Co-Occurring Disorders & Recovery
Co-occurring disorders refer to the simultaneous presence of a mental health illness, and a substance use disorder.
For many, this is extremely common as individuals with either a mental health condition or a substance use disorder will experience the other at some point in their lives. When these conditions coexist, they can vary in severity, often with one significantly influencing the other and impair or delay recovery if not simultaneously addressed. Their interaction can complicate self-management and may necessitate longer-term, integrated treatment approaches.
People living with co-occurring disorders often face significant challenges in daily life, made even more difficult by the stigma surrounding both mental illness and addiction. This stigma can delay help-seeking, impair recovery, and hinder acceptance—both self-acceptance and societal understanding.
Common Mental Health Conditions That Co-Occur With Addiction Include:
- Anxiety disorders
- Depressive disorders
- Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)
- Bipolar disorder
- Schizophrenia
- Personality disorders
Which Comes First?
There is no single pathway to developing co-occurring disorders. For some, mental health issues precede substance use, with individuals turning to drugs or alcohol as a form of self-medication. For others, chronic substance use contributes to the onset of mental health symptoms or diagnoses. In many cases, both disorders arise due to shared genetic vulnerabilities or environmental risk factors such as trauma, stress, or early exposure to adverse conditions.
Integrated Treatment Approaches
Given the complexity and interconnection of these conditions, an integrated approach to treatment is widely recognized as the most effective strategy. Comprehensive care may include:
- Medication management to stabilize symptoms
- Evidence-based psychotherapies (e.g., CBT, DBT, MI, EMDR, ACT and other forms of trauma-informed care)
- Education on illness management and relapse prevention
- Holistic practices, such as mindfulness, nutrition, yoga, acupuncture, somatic experiencing practices and exercise
- Peer and family support
- Extended care services addressing housing, employment, and healthcare access
At Crossroads Centre, we understand that addressing co-occurring disorders through a multifaceted, supportive, and coordinated way is essential to increasing one’s potential for recovery, stability, and long-term well-being.