Alcohol & Health
Treatment
Helping Alcoholics
Medically Reviewed by Annamarie Coy, BA, ICPR, MATS
Medically Reviewed by Annamarie Coy, BA, ICPR, MATS
In this article
A co-occurring disorder is when an individual receives a dual diagnosis for both a substance use disorder (SUD) and mental health disorder.
The co-occurrence of alcohol and mental health disorders is prevalent in the U.S. One in four adults with a mental health disorder also suffers from alcohol use disorder (AUD). Both conditions have similar underlying causes, such as:
Unfortunately, many people with underlying mental health conditions turn to substance use. They may do so to self-medicate and alleviate the negative feelings associated with their mental illnesses.
Alcohol use disorder (AUD), formerly known as alcoholism, is an unhealthy form of alcohol use, including regularly drinking excessively and binge drinking.
While not all symptoms may manifest in one person, a person with AUD may experience some of the symptoms listed below.
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People with substance use problems are predisposed to mental health disorders. Because alcohol is a depressant, it can trigger symptoms in those predisposed to depression.
Those with existing mental health conditions may also use alcohol to self-medicate. When symptoms of mental health disorders escalate, alcohol provides a quick mood boost and relieves symptoms temporarily. But once the effects wear off, the symptoms worsen, creating a vicious cycle of drinking and mood changes.
Alcohol and mood swings can be linked to each other. Drinking alcohol increases confidence and decreases inhibition. However, alcohol affects everyone differently.
You may experience mood swings, such as increased euphoria or depression. Excessive alcohol consumption to the point of alcohol abuse can also disrupt your sleep cycle, leading to poor sleep quality and mood problems.
Overall, the effects of alcohol can lead to:
Those who drink heavily also experience "numb" emotions, making them feel apathetic and uninterested when not drinking.
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Turning to alcohol rather than coping with your mental health problems can worsen your mental state and overall well-being.
Heavy drinking can result in dire consequences, such as:
Alcohol addiction or alcohol use disorder requires professional help and can worsen without proper mental health care. Left untreated can lead to dangerous and potentially life-threatening side effects.
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The U.S. has a high co-occurrence of alcohol abuse and mental health disorders. Certain mental health disorders are highly prevalent in people who have alcohol dependence.
These include mood disorders like:
Mood disorders are the most common mental health disorders among people with alcohol use disorder (AUD).
Depression affects over 16 million adults in the U.S. every year.14 This condition negatively affects how one feels, thinks, and handles daily activities.
Symptoms of depression include:
People who struggle with depression can be highly susceptible to substance abuse since drugs and alcohol can temporarily improve mood.
Bipolar disorder is a condition that causes mood swings ranging from manic highs to depressive lows. These mood swings can affect everything, from sleep and energy levels to a person’s ability to think clearly.
A significant correlation exists between bipolar disorder and alcohol use, with a higher prevalence observed among individuals with bipolar disorder.
Symptoms of bipolar disorder depend on whether it's manic or depressive.
Mania or Hypomania Symptoms:
Depressive Symptoms:
Anxiety is a normal part of life. However, those with anxiety disorders experience frequent, intense episodes of fear about everyday situations. These fears can affect daily activities and make life very difficult.
Symptoms of anxiety disorders include:
There are also many different anxiety disorders, such as:
Schizophrenia is a complex and severe mental health condition characterized by disruptions in perception, thinking, emotions, and behavior that affect how a person interprets reality.
People with schizophrenia may experience hallucinations, delusions, and impaired thinking that can be disabling. It is one of the top 15 causes of disability worldwide.
While substance abuse is common in people with schizophrenia, alcohol abuse dramatically increases the risk of schizophrenia in those predisposed to the condition.
Symptoms of schizophrenia include:
Treatment for co-occurring conditions presents unique challenges. Treating only one condition may worsen the other and can increase the occurrence of relapse.
Those who suffer from mental health disorders and substance abuse require specialized treatment. Treatment should also take place in a facility experienced in treating co-occurring conditions.
A treatment program typically begins with a detox because symptoms of addiction often mimic those of mental health conditions. By detoxing first, medical providers can evaluate what symptoms are alcohol-related.
Once the detox is complete, treatment will focus on the mental health condition. The treatment process may include:
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