Mental Health & Substance Use Disorders

According to experts at the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA), mental health disorders and drug abuse issues often occur together in the same individual. Genetic predispositions, brain chemistry, life stresses and developmental issues can all contribute to these disorders.

Comorbity

• NIDA defines comorbidity as the occurrence of two disorders or illnesses in the same individual. Mental illness and drug abuse both have the same risks factors, and it is often difficult to determine if one illness directly caused the other or which appeared first.

Causes

• Psychologists and doctors at the NIDA have found that genetics can be a factor in the development of mental disorders and addictions. There is also evidence that the areas of the brain that control reward and stress responses are similarly affected by drug abuse and mental illness, so researchers believe there is a link to brain function. Finally, childhood developmental issues, stress, trauma and early exposure to drug use can all contribute to the development of both mental illness and drug abuse.

Rates of Occurrence

• Statistics provided by NIDA show that six out of 10 people with a substance abuse disorder also suffer from a mental health issue. Individuals with mood and anxiety disorders are twice as likely to have substance abuse issues. There are also high incidences of major depressive disorder and post-traumatic stress disorder.

Diagnosis

• When individuals enter treatment, it is necessary to confirm that they are abstaining from drug use in and effort to separate possible mental health disorders from the signs and symptoms of intoxication. NIDA experts note that this is a complicated process because the signs of mental illness can closely mimic the effects of many illicit and prescription drugs. Residential treatment may be required in order to observe and monitor the behaviors of an individual patient in a contained environment. Drug testing can also be used as a method to distinguish chronic drug use from mental disorders.

Treatment

• NIDA research reports highlight the importance of treating both mental health disorders and substance abuse disorder at the same time. Non-intoxicating prescription medications can often be used to treat comorbid conditions. For example, the anti-depressant Wellbutrin has been successfully used to treat depression, nicotine cravings and also cravings for methamphetamine. These medications are often used in conjunction with a wide range of psychotherapy treatments, including individual, group and family counseling. NIDA researchers note that more studies are required to further determine the effectiveness of specific medications for use with detoxification and treatment of various drug abuse patterns.