How are Different Types of Mental Illness Related to Substance Abuse?

The Journal of the American Medical Association reports that approximately 50% of people who have mental illness abuse drugs. In addition, 53 percent of drug abusers have one of the types of mental illness. Because mental health disorders and substance abuse are often seen together, it’s important for people seeking treatment to have cognitive behavior therapy in Jacksonville FL. 

How are Mental Illness and Substance Abuse Intertwined?

Although you usually see mental illness and substance abuse co-occurring in affected people, some experts don’t believe that one issue causes the other. So, what does this mean? You won’t necessarily get a mental health disorder from abusing drugs, and abusing drugs won’t cause mental illness. However, there is a well-documented connection between the two.

Often times, people who have one of the types of mental illness resort to using drugs to medicate themselves. The mental health disorder causes discomfort and pain, and the drugs serve as a medicine. The only problem is that drug use leads to further problems. Another issue that could look more like a cause and effect case is people who use drugs for a length of time may experience certain types of psychological disorders such as depression or anxiety. However, once they quit doing the drugs, their depression and anxiety subside.

Why Is It Important to Treat the Types of Mental Illness with Substance Abuse?

When seeking treatment for substance abuse, you need to get to the root of the problem or the chance of relapse increases. You need a treatment that encompasses the following:

• Diagnosis of any of the types of psychological disorders that may exist
• Dual diagnosis treatment to get to the root of what’s driving the addictive behavior
• Cognitive behavioral therapy, which is instrumental in helping people with substance abuse issues
• Relapse prevention tools

Finding Help for Co-Occurring Diagnoses

When you find a treatment that targets the different types of mental illness you face plus the substance abuse disorder, your chances for recovery increase. At Beaches Recovery, we understand the nature of mental illness and substance abuse. Our programs and therapies are designed to bring health and wellness to participants. Some of the therapies we offer include:

• Cognitive behavioral therapy
• Individual therapy
• Trauma & PTSD therapy
• Group therapy
• Dialectical therapy

Don’t let addiction hinder you from a full life. You can overcome your addiction by getting to the root of the issue. Discover Beaches, a quality drug rehab that works with different types of mental illness, and find hope. Contact us at 866.605.0532, and we’ll get you on the road to recovery.