Co-Occurring Mental Health Disorders

For many of our clients, a challenge with substance use can also be deeply intertwined with a co-occurring mental health disorder. At Sagepoint IOP, we address all of these circumstances and treat the individual as a whole.

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What does it mean to have a co-occurring disorder?

The term “co-occurring” disorder describes someone who struggles with both a substance use disorder and another type of psychiatric/mental illness. This condition could include depression, bipolar disorder, post-traumatic stress, ADD or ADHD, or any number of other mental health or behavioral issues. According to SAMHSA (Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration), approximately 7.9 million adults in the United States had a co-occurring disorder. Also, people with a mental health disorder are more likely to experience a substance use disorder and people with a substance use disorder  are more likely to have a mental health disorder when compared with the general population. About 50% of Americans seeking substance use disorder treatment have been diagnosed as having a co-occurring mental and substance use disorder.

 A co-occurring disorder can be difficult to diagnose due to the complexity of symptoms, as both may vary in severity. We have found, in many cases, people receive treatment for one disorder while the other disorder remains untreated. This may occur because both mental and substance use disorders can have biological, psychological, and social components. Other reasons may be an overlap of symptoms, or other health issues that needed to be addressed first. In any case, the consequences of undiagnosed, untreated, or an undertreated co-occurring disorder can dangerous, if not fatal.