Key Takeaways

• Co-occurring disorders affect a significant percentage of individuals with mental health or substance use issues.
• Dual diagnosis treatment is essential to address both conditions simultaneously for lasting recovery.
• At Living Longer Recovery, our expert team offers medical detox, PHP, CBT, DBT, and other therapies designed to support individuals with co-occurring disorders.

Overlap Between Mental Illness and Addiction

Imagine treating addiction, only to discover something deeper was never addressed. That “something” could be a mental health disorder. Co-occurring disorders, or dual diagnosis, impact millions in the United States. These conditions develop when someone lives with both a mental illness and a substance use disorder, like drug addiction or alcohol abuse. Understanding how widespread this is—and that help is available—can be the first step to lasting recovery. If you or someone close is dealing with anxiety, depression, or bipolar disorder along with drug abuse or alcohol, you’re far from alone. At Living Longer Recovery, we provide individualized, evidence-based care for those living with co-occurring mental health and substance use disorders. 

What Are Co-Occurring Disorders?

Co-occurring disorders refer to the presence of both a mental health disorder and a substance use disorder. These two conditions happen at the same time in one person. These two conditions can feed into each other, making symptoms worse and recovery more difficult without integrated care.

A person might:

• Use alcohol to ease the symptoms of depression.
• Turn to opioids or cannabis to self-medicate anxiety or bipolar disorder.
• Struggle to stay sober because untreated mental illness increases relapse risk.

Living Longer Recovery specializes in dual diagnosis treatment. Our facility in Desert Hot Springs provides a calm, supportive environment. It helps people begin healing the whole person, not just the substance use.

Are Co-Occurring Disorders Common?

Yes, co-occurring disorders are common. According to national statistics:

• Around 50% of individuals with a mental health disorder will experience a substance use disorder in their lifetime.
• Approximately 1 in 4 adults with serious mental illness also struggles with drug abuse or alcohol abuse.

The intersection of mental health and substance use is not rare. It’s frequent. In fact, the National Institute on Drug Abuse estimates that more than 9 million Americans experience co-occurring disorders annually.

These statistics highlight how important integrated care really is. At Living Longer Recovery, we treat both conditions together using medical and therapeutic approaches.

What Disorders Are Most Often Comorbid?

Common Mental Illnesses Seen With Substance Abuse

• Depression
  Some individuals reach for alcohol or cocaine as a quick fix to ease their emotional pain or sadness. While it may seem to help at first, this often deepens their depression over time. It can make recovery even harder without proper support and guidance.
• Anxiety Disorders
  People living with chronic anxiety often feel trapped in a state of constant tension or fear. In an attempt to find relief, they may misuse substances like benzodiazepines, marijuana, or heroin. While these might provide temporary calm, they frequently lead to dependence and worsen anxiety symptoms over time.
• Bipolar Disorder
  There’s a particularly strong connection between bipolar disorder and the use of alcohol or stimulants. Many individuals with bipolar disorder use these substances to manage intense mood swings or periods of emotional instability. Unfortunately, this often leads to dependency, which can make both conditions harder to treat without professional help.
• Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
  This condition is frequently connected to the misuse of opioids or alcohol. Many veterans and trauma survivors turn to these substances in an effort to numb painful memories or emotional distress. They may not realize how easily dependence can develop when that pain remains unresolved.

Common Substance Use Disorders in Dual Diagnosis

• Alcohol abuse
• Opioid addiction (including fentanyl and heroin)
• Cocaine and stimulant misuse
• Cannabis or marijuana dependency

What Are the Two Most Common Co-Occurring Disorders?

Alcoholism and depression are the most frequently seen combination in treatment centers. This pairing often stems from individuals trying to dull the emotional weight of depressive symptoms with alcohol. Unfortunately, this only deepens the issue over time. A close second is anxiety disorders paired with opioid use. This is where people may turn to opioids in an attempt to find relief from constant worry or panic. They may not realize this coping method can quickly become a dangerous cycle.

Why Do Co-Occurring Disorders Happen Together?

