Pc: Nathan Huisenga @vividmind27 via Instagram
For those aspiring to be Certified Addiction Counselors (CAC) or Licensed Addiction Counselors (LAC), understanding the relationship between mental health and addiction is paramount to leading a patient through a successful recovery. Here we will examine two commonalities between the disorders, and discuss the root cause of treatment problems today.
Both are co-occurring disorders and aren’t mutually exclusive
The coexistence of both a mental health and substance use disorder is referred to as a co-occurring disorder, according to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA). They can be difficult to diagnose because of the complexity and overlap of symptoms. Co-occurring disorders are best treated through integrated treatment. This methodology has proven to reduce costs while boosting positive outcomes.
Mental health disorders don’t lead to addiction but can be causal
While there are no findings that mental health disorders lead to addiction, there are studies showing how mental illness plays a role in using substances as a psychological crutch. According to the National Alliance on Mental Health (NAMH), either substance abuse or mental disabilities can develop first even though they generally exist simultaneously. Studies show that those undergoing psychological duress often turn to substances as a way of self-medicating.
Learning to separate addictive and psychiatric symptoms
The most difficult part of treating someone with a dual diagnosis is distinguishing which symptoms belong to each disorder. Counselors suggest that dual diagnosis cases be treated together because this effectively begins the process of unraveling the underlying causes of each. These causes can be chemical, genetic, or because of a shared environment. The trick is being able to identify particular symptoms to reduce cases of under-treatment. A common example is how alcohol addiction can mask bipolar disorder.
The relationship between mental health and addiction is complex, to say the least. Oftentimes, the best approach is to treat both disorders at once if they are present in a patient. This helps instill new behaviors to combat psychological illness without the use – and future use – of substances. Investing the time to understanding this relationship will make all the difference in your effectiveness as a counselor.