What is a substance abuse disorder?
You can overcome your struggles with mental health and substance abuse. And with support and diligence, you will go on to have a successful life.
What constitutes a co-occurring disorder?
A co-occuring disorder is any combination of addiction and mental health issues. This may involve alcohol and depression, anxiety and cocaine, or many others. And if you or a loved one are struggling with a co-occuring disorder, then you know the kind of havoc the condition can cause.
Even on their own, addiction and mental health issues are difficult challenges to surmount. Both will affect many factors of life, such as work and finances. And relationships with family and significant others will also be tested.
If you are struggling with both at the same time, the challenges will be even greater. You want to improve, and be healthy and stable. But with twice the weight of a single condition on your shoulders, you feel overwhelmed.
Depending on your background, a co-occuring disorder might come about in many ways. You might have mental health issues that start in childhood, and lead to addiction down the line. (Substance abuse is often a form of self-medication for mental illness.) Or you may develop an addiction that ends up causing mental health issues itself.
Treatment for co-occurring disorders
Both the co-occurring disorder and the life events that led to it are difficult to overcome. Especially on your own. But with support and guidance, you can work through them.
To begin recovery, you will start an integrated treatment program. This will consist of lifestyle changes (including sleep habits and nutrition). It will also include treatment geared towards substance abuse and mental health.
Some components of that treatment include:
- Medical Detox
- Evaluation and diagnosis
- Treatment plan (developed for you personally)
- Therapy (personal and possibly group and/or family)
- Aftercare plan
In order for recovery to begin, the physical components will come first.
Once you have a diagnosis, you will receive help in developing a treatment plan. This will consist of therapy, which is the cornerstone in your journey to recovery.
Mental illness and addiction feed into each other. So just as the medical component is vital, so too is the mental component. True recovery can only be achieved by addressing both.
You will receive one-on-one therapy to begin addressing mental health issues. You will address the past life events that may have led you to this point, and unpack them in a safe space. And you will be able to develop personal plans for your progress in the present and future.
We will be with you every step of the way. Your treatment plan will be entirely dependent on your needs. If you have a partner or family whose relationship with you has been affected, we will provide a space to heal those connections. We may also recommend group therapy, whether focused on mental health or addiction support.
Developing those personal connections outside of therapy will only serve to enhance your recovery process. And even as you improve and start looking toward aftercare, we recommend maintaining an ongoing therapy routine. Recovery is a long journey, but a worthwhile one. And you deserve support in that process.
Would you like to learn more about addiction recovery support?
Please follow this link to access educational resources, testimonials, and to find additional support:
Our Expert Clinicians
Therapists and Coaches who work with clients experiencing Co-occuring Addictions.
Here’s what to expect when you work with us:
Free Phone Consult:
At Bricolage, we extend a free 15-minute phone consultation to make sure we are a good fit to work together. We will discuss what your goals are, explain what therapy will look like, and how your life will be different after working with us. By the end of this call, you will have
a clear idea of your next steps.
Initial Session:
Your first meeting with your therapist will be between 60 and 70 minutes and will allow the two of you to begin to build a relationship.
You will go over the information you provided before this initial session as well as dive into all of the elements of your story. Throughout
this appointment, you and your therapist will work as a team to create your action plan.
Weekly Sessions:
Once you and your therapist begin to work deeply together, you will experience a type of treatment that has been completely tailored
to you and your needs. Your therapist will take keen notice of where you are in your wellness journey and ensure that the exercises you complete in session will bring you a sense of comfort and peace as you move forward.
Completion of Goals
As a team, you and your therapist will continue to evaluate your progress and growth. Eventually, the two of you will recognize that you
are responding to stressors more effectively and that weekly therapy might no longer be necessary. At this point you can choose to come to session less often and together you will decide what level of support you need for the future.
