For some people, the challenges of mental health and addiction can be connected. Many who develop substance use disorders (SUDs) are also diagnosed with mental health conditions. and vice versa. When both mental health and a substance use conditions are present, this is referred to as comorbidity.
The National Institute on Drug Abuse identified the following facts about comorbid conditions:
Comorbidity describes two or more conditions appearing in a person. The conditions can occur at the same time or one right after the other.
- Comorbid substance use disorder and mental illnesses are common, with about half of people who have one condition also having the other.
- Substance use conditions and mental illnesses have many of the same risk factors.
- Treatment for comorbid illnesses should focus on both mental illness and substance use conditions together, rather than one or the other.
For more information, check out these resources:
- The Behavioral Health Treatment Services Locator for finding substance use and mental health treatment facilities and programs.
- Common Comorbidities with Substance Use Disorders Research Report
- Infographic: Comorbidity: Substance Use and Other Mental Disorders | National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) (nih.gov)
