Substance abuse and mental health are closely connected, yet they’re often misunderstood. Those dealing with a mental health condition often also deal with addiction and vice versa. Because of this situation, called a dual diagnosis or co-occurring disorder, people need thorough treatment and understanding. In this blog, we’ll explore important facts about substance abuse and mental health, shed light on common misconceptions, and explain why integrated treatment is essential for recovery. 1. Substance Abuse and Mental Health Often Go Hand in Hand Studies show that nearly 50% of people with a substance abuse disorder also have a mental health condition such as anxiety, depression , bipolar disorder, or PTSD. Even though this often happens, it does not suggest that one problem causes the other. Sometimes, an individual may use drugs or alcohol as a way to deal with their mental health problem. It is possible that substance use will make those symptoms worse and lead to a hard-to-stop ci...