Co-occurring disorders are a big socio-economic burden on society. These disorders affect people from all walks of life and tend to be even more prevalent among LGBTQ folks. They also often intersect with physical health conditions like HIV & AIDS and viral hepatitis, which further complicates the situation.
If you are struggling with both a mental health issue and substance use, know that help is available. Inspire Recovery knows that treating one part of the picture will not solve the puzzle. That is why we use an integrated treatment approach that improves mental health and leads to long-term recovery from substance abuse.
Co-occurring disorders are the term used to describe a situation where someone lives with a mental health condition and a substance use disorder at the same time. This can appear different from person to person. The co-occurring disorder might be anxiety and alcohol use, depression and opioids, or any other combination of mental health struggles with substance use. What they all share is the way these conditions interact and make each other worse and more difficult to manage without the right support.
Co-occurring disorders are significantly more common among LGBTQ individuals than in the general population. Chronic stress is a big factor as LGBTQ people face ongoing discrimination, family rejection, social stigma, and fear of violence, which increases their vulnerability to anxiety, depression, and substance misuse. Johns Hopkins’ mental health disorder statistics report that while about 26% of the general population reports mental health disorders annually, that number rises to 39% for the LGBTQ community. Substance use rates show a similar disparity, with 20–30% of LGBTQ individuals struggling with addiction compared to just 9% of the broader public.
Transgender individuals, in particular, are at heightened risk. A 2017 study published in the Journal of Adolescent Health reports that trans youth are about four times as likely to misuse prescription drugs or stimulants like cocaine and meth than cispeople. In many cases, addictive substances are used to cope with mental health disorders that stem from internalized shame, isolation, or the pain of marginalization.
LGBTQ people also tend to find the most solace in social environments that center around nightlife, and partying may reinforce substance use. For many LGBTQ people, substance abuse begins with the burden of existing in a world that tells you that you are not supposed to exist. Since Inspire Recovery recognizes these patterns and interrelationships, we are experts at delivering affirming, trauma-informed care for co-occurring disorders in this community.
Physical health conditions like HIV, AIDS, and viral hepatitis are major concerns for people living with co-occurring disorders. Especially those who inject drugs or engage in high-risk behaviors after using substances like poppers, cocaine, meth, and ecstasy. In fact, the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration reports that about 1 in 10 new HIV diagnoses in the U.S. are linked to injection drug use, with even higher risks among people, particularly men who also have sex with men.
Substance use not only raises the risk of getting these infections but can also make the symptoms of HIV worse and cause greater cognitive impairment and neurological damage. Hepatitis C is the most common hepatitis strain among people who inject drugs. It has no vaccine and spreads primarily through blood-to-blood contact. As for hepatitis A and B, they are preventable with vaccines but are still dangerous, especially for those who already have liver damage from drug or alcohol use.
Inspire Recovery treatment programs for co-occurring disorders can include routine testing for HIV and hepatitis at intake, along with risk-reduction counseling. These services play a huge role in reducing future transmission and promoting safer behaviors that support long-term recovery.
Inspire Recovery offers treatment for various co-occurring disorders. From depression to anxiety and drug use to alcohol abuse, our trauma-informed, LGBTQ-affirming care helps so many people reclaim their lives.
Our personalized programs combine evidence-based behavioral therapies with support groups and 12-step programs. We offer treatment flexibility through outpatient options like standard outpatient, intensive outpatient, or partial hospitalization programs. We work with you to find the right path forward, and if you need inpatient care, we can recommend affirming dual diagnosis treatment centers in our network. Contact us today at 561-786-2655 to learn more about how we can help.
How will I know if I have a co-occurring disorder?
You might have a co-occurring disorder if you notice that you are consistently anxious, irritable, fatigued, or unhappy while at the same time finding it hard to quit one or more addictive substances. Mental health disorders often co-exist with substance abuse, and this makes the signs of each condition more difficult to spot. Especially if the substance uses masks or complicates the mental health conditions. Common pointers include sudden changes in behavior, falling behind at work or school, or taking more risks than usual. If you notice these patterns, a professional assessment from Inspire Recovery can help clarify what is going on and guide you toward the right treatment.
Can alcohol help me feel less depressed?
Alcohol may seem like a quick way to feel less depressed, but its effects are misleading. Although this substance could boost your mood by releasing dopamine, this effect only lasts for a short time, and in the long run, alcohol is a depressant that disrupts the brain’s natural mood-regulating chemicals like serotonin. As time goes on, this disruption can worsen feelings of hopelessness, reduce your sleep quality, and make it more difficult to process your emotions in a better way. Even in the short term, alcohol causes a rebound crash in mood.
What can I do if I have more than one substance that I am addicted to?
If you are addicted to more than one substance, this is called polydrug abuse. It can start unintentionally because of contaminated drugs and is very dangerous. One or more mental health conditions might also complicate polydrug abuse and cause you to have a co-occurring disorder. Fortunately, dual diagnosis treatment centers like Inspire Recovery exist, and you can get help from us if you have more than one substance you abuse. We use an integrated approach that includes behavioral therapies and peer support groups within an LGBTQ-affirming environment.
Nationally Accredited Behavioral Health Substance Abuse Treatment Facility with Joint Commission and Department of Children & Family Services
Joint Commission Contact: 1-800-994-6610
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