Co-occurring disorder represents the simultaneous occurrence of both mental disorder and substance abuse in an individual. The severity of this condition depends on the severity of the two diseases that occur at the same time.
Two sides of a coin
Alcohol and drug abuse is a problem because on or the other interferes with standard functions of an individual. It is an issue when the individual can’t work as they should, won’t socialize and in general, they ruin everything they touch. Alcohol and drug abuse destroy health at a slow pace, and thus the abuser can experience adverse health effects in several years due to abuse at the moment. Alcohol and drug dependence is the next level of substance abuse, and it becomes a serious issue when it appears as one half of the co-occurring disorder.
On the other hand mood and anxiety disorders are the most common elements of the co-occurring illness. Abuse and dependence can help in the development of mental diseases that affect the brain. Individuals that suffer from severe mental disorders (schizophrenia and similar conditions) can also suffer from co-occurring conditions. An alarming number of such individuals deal with co-occurring disorders.
Treatment of the co-occurring disorder
co-occurring disorder treatment is complicated, and not every party should be allowed to perform it. Some professionals who treat abuse advise the patient to go with a treatment that involves no drugs, which includes medications for mental disorders. This is a wrong way to treat a patient, and it can lead to severe side-effects.
Both disorders are entwined, and thus they have adverse effects on each other. Treatment of one above the other will also cause adverse effects, and therefore not everyone with a doctoral degree should tackle this issue. The proper treatment of patients with this complex condition is to address both sides of the coin at the same time. This simultaneous treatment of both diseases will ensure that both illnesses get treated, and no side-effects of one process adversely affect the other.
Living with co-occurring disorders
It’s sad to say that a lot of people have to live with two disorders at the same time. Those that don’t seek proper treatment tend to live a short life due to the deadly nature of the combination. Those that live with co-occurring disorders have to learn how to live without particular things to prevent worsening of their situation.
Treatment programs for co-occurring illnesses include the code of behavior as it helps in the whole process of treating both problems. This includes everything from mundane things like the improvement of sleep habits and enhancement of relationships in work and with family to more complex and severe elements of life. These complicated elements include dealing with stress aka removing the causes of pressure as they lead to worsening of both the substance abuse and mental disorders, and management of chronic medical conditions who work in the same way as the stress. The patient needs to follow the instructions of a doctor if they want to get rid of co-occurring disorders and live a healthy life.
