Understanding Co-Occurring Disorders
Substance use and mental health often reinforce one another, with one worsening the other. For example, a person may use substances to cope with anxiety or depression, yet the substance use itself can intensify these symptoms over time.
Common co-occurring mental health conditions include:
Anxiety and panic disorders
Depression and major depressive disorder
Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
Bipolar disorder
Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)
Treating only one condition without addressing the other often leads to relapse. Effective recovery requires a combined approach that stabilizes both.