Anxiety, be it separation anxiety, separation anxiety disorder, depression, severe or other wise, are all symptomatic of mental illnesses. Very often, the use of alcohol, or illicit substances is involved in either bringing on the condition in the first place, or a result of the illness due to the person having used these substances to help alleviate the anxiety or depression.

When a person suffers from both of the problems of substance addiction and mental issues at the same time, it is called Co-Occurring Disorder, or sometimes ‘dual diagnosis’.

Co-Occurring Disorder.

This is the term applied when a person suffers from a mental health problem like anxiety, depression, or Bipolar disorder, and a drug or alcohol problem. Both have their own individual symptoms, and both impair the ability of the person to function, relate to other people or cope with life generally. The issue is further complicated because both conditions feed each other and interact.

When the mental illness is untreated, the use of alcohol and illicit substances increases, and when the substance abuse goes untreated, then the mental illness severity increases.

Whichever came first, the mental illness or the substance abuse, the recovery of the person depends upon treating both illnesses, and many people suffering from Co-Disorder can recover to normal health when given the correct support and treatment.

n  Don’t Surrender!  The recovery from Co-Disorder takes time,maybe months or even into years. It takes the total commitment of the person involved plus resilience and personal courage.

n  Combined Treatment.  The person should get combined treatment from the same treatment provider. Integrated treatment for both conditions is more beneficial.

n  Relapses.  Relapses will occur. The person should not become too discouraged at set backs and slips. Perseverance will greatly assist the recovery.

n  Support.  There are many support groups available in every locality, and are excellent if the person rigorously follows their step programs. Alcoholics Anonymous, and Narcotics Anonymous are well know. The affected person should use them!.

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