In recent decades, there’s been more of a consensus that addiction and co-occurring mental health disorders should be treated together. This is in part because people who have an untreated mental health disorder may self-medicate with alcohol or drugs. Self-medicating is using substances to cope with the symptoms of a mental health disorder. For instance, a person with anxiety may drink alcohol because it lowers inhibitions. However, ultimately, alcohol ends up exacerbating anxiety. This is true for most addictive substances. Self-medicating often leads to an unhealthy cycle of drinking or using drugs to alleviate symptoms, only to have those symptoms become stronger. Almost 38% of people with a substance use disorder also have a mental health disorder.[1] However, 52.5% of people with co-occurring disorders receive no treatment at all, for either addiction or mental health. Treatment for co-occurring disorders should address both. Getting help for the underlying mental health disorder takes away the need to self-medicate. Meanwhile, removing drugs and alcohol eases some of the symptoms, and allows people to work on their mental health. If you are struggling with a substance use or mental health disorder, there is help and hope. Amatus Recovery Centers offers high-quality treatment for mental health disorders and addiction in facilities across the country. Our staff specialize in treating co-occurring disorders, and understand the importance of addressing them together. To learn more, call an admissions specialist at 410-593-0005. [1] https://www.drugabuse.gov/drug-topics/trends-statistics/infographics/comorbidity-substance-use-other-mental-disorders