Concurrent Disorders
Concurrent disorders (CD for short) happen when a person experiences mental illness and and either a substance abuse disorder and/or a gambling disorder. It is important to keep in mind that there are many different kinds of problems that are covered by these various terms (psychiatric disorder etc); as a result, CD can exist due to a number of combinations.
For example, someone living with schizophrenia who has problems with marijuana use has a concurrent disorder. So does a person who has problems with alcohol use and is clinically depressed. Treatment approaches for each person would be different.
A person with a mental health problem has a higher risk of having a drug or alcohol use problem, just as a person with a substance use problem has an increased chance of having a mental health problem.
Concurrent disorders can include combinations such as:
* an anxiety and drinking problem
* schizophrenia and marijuana dependence
* borderline personality disorder and heroin dependence
* depression and dependence on sleeping pills
* many other concurrent disorders are possible, because there are many types of mental health and substance use problems
Concurrent disorders are also sometimes called:
* dual disorders
* dual diagnosis
* co-occurring substance use and mental health problems
There is no one symptom or group of symptoms that is common to all combinations. To understand and treat a particular combination, we need to look at the specific problems to see:
* how severe the problems are
* how the problems affect each other
Some people with concurrent disorders have severe problems with both their mental health and their substance use. This makes it hard to get through day to day life. While other people may have milder mental health and substance use problems, the impact on their lives can still be tough.
People with concurrent disorders are likely to get treatment in one of the following settings:
* from a family doctor
* a mental health agency
* a drug/alcohol abuse agency
* specialized concurrent disorders treatment programs
Mental health issues and substance use can affect each other in several ways:
* Substance use can make mental health issues worse.
* Substance use can mimic or hide the symptoms of mental health issues.
* Sometimes people turn to substance use to “relieve” or forget about the symptoms of mental health issues.
* Some substances can make mental health medications less effective.
* Using substances can make people forget to take their medications.
A person with concurrent disorders will often have more serious medical, social and emotional problems than if he or she had only one condition. Treatment may take longer and be more challenging.