A person who has alcohol or drug problems and emotional/psychiatric problems is said to have co-occurring disorders. To recover fully, the person needs treatment for both problems. Co-occurring disorders are more common than you might think. According to a report published by the Journal of the American Medical Association:
- Thirty-seven percent of people with alcohol use disorders and 53 percent of people with substance/drug use disorders also have at least one serious mental illness.
- Of all people diagnosed as mentally ill, 29 percent currently misuse either alcohol or drugs and 60 percent will misuse either alcohol or other drugs some time during their lifetime.
Learn more about co-occurring disorders through the links below:
A Person-Centered Guide for Mental Illness and Substance Use Disorders - from the Council on Quality Leadership
Evidence Based Practices: Shaping Mental Health Services Toward Recovery - Integrated Treatment for Co-occurring Disorders Toolkit
Co-occurring Disorders (COD) training
Co-Occurring Fact Sheet for Adults - CPS Facts
Substance Abuse & Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) - Co-Occurring Center for Excellence
Mid-America Addiction Technology Transfer Center Network
Dual Diagnosis Recovery Network