There is a well-documented connection between Substance Use Disorder and many, many mental health conditions. While the oft-repeated statistic is that “50% of people who suffer from SUD also suffer from a mental health condition” might be technically true, it’s our clinical experience at Shanti Wellness and Recovery that the number of patients who are actually dealing with multiple behavioral and mental health problems simultaneously is, in reality, much higher.
In this post, we’ll tackle some of the most common questions we hear about “dual diagnosis” patients who struggle with addiction in addition to other mental health concerns. We’ll also look at some of the resources Portland, Oregon has to offer this specific population!
What does “dual diagnosis” mean in the context of addiction treatment?
Dual diagnosis is a term that is used to refer to patients who are experiencing symptoms of more than mental or behavioral health concern at the same time. We frequently see this in the case of those who have developed Substance Use Disorder. More often than not, a patient with SUD might also be found to be dealing with an anxiety disorder, depression, ADHD, and/or bipolar disorder.
What are “comorbid” conditions?
Healthcare professionals say that a condition is “comorbid” when it appears alongside another condition. Oftentimes these conditions can influence one and other, exacerbating the patient’s overall symptoms.
Why is it so common for mental health concerns and behavioral health concerns, like addiction, to show up together in one patient?
This is the million dollar question. There is no one answer. The undeniable connection between mental health and behavioral health is the subject of much study and debate. It’s likely that this connection is explained by many factors rather than one simple explanation. These factors include:
- Shared set of risk factors for SUD and mental health problems
- Genetic inheritability of vulnerabilities that contribute to the development of mental health and behavioral health conditions
- Environmental factors like stress and trauma
- Common impairments to the reward circuits in the brain, caused by mental health conditions, developmental conditions, and/or behavioral health conditions
- Adverse childhood experiences (ACEs)
Do mental health conditions cause Substance Use Disorder? Does SUD cause mental health problems?
The answer to both of these questions is: yes.
First of all, Substance Use Disorder is known to cause a range of biopsychosocial symptoms, including some symptoms that are indistinguishable from common mental health disorders, like depression and anxiety. The social isolation, negative consequences, obsession, neglect of physical and emotional wellbeing, and shame that often go along with untreated SUD can easily result in a variety of mental health conditions without proper intervention and support.
Oh the other hand, it’s very common for people with mental health conditions to self-medicate using drugs of abuse, and this “self-help” method itself can frequently lead to addiction. For example, people who suffer from schizophrenia often turn to marijuana to curb auditory hallucinations and feelings of paranoia. People struggling with depression often turn to binge drinking for a short-term fix, only to find that alcohol use worsens depression symptoms in the long-term.
Finally, it’s also possible for SUD to impair healthy social-emotional and/or developmental growth in young adulthood, which, in turn, can lead to mental health problems later in life.
As you can see from the examples above, there is no “cut and dried” answer to this question.
What’s the best way to treat dual diagnosis patients for addiction and mental health disorders?
Studies have shown that it’s most effective to treat all conditions simultaneously for dual diagnosis patients.
That means, first, correctly diagnosing any and all conditions that are present in one patient. At Shanti Wellness and Recovery, our staff includes Dr. Robbie Bahl, MD, who specializes in addiction, as well as an in-house Psychiatrist and other mental health professionals who provide one-on-one counseling. We screen all patients for common mental health conditions that are often found alongside Substance Use Disorder. We also screen patients for undiagnosed ADHD and Autism spectrum symptoms and refer patients for additional support as necessary.
Next, that means treating both (or all) conditions at the same time, rather than one at a time. It’s common for relapse in one condition to cause a relapse in the other, so it’s important to address each of the patient’s diagnoses simultaneously. Ideally, this means medication for multiple conditions as well as one-on-one counseling with a mental health professional who is knowledgeable about best practices for dual diagnosis patients. At Shanti Wellness and Recovery, we offer patients all of these possibilities under one roof.
What you’ll find at Shanti Recovery and Wellness…
Portland residents tend to gravitate towards our programs because we offer a warm, family-style environment with knowledgeable clinicians in a comfortable setting.
Our building is a converted craftsman that looks and feels more like a chiropractor’s office or a naturopathic family medicine clinic than it does an addiction treatment center. We tailor our patient-centered treatment plans around your preferences and goals, taking the whole patient into consideration, rather than treating addiction in isolation.
Plus, we’ve recently added TMS – Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation – and Ketamine therapy to our existing patient services. We’re also pleased to announce that we now offer psychiatric services for Pediatric and Adolescent patients, as well.
Interested to learn more about how we can help? Give us a call today to begin your journey to freedom from addiction!