The Intersection of Substance Abuse and Mental Illness

People with “dual diagnosis” have a co-occurring substance use disorder and mental health condition, such as alcoholism and bipolar disorder. Individuals with mental illness are more likely to develop substance use problems than those without mental health issues. Mental illness often leads people to self-medicate with drugs or alcohol, yet drugs and alcohol can bring on or worsen mental illness symptoms.

This makes it especially important for individuals with dual diagnosis to seek out an integrated treatment program that addresses both their addiction and mental health needs.

This eBook discusses dual diagnosis in more detail and covers:

• Mental illness and substance abuse statistics
• The symptoms of dual diagnosis
• Common substance use disorders
• Common mental health disorders
• How co-occurring substance use and mental health disorders are treated