Many people struggle with addiction and mental health issues simultaneously. This is a condition called comorbidity, and it can make each disorder worse than it would be without the other.


In fact, half of all people with substance use disorders will also have a mental health disorder, including anxiety, depression, bipolar disorder and schizophrenia.

Addiction is a mental illness
Addiction is a brain disorder that “hijacks” the rewards pathways in the brain. This makes it harder to make healthy choices about drug and alcohol use.

People who are addicted often also have another mental illness. Doctors call this a co-occurring disorder or a dual diagnosis.

This combination of disorders is very common, and it can be difficult to treat. However, treatment can be effective and lasting if it includes behavioral therapies and medications.

Addiction is a complex disease with genetic, epigenetic, neurobiological, and drug exposure factors as well as environmental influences. It is a chronic relapsing brain disorder that has behavioral manifestations and considerable morbidity.

Addiction is a co-occurring disorder
When someone has a mental health condition, it is very common for them to also have a substance abuse problem. This is known as a co-occurring disorder, or dual diagnosis.

Addiction is a chronic brain disease that disrupts regions of the brain responsible for reward, motivation, learning, judgment and memory. It is caused by a combination of behavioral, psychological, environmental and biological factors.

People with mood disorders such as depression, bipolar disorder and schizophrenia are more likely to abuse drugs than those who do not have these conditions. These disorders can cause severe symptoms, such as extreme mood changes, problems concentrating, and thoughts of suicide.

These disorders can lead to addiction if they are not treated. When both the substance use disorder and mental health condition are addressed at the same time, patients are much more likely to improve. Integrated treatment reduces costs and creates better outcomes for patients.

Addiction is a comorbid disorder
Addiction is a comorbid disorder, which means that it often occurs alongside other mental disorders. It’s a chronic disease that changes the brain, alters decision-making and causes problems with social functioning.

People with a substance use disorder may experience physical, psychological and social symptoms such as cravings or strong urges to use drugs or alcohol. They may also have difficulty coping and preventing withdrawal symptoms after stopping drug or alcohol use.

A person with a substance use disorder and a mental illness can benefit from treatment that focuses on both the addiction and the illness. This usually includes psychotherapy, medications and health services to help with both conditions.

Research suggests that mental illnesses like depression, anxiety and schizophrenia increase the risk of developing a substance abuse disorder. These conditions directly affect our brain’s reward circuit, which connects activities that sustain life with pleasure and reward.

Addiction is a treatable disorder
Addiction is a chronic medical condition that involves changes to circuits in the brain involved in reward, stress and self-control. It is treatable with medical intervention and a variety of recovery supports that help people stop using substances, reduce the risk of relapse and maintain sobriety.

Some people argue that addiction cannot be a disease because it starts with a person's choice to use substances. However, many experts agree that once a person's brain has been changed by addiction, that person loses control of their behavior.

Although some people recover without treatment, most people with a substance use disorder need to have professional treatment and support to overcome their addictions. These treatments can include detoxification, counseling, cognitive behavioral therapy and family therapy. Relapse can occur even in people who are abstinent from drugs, and newer treatment options aim to prevent relapse by changing negative attitudes and behaviors related to drug abuse. This can help lower the risk of relapse and allow you to focus on managing other underlying mental health concerns, such as depression or anxiety.