Summary
- Mix of substance use disorders and mental health disorders
- Treatment should be well planned and client-centered
The term co-occurring disorders or COD means having at least one mental illness along with one or more substance use disorder. But there is nothing simple about having this condition. The two or more disorders will negatively impact each other. This requires that each disorder be treated separately but also at the same time. Recovery is not an easy process, but it is a goal that can be reached.
Types of COD
Substance use disorder can occur along with any mental illness. Some of the more common mental health issues linked with COD include:
- Depression
- Anxiety
- Schizophrenia
- Bipolar disorder
- Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
- Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD)
Other disorders related to mood, anxiety, sleep, eating, and personality also often occur with COD.
Some common classes of substance use disorders include:
- Alcohol
- Nicotine
- Caffeine
- Cannabis
- Cocaine
- Amphetamines
- Sedatives
- Opioids
People with COD can have any mixture of substance use disorders and mental health disorders, but at least one of each.
Risks of COD
People with COD have certain higher risks than people with a single disorder. They also tend to be in poorer health and have a greater chance of relapse. Some of this is due to not taking or responding to treatment as well. The time and cost involved in this treatment is also higher.
Among these increased risks are:
- Violence
- Physical illness
- Psychosis
- Hospitalization
- Homelessness
- Unemployment
- Incarceration
- HIV/AIDS
Screening for COD
About half of all people with severe mental illnesses also have substance use disorders. The rate of people with substance use disorders who have mental illnesses is even higher. Despite these facts, screening for COD can be a challenge. A mental health service may not be able to spot substance use disorder. A substance use treatment center may not be able to spot mental illness. The screening process should decide whether or not the person needs to be further assessed. This assessment is then performed by a mental health doctor or other trained health care worker.
Treatment and recovery
Treatment for COD must target each disorder by itself and at the same time. This may occur in one setting or a number of settings. Treatment should be well planned and client-centered. This means the person with COD needs to be involved with all aspects of care. The type of care will depend on the types of substance use and mental disorders. It should also be tailored to the person’s unique needs and goals.
COD takes a toll on those who have it and on those around them. Coping skills must be taught to the individual as well as to her support group. Progress may be slow and sometimes hard to measure. The chance of relapse seems to always be right around the corner. Setbacks should be met with support rather than blame. The person will respond to praise much more than to guilt. Recovery is a long process that will require a group effort. It is not an easy task but it is well worth it.
Resources
Alcoholics Anonymous
www.aa.org
Narcotics Anonymous
www.na.org
National Alliance on Mental Illness
www.nami.org
Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration
www.samhsa.gov
Summary
- Mix of substance use disorders and mental health disorders
- Treatment should be well planned and client-centered
The term co-occurring disorders or COD means having at least one mental illness along with one or more substance use disorder. But there is nothing simple about having this condition. The two or more disorders will negatively impact each other. This requires that each disorder be treated separately but also at the same time. Recovery is not an easy process, but it is a goal that can be reached.
Types of COD
Substance use disorder can occur along with any mental illness. Some of the more common mental health issues linked with COD include:
- Depression
- Anxiety
- Schizophrenia
- Bipolar disorder
- Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
- Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD)
Other disorders related to mood, anxiety, sleep, eating, and personality also often occur with COD.
Some common classes of substance use disorders include:
- Alcohol
- Nicotine
- Caffeine
- Cannabis
- Cocaine
- Amphetamines
- Sedatives
- Opioids
People with COD can have any mixture of substance use disorders and mental health disorders, but at least one of each.
Risks of COD
People with COD have certain higher risks than people with a single disorder. They also tend to be in poorer health and have a greater chance of relapse. Some of this is due to not taking or responding to treatment as well. The time and cost involved in this treatment is also higher.
Among these increased risks are:
- Violence
- Physical illness
- Psychosis
- Hospitalization
- Homelessness
- Unemployment
- Incarceration
- HIV/AIDS
Screening for COD
About half of all people with severe mental illnesses also have substance use disorders. The rate of people with substance use disorders who have mental illnesses is even higher. Despite these facts, screening for COD can be a challenge. A mental health service may not be able to spot substance use disorder. A substance use treatment center may not be able to spot mental illness. The screening process should decide whether or not the person needs to be further assessed. This assessment is then performed by a mental health doctor or other trained health care worker.
Treatment and recovery
Treatment for COD must target each disorder by itself and at the same time. This may occur in one setting or a number of settings. Treatment should be well planned and client-centered. This means the person with COD needs to be involved with all aspects of care. The type of care will depend on the types of substance use and mental disorders. It should also be tailored to the person’s unique needs and goals.
COD takes a toll on those who have it and on those around them. Coping skills must be taught to the individual as well as to her support group. Progress may be slow and sometimes hard to measure. The chance of relapse seems to always be right around the corner. Setbacks should be met with support rather than blame. The person will respond to praise much more than to guilt. Recovery is a long process that will require a group effort. It is not an easy task but it is well worth it.
Resources
Alcoholics Anonymous
www.aa.org
Narcotics Anonymous
www.na.org
National Alliance on Mental Illness
www.nami.org
Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration
www.samhsa.gov
Summary
- Mix of substance use disorders and mental health disorders
- Treatment should be well planned and client-centered
The term co-occurring disorders or COD means having at least one mental illness along with one or more substance use disorder. But there is nothing simple about having this condition. The two or more disorders will negatively impact each other. This requires that each disorder be treated separately but also at the same time. Recovery is not an easy process, but it is a goal that can be reached.
Types of COD
Substance use disorder can occur along with any mental illness. Some of the more common mental health issues linked with COD include:
- Depression
- Anxiety
- Schizophrenia
- Bipolar disorder
- Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
- Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD)
Other disorders related to mood, anxiety, sleep, eating, and personality also often occur with COD.
Some common classes of substance use disorders include:
- Alcohol
- Nicotine
- Caffeine
- Cannabis
- Cocaine
- Amphetamines
- Sedatives
- Opioids
People with COD can have any mixture of substance use disorders and mental health disorders, but at least one of each.
Risks of COD
People with COD have certain higher risks than people with a single disorder. They also tend to be in poorer health and have a greater chance of relapse. Some of this is due to not taking or responding to treatment as well. The time and cost involved in this treatment is also higher.
Among these increased risks are:
- Violence
- Physical illness
- Psychosis
- Hospitalization
- Homelessness
- Unemployment
- Incarceration
- HIV/AIDS
Screening for COD
About half of all people with severe mental illnesses also have substance use disorders. The rate of people with substance use disorders who have mental illnesses is even higher. Despite these facts, screening for COD can be a challenge. A mental health service may not be able to spot substance use disorder. A substance use treatment center may not be able to spot mental illness. The screening process should decide whether or not the person needs to be further assessed. This assessment is then performed by a mental health doctor or other trained health care worker.
Treatment and recovery
Treatment for COD must target each disorder by itself and at the same time. This may occur in one setting or a number of settings. Treatment should be well planned and client-centered. This means the person with COD needs to be involved with all aspects of care. The type of care will depend on the types of substance use and mental disorders. It should also be tailored to the person’s unique needs and goals.
COD takes a toll on those who have it and on those around them. Coping skills must be taught to the individual as well as to her support group. Progress may be slow and sometimes hard to measure. The chance of relapse seems to always be right around the corner. Setbacks should be met with support rather than blame. The person will respond to praise much more than to guilt. Recovery is a long process that will require a group effort. It is not an easy task but it is well worth it.
Resources
Alcoholics Anonymous
www.aa.org
Narcotics Anonymous
www.na.org
National Alliance on Mental Illness
www.nami.org
Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration
www.samhsa.gov