.
Integrated treatment is the best treatment for mental health and addiction in Oregon because treating only addiction or only mental health increases risk of relapse. On the other hand, integrated treatment equals longer-lasting recovery and better emotional health because both factors are being addressed at the same time.
In fact, People who receive integrated co-occurring disorder treatment are up to 2x more likely to stay in recovery (Journal of Substance Abuse Treatment, 2022).
Integrated treatment leads to:
Reduced relapse rates
Improved coping skills
Better emotional regulation
More stable home/work/school life
INR’s Co-Occurring Disorder Treatment Programs in Oregon
At INR, we have a supportive team of mental health professionals who will guide you through the process of developing your treatment plan. INR’s co-occurring disorder or dual diagnosis treatment programs provide the care individuals need who may be struggling with their mental health and addiction. Due to the nature of this disorder, our programs offer integrated care for longer-lasting recovery and better emotional health.
At INR, we provide services across age groups:
We also provide various levels of care:
Partial Hospitalization Program (PHP)
This program provides a combination of psychiatric treatment with education and alternative activities for all learning styles – with the goal of treating mental health issues and substance use disorders.
It has a variety of benefits, including flexibility around work, school, and family schedules, and the ability to recover in a clean, safe, welcoming and structured environment.
Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP)
This step is slightly less intensive than PHP but offers many of the same benefits. Like PHP, you would meet for group education and counseling sessions and utilize activity-based therapies as part of your treatment plans.
Outpatient + Online Therapy Options
This long-term treatment is meant to provide you with on-going accountability and support as you ease back into daily life after completing intensive outpatient and/or outpatient group counseling programs.
To accommodate individuals in need, our focus is on accessibility—addressing a major issue when it comes to mental health care. We provide in-person care in Eugene, Oregon, and offer virtual programs across Oregon. These programs are intended to help individuals struggling with mental health and substance use to regain control of their life.
Who Should Consider Co-Occurring Treatment?
Co-occurring treatment, like integrated treatment, is the best option for individuals struggling with mental health and addiction in Oregon. If you feel as though you or someone you know is using substances to cope with mental health decline, or that substance use seems to be leading to mental health decline, then co-occurring treatment might be the best way to address the whole picture of what you or someone you know is dealing with.
At INR, we’re here to help.
You or your loved one may benefit if they:
Struggle with anxiety, depression, or trauma
Use substances to cope with overwhelming emotions
Have tried treatment before but it “didn’t stick”
Are facing stressors at school, work, or home that affect their health
What are signs you may need dual diagnosis treatment?
Self-assessment questions for substance use:
Do most or all of your social activities include the use of substances?
Have you ever fallen behind on responsibilities due to substance use?
Have you ever tried to stop or cut down on substance use but weren’t always successful?
Examples of real-life triggers for co-occurring struggles:
Depression, anxiety, or PTSD
Traumatic and adverse childhood experience
Stress
Negative family environment
You don’t have to hit rock bottom to seek help.
Early intervention is the best way to address substance use and mental health decline before both conditions worsen. But INR can offer the help you deserve any step of the way. Co-occurring disorder treatment is advantageous and the most effective course of treatment to address both at the same time.
How to Get Started with INR
If you’re seeing signs you may need dual diagnosis treatment or are wondering how to treat mental health decline and substance use together, INR can provide the best treatment for mental health and addiction in Oregon, where limited access to mental health care is a major barrier.
No formal diagnosis is needed to start a conversation. INR offers services ranging from a free consultation to a personalized care plan, providing in-person care in Eugene, Oregon, and virtual options to individuals living in Oregon.
Confidential, compassionate support is available to you from providers who specialize in working with Oregon’s youth and adults. We are able to curate a treatment plan that works to address the whole picture of what you are dealing with, and closely monitor your progress to keep you on the road to recovery.
If you or a loved one is struggling, don’t wait—reach out today. INR’s integrated mental health and addiction treatment programs can help you break the cycle and move forward.
Healing Is Possible When We Treat the Whole Person
Addiction and mental health problems often go hand-in-hand. When substance use has become a coping tool for mental health, or substance use has led to a decline in mental health, both need to be addressed simultaneously in order for an individual to heal.
Co-occurring disorder treatment is more than a clinical solution, it’s a path to lasting wellness. With the right support, people can heal from both mental health challenges and substance use.
INR offers hope and effective, integrated care for individuals and families across Oregon.
Ready to take the first step?
Book a free consultation today to learn how INR’s co-occurring disorder treatment in Oregon can help you or your loved one heal, fully.