An NIH study reveals that 85% of people treated for substance use disorder relapse within one year. The question is why? Often, it’s because providers fail to address mental health disorders that may contribute to drug abuse.
According to research, 38.1% of individuals with mood disorders self-medicate with drugs. Rather than see a doctor, they use toxic substances to manage their symptoms. Although they may experience temporary relief, they will often find themselves on a downward slope.
Fortunately, modern providers are beginning to understand the prevalence of co-occurring disorders and use an integrated care approach, treating both the addiction and its underlying cause. This article will discuss what that entails.
What is Self-Medication?
Self-medication occurs when people fail to get help for their mental health symptoms. Instead of going to a doctor, they use drugs and alcohol to feel better. However, they may not realize they are just sending themselves on a downward spiral.
Many drugs and substances may provide a temporary escape, but they also cause a crash that can be devastating to people with mental illness. Additionally, long-term use rewires the brain, making symptoms worse.
Often, people who use substances also find that they damage professional and personal relationships. They may spend a lot of money on drugs, leading to financial issues. Some even get into legal trouble due to DUI accidents and theft, or experience health conditions.
All of these outcomes increase stress and anxiety, exacerbating mental health symptoms, feeding a cycle of addiction.
Why is Self-Medication So Prevalent?
Self-medication is not recommended, but unfortunately, many people turn to drugs and alcohol to calm their symptoms. The question is, why? Here are some factors to consider.
- Stigmas: A 2011 study reveals that 36% of people with a severe mental illness experience internalized stigmas that prevent them from getting help. They are taught to believe that mental illness and getting help are signs of weakness. Rather than reaching out, they internalize their problems and calm their symptoms with drugs and alcohol.
- No Access to Help: A lack of access is also a problem. For example, a State of Mental Health report shows over 5 million people with mental health issues were uninsured in 2024, limiting their ability to afford care. The same report states there are 320 individuals for every mental health provider in the U.S., making it difficult to schedule appointments and attain care.
- Denial: Some people are in denial about their mental health needs. They don’t think their issues are that bad, and they refuse to see a provider. These individuals often turn to substance use, thinking drugs and alcohol are enough to manage their symptoms.
Various organizations are working to raise awareness to reduce stigma and increase access to care. However, self-medication is all too prevalent in our society.
Integrating Mental Health and Substance Use Disorder Care
Fortunately, many of today’s providers understand that substance use is tied to mental health issues and take an integrated care approach, addressing both the addiction and its underlying cause. Here’s what care often looks like in this setting.
- Detox: The first step is detox, which addresses the physical issues of substance abuse. Providers typically help patients get through withdrawal, supervising them to prevent relapse in the early stages. They will also provide medications to reduce cravings and unpleasant physical symptoms.
- Evidence-Based Practices: Mental health professionals will determine which approaches are best suited to the patient’s needs and begin an intensive program to treat symptoms.
- Ongoing Care: After patients complete initial recovery, which typically involves a 30–90-day care plan, they will be recommended to ongoing care to maintain sobriety. This will typically involve weekly individual and/or group therapy meetings, a regular schedule of wellness activities, and skills training, helping the person become gainfully employed.
Integrated care can take place in inpatient and outpatient settings, according to the patient’s lifestyle, level of addiction, and other factors.
What Evidence-Based Practices are Recommended for Co-Occurring Disorders?
Though every part of treatment is important, providers must focus on evidence-based practices tailored to patients’ needs to help them achieve optimal wellness. Here are some commonly integrated therapies.
- Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT): Focuses on changing negative thought processes to promote a more positive outlook and break the addiction cycle.
- Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT): Teaches people to manage emotions healthily.
- Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT): Helps individuals accept their emotions rather than fight them.
- Motivational Enhancement Therapy (MET): Motivates patients to want to change by discussing the pros and cons of their current behavior.
- Family Program: Families are often brought into therapy to learn how their relationships may be impacting substance use and to ensure they provide a healthy environment for their loved one.
- Group Therapy: Individuals may engage in group therapy to gain peer support from those who have had similar experiences.
Maintaining Optimal Wellness
Even with an integrated approach, patients often relapse. Therefore, providers usually recommend strategies for ongoing care, which may include the following:
- A Healthy Diet and Exercise Routine: Diet and exercise promote healthy living and increase health awareness, reducing the likelihood that patients will ingest toxic substances. They also decrease stress and can boost self-esteem. Exercise is a healthy habit that can take a person’s mind off substance use.
- Ongoing Treatments: Patients are often encouraged to continue attending treatment sessions, including individual and group therapy meetings, on an outpatient basis.
- Meditation and Mindfulness: Deep breathing, meditation, and other stress-relieving therapies can help people manage mental health symptoms and addiction, taking it one step at a time.
- Positive Social Situations: People often relapse because they fall back in with the people they used with. Rehab providers will recommend that the individual avoid substance users and engage with those who provide positive support. Some clinics even offer group therapies and events, which help clients make positive social connections.
- Skills Training: Providers may also recommend resources for skills training to help the individual become gainfully employed, integrate into society, and feel better about themselves.
What are the Benefits of Integrated Care?
Integrated care helps people achieve long-term results. Here are some statistics to consider.
- Improved Psychiatric Outcomes: A 2023 study found that patients who received integrated treatments experienced fewer mental health symptoms than those treated with a non-integrated approach. They experienced fewer psychiatric-related hospitalizations and arrests.
- Comprehensive Services: According to Urban.org, integrated treatments are more likely to include comprehensive services like suicide treatment (52.9%) and inpatient and outpatient options.
- Improved Program Quality: A Research Institute Technology study found that integrated care programs are better able to provide dual diagnosis treatment and continuity of care than non-integrated approaches.
- More Demand: According to Urban Institute research, only 15.5% clinics nationwide offer integrated care. However, those that do see higher enrolment, suggesting a higher demand due to positive feedback.
BlueCrest Recovery Center Offers an Integrated Approach
BlueCrest Recovery Center is among the few in the nation to offer integrated care, resulting in higher success rates. We tailor recovery plans, catering to each patient’s unique substance abuse issue and mental health condition, offering various treatments. Our team utilizes a holistic approach, considering clinical and spiritual needs when developing a strategy for long-term sobriety.
Contact us when you’re ready to move on from addiction and achieve a higher quality of life.
FAQs
What does dual diagnosis mean?
Dual diagnosis is the approach used in co-occurring disorders. It addresses both the substance abuse problems and underlying mental health issues to support long-term sobriety.
How many people have co-occurring disorders?
A SAMHSA study shows 21.2 million adults were diagnosed with both a substance abuse and mental illness disorder in 2024.
Does insurance cover integrated care?
Parity laws require coverage for integrated care on par with medical and surgical procedures. However, the coverage varies by plan and provider.
What levels of care are included with integrated treatment?
Integrated treatment may take place in an inpatient or outpatient setting. Often, treatment starts in an inpatient setting and transitions to outpatient as the individual acclimates to the ‘real world’. However, many patients choose outpatient care throughout as it is more accommodating to work and caregiver schedules.
What is a Collaborative Care Model (CoCM)?
A CoCM involves the primary caregiver collaborating with a consulting psychiatrist to ensure the patient receives care that meets their physical and mental health needs. It is often included in integrated care.
What’s Next?
When you’re ready to take the first important step in your recovery, reach out to our intake team for a consultation and more information.
