If your life is tangled up in substances and a separate mental health issue at the same time, you’re not alone. You could be trying to suppress symptoms of bipolar disorder, clinical depression, anxiety, or another mental health issue with substances like alcohol, cocaine, or marijuana. But the negative consequences of those substances might be making things worse. It’s a situation that millions of adults find themselves in, living with both substance use disorder (SUD) and a diagnosed mental health disorder, known as comorbidity or dual diagnoses.
If you, your family, and your friends are so scared and exhausted that you’ve decided to seek residential treatment at St. Joseph Institute in Port Matilda, there is good news. Seeking treatment is the first step to take in regaining control and getting your life back. In this article, you’ll learn what co-occurring disorders mean, how they can complicate recovery, and which next steps could help you move forward with services that fit your life.
What Are Co-occurring Disorders?
You have a co-occurring disorder when you suffer from substance use disorder (SUD) and one or more mental health conditions at the same time. The mix can look different for everyone, and no single pairing defines it.
Common mental health conditions that exist alongside SUD typically include:
- Anxiety
- Depression
- Bipolar disorder
- Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
- Schizophrenia
- Conduct disorders that manifest as disobedient and aggressive behavior, particularly in children and adolescents
- Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)
Lots of people with these disorders, whether diagnosed or not, might use alcohol, cigarettes, nicotine products, opioids, stimulants, marijuana, hallucinogens, or prescription medications to combat symptoms, but becoming dependent on them can make daily life even more complicated to manage.
You don’t have to sort this out by yourself. Treatment in Port Matilda and Wexford, P.A. can help you map symptoms, set goals, and build a plan that treats all of your issues at the same time.
How Does Comorbidity Impact Recovery?
Research shows that comorbidity can complicate a substance-free lifestyle and subsequent treatment in several ways. With more awareness, you might be able to choose the best services for your situation.
- Depression, substances, and recovery. If your lowest moods prompt substance use, your general level of motivation to find healthy outlets can drop, and your sense of isolation can grow. You might drink or use to feel better, then feel worse after the effects wear off. That loop can make follow-through harder and increase relapse risk, which is why an integrated plan in Port Matilda can steady your day-to-day.
- ADHD and substances. ADHD can trigger impulsivity, distractibility, and create barriers to time management and planning. Those same patterns can lead to quick decisions about substance use, making routines and recovery goals more challenging to maintain. Targeting skills, implementing supportive structures like group therapy, and integrating medication management can help you slow things down and stick with what works.
- Schizophrenia and substance use. Schizophrenia can increase your vulnerability to nicotine and other substances, and using them can absolutely worsen symptoms or weaken the effect of helpful medications. You may even have to visit hospitals more often and experience harder mornings after using. Our coordinated St. Joseph teams can help customize your care, support you through cravings, and help solidify sleep routines that help you feel more stable.
- PTSD and substances. Trauma can heighten anxiety and reactivity, and substance use can easily turn into a quick way to numb flashbacks or tough emotions. But aftereffects often ramp up distress, which can make symptoms spike again. Trauma-informed care and grounding skill-building at St. Joseph’s Institute could help reduce triggers and support safer coping methods.
How to Treat Co-occurring Disorders in Pennsylvania
You and your providers can start by sorting which symptoms come from mental health issues and which come from substance use. That clarity guides an integrated plan so you don’t juggle two separate tracks that compete for your time and energy in recovery. Your care might include therapy, medication, or both.
Studies show that many in recovery respond well to approaches like:
- Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT)
- Dialectical behavioral therapy (DBT)
- Motivational interviewing (MI)
- Family-based therapies
- Trauma-focused care
With these approaches readily available at our facility, residential treatment can offer structure and 24/7 support while you stabilize in Port Matilda. In Wexford, intensive outpatient care is another option, helping you practice skills at home that keep your week moving while you stay connected to your team.
Treat Comorbidity in Recovery With St. Joseph Institute
Co-occurring disorders don’t define you, and substance use disorder is no less serious—or worthy of treatment—than any other mental health condition. You deserve care that treats your whole story with respect, hope, and science. At St. Joseph Institute in Port Matilda and our outpatient program in Wexford, we do just that.
We can build a plan that fits your needs, strengthens your support system, and grows your confidence. If you’re ready to take that step, contact us today.
