Keeping up with life when you have a mental health disorder can be spiritually, mentally, and physically exhausting. For many of our patients in Wisconsin, managing a mental health condition alone—whether it’s undiagnosed or actively treated—can be the driving reason that their substance use started in the first place. And if you currently attend inpatient care in Middleton or receive support through our Waukesha-based outpatient center, you might feel that you need more education around everything that’s going on under the surface.
This blog walks you through what it means to have co-occurring disorders, why substance use and poor mental health often go hand-in-hand, and how treatment at Miramont Behavioral Health can help.
Co-Occurring Disorders: What to Know
Co-occurring disorders happen when you’re dealing with a mental health disorder and a substance use disorder (SUD) at the same time. You might also hear professionals refer to co-occurring disorders as co-morbidity. Two conditions can occur simultaneously, or one may trigger or follow the other. Either way, they often interact, making treatment more complex.
Here’s what you should know:
- Co-morbidity is common. Research shows that nearly half of all people living with a mental illness may also struggle with SUD at some point in their lives.
- Teens are at risk, too, with the majority of adolescents attending community-based programs for substance use also meeting mental health disorder criteria.
- Serious mental illness can make treatment even more necessary. A noticeable percentage of people with serious mental illness—like schizophrenia or major depression—also have a substance issue.
- Prescription opioid misuse can be more likely in people living with a mental health disorder.
Is Co-Morbidity More Common in People With SUD?
Yes, and not just when it comes to mental health. Many physical health issues also show up alongside SUD, and some clients live with more than one type of substance use at the same time. This can make treatment more necessary.
Some of the most common co-occurring conditions include:
- Cancer. Smoking contributes to most lung cancer cases and around one-third of all cancer deaths. People who use substances are more likely to smoke, and alcohol use is linked to several types of cancer.
- Chronic pain. Long-term use of opioids for pain can lead to opioid use disorder. Nearly half of the people with this condition also deal with chronic pain, which can often accompany depression or emotional distress.
- Heart disease. Using alcohol, heroin, cocaine, methamphetamine, or prescription stimulants can raise your risk for heart issues.
- Sleep problems. Drug use can mess with your sleep cycle and throw off the body’s internal clock. That disruption can make cravings and withdrawal harder and may even increase your risk of relapse.
- Polysubstance use. Some people struggle with more than one substance. For example, you might be dealing with issues around alcohol, cannabis, and tobacco all at once. Scientists have found genetic links between multiple SUDs, and using more than one substance can increase overdose risk.
- Mental illnesses closely linked with substance use. These may include: Anxiety (like panic disorder or PTSD), depression, bipolar disorder, ADHD, schizophrenia, borderline, and antisocial personality disorders.
Treatment For Co-Occurring Disorders
Recent research shows that integrated treatment tends to lead to better outcomes. Our care team looks at your whole picture—your symptoms, medical history, mental health, and substance use—and builds a plan that fits your needs. Treatment can include therapy, medication, or a combination of both, depending on the specific conditions. If opioids are involved, there are also effective medication options available.
People with co-occurring disorders often deal with more severe symptoms and need longer care, but that doesn’t mean things won’t improve. It just means you need a place that sees you, and at Miramont Behavioral Health, that’s exactly what you’ll get.
Miramont offers:
- Inpatient treatment in Middleton for people who need 24/7 care, medication support, and structured daily programming
- Outpatient treatment in Waukesha for those who benefit from a structured program during the day but return home at night
- Treatment for dual diagnosis with professionals who understand how mental health and substance use interact and how to treat both together
- Customized care plans designed with you in mind, whether you’re struggling with depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder, or something else
- Assessment and diagnosis tools that help your care team avoid missed or mistaken diagnoses and make sure you’re getting the right support
Get Mental Health Support in Wisconsin
No one should have to untangle co-morbidity on their own. Whether you’re struggling with one diagnosis or several, you deserve compassionate care that addresses all of it. That’s why we’re here to support patients in Middleton and Waukesha with care that meets them where they are—and helps them move toward where they want to be. Contact us today to take the next step toward clarity, healing, and the life you’ve been trying to reach.
