Primary Addiction Medicine Care of Connecticut recognizes that mental health and substance use disorders are deeply interconnected, with millions of adults experiencing both (co-occurring disorders) simultaneously. People often use substances to self-medicate symptoms of mental illness, while substance abuse can trigger or worsen mental health problems. Both issues often share underlying causes, including shared genetics, environmental stressors, and trauma.

It’s often hard to determine if psychiatric illness is caused by substance use or if patients self-medicate for existing conditions. Our approach is to ensure patients are free from illicit drugs and alcohol and medically stable before making a formal psychiatric diagnosis or treatment plan.

We recommend 90 days of sobriety prior to a thorough psychiatric assessment or treatment for anxiety, depression, or bipolar disorder.   This ensures that substance-induced versus underlying psychiatric symptoms are teased apart appropriately.

When necessary, our integrated biopsychosocial treatment model includes referrals to mental health partners, such as psychiatrists, psychologists, licensed counselors, and social workers.

Key Aspects of the Link

  • Dual Diagnosis/Co-occurring Disorders: This occurs when a person has a substance use disorder (SUD) and a mental health disorder, such as depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder, or schizophrenia.
  • Self-Medication: Individuals with untreated mental health issues may use drugs or alcohol to temporarily ease symptoms like anxiety or hopelessness.
  • Worsening Symptoms: While substances may offer temporary relief, they ultimately aggravate underlying mental illnesses and make them more difficult to treat.
  • Shared Risk Factors: Genetics and brain chemistry play a role in both types of disorders, and environmental factors like trauma can make an individual susceptible to both.
  • Brain Chemistry Impact: Substances can alter brain chemistry in ways that make mental health conditions more likely to develop or return.

Key Statistics & Vulnerabilities

  • High Prevalence: Nearly half of individuals with a severe mental illness also have a substance use disorder.
  • Adolescent Risk: Teenagers with untreated mental health disorders are particularly vulnerable to developing substances use disorders as a coping mechanism.
  • Drug-Specific Risks: Cannabis use is linked to higher risk of psychosis, while misuse of prescription painkillers is strongly associated with depression.

We also encourage and advocate patients partake in some type of group therapy session whether it’s in structured IOP program with a counselor or through Alcoholics Anonymous, Narcotics Anonymous, SMART Recovery, LifeRing, Celebrate Recovery, HAMS, SOS, Women for Sobriety, Rational Recovery.

If you or a loved one are experiencing a mental health crisis, call 988 for help from the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline, available 24/7.

988 Lifeline responds 24/7 to calls, chats or texts from anyone who needs support for suicidal, mental health, and/or substance use crisis, and connects those in need with a counselor who listens and talks through your unique situation to give personal, judgment-free support.