Addiction and mental health issues are closely linked. In fact, the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) estimates that 50-75% of people with a substance use disorder also have a co-occurring mental illness. And while many people think of addictions as an issue of willpower or character, having a mental illness can make it harder to overcome addiction because it makes recovery much more complex.
So if you're seeking help for your addiction but struggling with mental health issues simultaneously, getting help for those other struggles could be just what you need to stay on track toward long-term sobriety.
You may wonder how addressing your mental health issues is critical to recovery. The road to recovery involves more than just learning how to stay sober; it also means that you must work on yourself in many other ways.
This is because addiction can cause several problems that make it challenging to stay sober. For example, people who are addicted often have trouble with their relationships and find themselves isolated from others because they don't want to let anyone know about their addiction or how bad things are getting.
In addition, people struggling with addiction often suffer from depression or anxiety (or both), which can lead them back into using drugs or alcohol as an escape from their current situation rather than facing the issue head-on by seeking professional help from someone who knows the best-suited solutions for each person's needs based on where they currently stand in terms of substance abuse treatment.
Individuals overcoming addiction must learn how to deal with these issues before moving forward. Addressing the underlying causes will lead them closer to achieving long-term sobriety without setbacks.
The link between trauma and addiction is a strong one and one that's been well-documented. About 50% of people who experience severe trauma will develop some kind of mental illness, such as PTSD or depression. This can lead to substance abuse issues, depression, anxiety, untreated post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), or other mental health conditions.
The relationship between trauma and addiction is more than just a vicious cycle: it's a cycle with no end if left untreated without proper intervention and therapy.
Seeking mental health treatment can help you learn the skills to manage your emotions, identify triggers for substance abuse, manage stress, and develop healthy coping skills to prevent relapse.
Mental health treatment programs teach clients how to:
If you are currently struggling with addiction, it's essential not to overlook the role of mental health in your recovery. A recent NIDA study found that up to two-thirds of people who quit using drugs or alcohol experienced "some degree" of depression or anxiety. In addition, many reported living with major depression at some point during their lifetime.
It's also important to note that while many treatments are available today, the best approach includes holistic therapy methods that treat the individual from every angle (physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual), not just the symptoms.
That's why finding personalized support can be so helpful; these methods allow individuals to work closely with trained professionals who will help them identify what works best in their case by taking into account unique needs such as age and gender as well as past experiences related specifically toward substance abuse problems (or other mental health issues).
If you are struggling with addiction, it's essential to seek treatment that addresses your mental health struggles and will help you overcome them. This can be done through holistic therapy, such as the carefully curated treatment available at Passages.
Please call today if you or a loved one needs addiction and mental health-related treatment.
Take your first step towards lifelong sobriety today. Call anytime to speak to an admissions specialist or quickly verify your insurance benefits online now.
Take your first step towards lifelong sobriety today. Call anytime to speak to an admissions specialist or quickly verify your insurance benefits online now.