t’s easy to think of mental health and substance use as separate struggles, but in reality, they often go hand in hand. When someone is dealing with both a mental health disorder and a substance use disorder, it’s called a co-occurring disorder (also known as dual diagnosis).
About half of people with mental health disorders also experience substance use problems, making dual diagnosis common. While it can feel overwhelming to face both challenges at once, the good news is that healing is possible with the right support.
At Spearhead Health, we address the whole person, not just the symptoms. That means understanding the deep and often complex connection between mental health and substance use. Let’s look deeper into the signs of co-occurring disorders, how they intersect, and why integrated treatment is essential.
What Are Co-Occurring Disorders?
A co-occurring disorder means that a person is living with both a mental health condition and a substance use disorder. Common examples include depression and alcohol use disorder (AUD), anxiety and prescription drug misuse, and PTSD and opioid use disorder (OUD).
Sometimes, people use substances to self-medicate mental health symptoms, like using alcohol to calm anxiety or drugs to escape trauma. Other times, substance use can actually trigger or worsen mental health issues. Either way, both conditions interact, often creating a cycle that’s hard to break without integrated treatment.
Common Signs of Co-Occurring Disorders
Co-occurring disorders can show up in many ways. Here are some common examples:
- Using substances to escape difficult emotions or memories
- Frequent mood swings, depression, or anxiety along with substance use
- Difficulty maintaining work, relationships, or daily responsibilities
- Isolating from others or losing interest in things once enjoyed
- Previous attempts at treatment that didn’t fully address both issues
If you or someone you love recognizes these signs, you’re not alone, and it’s certainly not a sign of weakness. It’s a sign that you deserve comprehensive support from a team like Spearhead Health.
Why Treating Both Matters
Treating addiction without addressing the underlying mental health issue is like treating a symptom without healing the root cause. That’s why integrated care is essential, which involves treating both conditions at the same time, using personalized approaches that consider the full picture.
Without integrated treatment, substance use may return after mental health symptoms worsen, mental health progress may stall if substance use continues, or you might feel like you’re stuck in a revolving door of relapse and recovery. But with a thoughtful, whole-person approach, you can begin to understand your patterns, build coping skills, and move forward with clarity and strength.
How Spearhead Health Can Help
Our team understands how deeply intertwined mental health and substance use can be. As a private consulting and concierge management company, we can guide you through all stages of the recovery process. For instance, your care plan may include a comprehensive assessment to identify co-occurring disorders, individual therapy to explore emotional and behavioral health, and group therapy for peer support and shared healing.
Since many co-occurring disorders stem from unresolved trauma, we also recommend trauma-informed care to many of our clients, along with medication management, when appropriate. What’s important to know is that you will receive highly personalized treatment with us. We don’t believe in one-size-fits-all solutions. We listen. We collaborate. And we support our clients every step of the way.
You’re Not Alone—And You Don’t Have to Choose Which to Treat First
Many people with co-occurring disorders feel like they’re constantly being told to “fix” one issue before the other. But you don’t have to choose between treating your mental health and your addiction. You can—and should—treat both together. Healing happens when the whole person is supported.
If you’re living with a co-occurring disorder, reach out to Spearhead Health at (310) 561-1704. With our support and guidance, you can achieve lasting recovery.