Issues That Addictions & Mental Health Counselors Deal With

It is often difficult to separate mental illness and substance abuse. A report by the Canadian Center on Substance Abuse stated that half the people being treated for addiction have mental health problems, and 15 percent to 20 percent of people treated for a mental illness have abused substances. It has become more common to treat people with substance abuse problems with an eye to a possible underlying mental illness.

Substance Abuse.

• Some drugs make the person taking them feel depressed.

  It can be difficult to treat a mental illness before substance abuse has been brought under control. This is because alcohol and drugs alter the mood and mental state anyway, so it is difficult to assess a person's mental state while under the influence or while addicted. Most counselors find it helpful to work with a detoxification program. The patient can explore a personal history of addiction, and to confront some of the resultant behavior and consequences.

Anxiety

• A counselor may treat anxiety with cognitive behavioral therapy. The client will be asked to keep a record of episodes of anxiety and panic. She will be encouraged to accept the condition rather than try to fight it. She will have several sessions with the counselor, who will review her progress and possibly set further goals. She will also be encouraged to learn relaxation techniques, and maybe to review other issues in her life.

Depression

• Like anxiety, depression can be a result of substance abuse, or may have contributed to it in the first place. A person may drink or take drugs to cope with feelings of depression. However, this may ultimately make the problem worse. The counselor may refer the depressed person to a doctor, if he feels medication is needed. The counselor will help the patient explore some of the underlying issues.