There isn’t always a clear cause, but several theories help explain why mental illness and substance abuse are so interconnected:

• Shared Risk Factors
  Genetics, early trauma, and brain chemistry can increase vulnerability to both mental illness and addiction.
• Self-Medication
  Individuals may use drugs or alcohol to numb emotional pain, temporarily relieving mental health symptoms.
• Neurochemical Disruption
  Drugs and alcohol alter brain chemistry in ways that can trigger or worsen anxiety, depression, or other disorders.

Without addressing both conditions, long-term recovery is unlikely. That’s why Living Longer Recovery offers treatments like CBT, DBT, and medication-assisted treatment (MAT). We also provide dual diagnosis programs designed specifically for each client’s needs. Our goal is to treat both the mental health condition and the substance use disorder with equal care and attention.

Do 20% of People With a Mental Health Disorder Have a Co-Occurring Substance Use Disorder?

Yes. In fact, estimates suggest that roughly 20%–25% of people with a mental health disorder also have a co-occurring substance use disorder. This statistic comes from studies conducted by SAMHSA and other reputable sources.

Here’s what this looks like in real life:

• Someone living with anxiety may use cannabis daily to calm their nerves.
• A person struggling with bipolar disorder may binge drink during depressive episodes.
• Individuals with schizophrenia are more likely to use stimulants or alcohol as a form of escapism.

Because of these overlaps, early identification and integrated treatment is critical. Our team at Living Longer Recovery is trained to recognize these patterns and treat both problems at once.

What Mental Illness Do Most Addicts Have?

No single mental illness dominates every addiction case. However, research shows a strong link between addiction and:

• Depression
• Anxiety
• PTSD
• Bipolar disorder
• Schizophrenia

Each of these conditions makes it more difficult to stay sober without professional support. Individuals with untreated mental illnesses often relapse more quickly and more frequently.

That’s why Living Longer Recovery combines evidence-based therapies with detox and long-term care options. Clients at Living Longer Recovery receive ongoing support to manage both mental illness and substance use. This support is available through our inpatient rehab, outpatient program, and partial hospitalization program (PHP). Each option is designed to meet people where they are in their recovery and provide the level of care they need.

How Living Longer Recovery Treats Co-Occurring Disorders

Our Desert Hot Springs facility is a peaceful space equipped to support deep healing. We offer:

• Medical detox for substances like alcohol, opioids, fentanyl, and heroin
• A full dual diagnosis program for those with co-occurring mental health conditions
• Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) to address harmful thinking patterns
• Dialectical behavior therapy (DBT) to build emotional regulation skills
• Art and holistic therapies for stress relief and self-expression
• A supportive family program to help loved ones participate in the recovery process

When someone enters Living Longer Recovery, we welcome them with empathy. We are committed to understanding their full story—not just the substance use. Our goal is to support healing on every level. That includes emotional struggles, psychological pain, and physical dependency. We strive to create a space where long-term wellness feels real and achievable.

Take The First Step at Living Longer Recovery

Co-occurring disorders are not rare. They affect millions of people across all ages, backgrounds, and walks of life. If you or someone you love is dealing with mental illness and substance abuse, you’re not alone—and effective help exists.

At Living Longer Recovery, we understand the connection between mental health and addiction. Our specialized programs are built to help clients break free from both. With evidence-based therapies, compassionate staff, and a state-of-the-art facility in Desert Hot Springs, you can move forward with confidence. Call Living Longer Recovery Today!

FAQs

1. What are co-occurring disorders?
Co-occurring disorders refer to the presence of both a mental health condition and a substance use disorder in the same person.

2. Are co-occurring disorders common?
Yes, they are very common. Around 50% of people with a mental illness will experience a substance use disorder during their lifetime.

3. What disorders are most often comorbid?
The most common combinations include depression and alcohol use, anxiety and opioid misuse, and bipolar disorder with stimulant addiction.

4. Do 20% of people with a mental health disorder have a co-occurring substance use disorder?
Yes. About 1 in 5 individuals with mental illness also experience substance abuse, often requiring dual diagnosis treatment.

5. What mental illness do most addicts have?
While it varies, the most common mental health conditions seen in addiction cases are depression, anxiety, PTSD, and bipolar disorder.