Recovery from addiction—and managing your mental health in the long run—is better with support. Having a network of people that you can count on, like friends, family, therapists, and sponsors, can help you stay sober. Mental health support can continue long after you get sober and finish rehab. Medication management, continued therapy, and group meetings are all valuable tools that you can use to keep making progress.
The Connection Between Mental Health and Addiction
According to NIDA, about half of all people who have substance use disorder (SUD) also live with a mental health condition. It’s not always clear what comes first, especially for those who have misused drugs or alcohol for a while. Long-term substance use can make mental health symptoms worse and can even cause some mental health conditions to develop.
Some mental health conditions that occur with substance use disorder include:
- Depression
- Bipolar disorder
- Anxiety disorders
- Schizophrenia
- Obsessive-compulsive disorders
- Phobias
- Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
For people who have pre-existing mental health conditions, substance use can be a chance to escape from their symptoms or circumstances. The longer they rely on drugs or alcohol to self-medicate, though, the harder it is to get sober.
How Circumstances and Mental Health Conditions Lead to Addiction
Many people begin using addictive substances as a means to escape their circumstances. Certain circumstances can be risk factors for mental health and addiction issues. These are often negative life experiences and include:
- Trauma
- Poverty
- Abuse
- Neglect
- Work stress
- Peer pressure
- Social expectations
- Injury and physical ailments
Negative experiences can form and reinforce beliefs someone has about the world around them, which influences their mental health. For example, if someone experiences a traumatic event and lives with unresolved trauma, they might feel isolated and distrustful of others. They might turn to drugs or alcohol to try and escape from intense sadness or anger. Over time, they might feel like this is the only way they can cope with their feelings—all while their dependence on substances grows stronger. It turns into a cycle that seems inescapable, but support is available, and recovery is possible.
Mental Health Support in Addiction Recovery
If you or someone you know is suffering from addiction and an underlying mental health condition, attending dual diagnosis treatment can be vital to recovery. People with a dual diagnosis are more likely to relapse after they get sober, and a supportive rehab program can help them avoid the challenges of early recovery, teach skills for sustained recovery, and create a personal aftercare plan.
Navigate Early Challenges
Withdrawal symptoms and cravings are common in the first few weeks of recovery. Professional treatment can provide the right tools to make them more manageable. Medication-assisted treatment (MAT) and medication management help many people have fewer symptoms, which can make it easier to stay sober.
Valuable Skills for Long-Term Progress
Getting to the root cause of substance use and mental health issues is one of the most valuable aspects of treatment and is usually done during individual therapy sessions. Licensed therapists use evidence-based and holistic methods to help people understand their triggers, develop coping skills, and discover healthier ways to live.
Personal Aftercare Plan
After rehab is complete, a personal aftercare plan can help someone stay committed to the recovery process. It’s important not to stop treatment once you get sober because addiction is a chronic condition that requires ongoing maintenance. Continuing therapy, attending group meetings, and taking any prescribed medication are all essential components of a successful aftercare routine.
Managing your mental health takes practice, and you won’t always know the best way to approach the challenges you run into. Having support from friends, family, therapists, and sponsors can make a world of difference. With the right tools and support system in place, you can stay sober and keep making progress toward the future you want to live.
Get the Help You Deserve
At Red Oak Recovery®, we provide trauma-informed treatment for co-occurring mental health conditions and addiction. Our clinician-led men’s rehab center provides the tools our clients need to grow and overcome their challenges.
Located in the natural beauty of the Blue Ridge Mountains in North Carolina, our campus can be the perfect place for you to reclaim your future and start living life on your terms. Call 828.382.9699 or contact us online to get started.
