Overview
Many people experience mental health conditions and substance use concerns at the same time. The two often interact: substances may be used to manage anxiety, depression, trauma symptoms, or sleep problems, and substance use can worsen or trigger mental health symptoms. Integrated treatment that addresses both at once generally works better than treating one and ignoring the other. Co-occurring conditions are common, treatable, and not a moral failing. Asking for help with both is appropriate.
Common signs and symptoms
These are commonly reported experiences. Having some of them does not mean you have this condition, and not having them does not mean you do not.
- Using alcohol, cannabis, opioids, or stimulants to manage mood or sleep
- Needing more of a substance to get the same effect
- Withdrawal symptoms when not using
- Worsening anxiety, depression, or paranoia when using
- Difficulty maintaining work, school, or relationships
- Previous treatment that addressed only one condition
When professional evaluation may help
- You are using substances to manage mood, sleep, or anxiety
- You have withdrawal symptoms when you stop
- Substance use is affecting work, relationships, or health
- Previous treatment addressed only one condition
- There is any risk of overdose or self-harm — seek immediate help
General treatment approaches
Not every approach is appropriate for every person. Treatment decisions should be individualized and made with a qualified professional.
- Integrated treatment
- Programs that treat mental health and substance use together, with one coordinated team, tend to produce better outcomes than separate, sequential treatment.
- Medication
- Medication may be used for mental health symptoms and, in some cases, to support recovery from substance use. A qualified prescriber manages this.
- Therapy and recovery support
- Cognitive behavioral therapy, motivational approaches, and peer recovery programs each play a role in treatment.
- Medical evaluation
- Withdrawal from some substances can be medically dangerous, so a medical assessment should come before stopping abruptly.
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