Resource Guide: Co-Occurring Disorders
Also known as dual diagnosis or comorbidity, co-occurring disorders are common and present unique challenges for prevention and treatment.
What are Co-Occurring Disorders?
Co-occurring disorders are when a person has been diagnosed with two or more disorders.
Comorbidity occurs frequently with mental illnesses and substance use disorders (SUD). Mental health and substance use are intricately connected with each other. According to SAMHSA, 21.5 million Americans live with both substance use and mental health disorders, and 1 in 5 adults experience a mental health challenge during their lifetime.
People with co-occurrence may face unique challenges, compared to individuals who have a single disorder.
-
When a psychiatric disorder co-occurs with a SUD, each can vary in severity, and that severity can shift over time.
-
They may experience more physical health concerns and treatment options can be more complex.
-
Interactions between these two disorders can worsen the course of both.
For recovery to be successful, co-occurring disorders need to be taken into account, and must be treated simultaneously. It’s been shown that addressing co-occurring conditions decreases the risk of relapse.
Learn More
Related Information & Resources
5 Minority Celebrities & MH Struggles
Many BIPOC celebrities have experienced mental health issues in the limelight. Despite these difficulties, they have been able to rise above.
Speaker Series with Sideah Alladice
Watch an interview with Sideah as she recounts a 17-year battle with mental health, starting with a suicide attempt and ending in sobriety.
Start Conversations Without Stigma
You might be surprised to find the stigma of addiction affects you more than you realize. Learn more about yourself before you ask about others.
