Mental Health & Substance Use As Co-Occurring Disorders

 

Mental health problems and substance use disorders sometimes occur together. Statistics show that more than 1-in-4 adults living with serious mental health problems also have a substance use problem.🍷💊

Substance use problems may occur more frequently with certain mental health problems including depression, anxiety disorders, schizophrenia, and personality disorder. 

Symptoms of Substance Use Disorder may include behavior changes, physical changes, and/or social changes such as:

Behavior Changes

* drop in attendance or performance at work/school

* frequently getting into trouble (fights, accidents)
* engaging in secretive or suspicious behaviors
* changes in appetite or sleep patterns
* sudden mood swings, irritability, angry outbursts
* periods of unusual hyperactivity, agitation, giddiness

* lack of motivation
* fearfulness, anxiousness, paranoia with no reason

Physical Changes
* bloodshot eyes, abnormal sized pupils
* sudden weight loss or gain
* deterioration of physical appearance
* unusual smells on breath, body, clothing
* tremors, slurred speech, or impaired coordination

Social Changes
* sudden change in friends, hangouts, hobbies
* legal problems related to substance use
* unexplained need for money or financial problems
* using substances even if it causes relationship issues

Someone with a mental health problem and substance use disorder must treat both issues to be effective. Treatment for both may include rehabilitation, medications, support groups, and talk therapy. 

To learn more about mental health and substance use co-occurring disorders, visit:

https://www.samhsa.gov/mental-health/mental-health-substance-use-co-occurring-disorders