Co-Existing Conditions Associated with Drug and Alcohol Abuse AToN Center

Common Co-Existing Conditions Often Associated with Drug and Alcohol Abuse

Last updated 7 months ago

Treating mental disorders and substance abuse becomes more difficult when patients display symptoms of both conditions. Diagnosis becomes even harder when one set of symptoms masks the others. This article will cover the most common conditions to co-occur with substance abuse.

Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD): The trauma of military service follows many servicemen as they return home to their families. Without awareness of their symptoms or the tools available to treat them, many turn to drug use as a coping mechanism. The condition is characterized by a heightened sense of urgency, hypersensitivity, and uncontrollable memories of disturbing events. Often, symptoms of co-curring PTSD and substance abuse are misinterpreted as difficulty adjusting to normal life.
Depression and Mania: Those suffering the effects of depression find themselves uninterested in their favorite activities. Patients with depression may use opioids or stimulants to mask these negative feelings.
Symptoms of mania include feelings of hyperactivity, loss of sleep, and dangerously impulsive behavior. The intense emotional effects of mania make it more difficult for patients to control feelings of anger, rage, and frustration. Mania patients who abuse commonly resort to depressants like alcohol, benzodiazepines, and barbiturates to control their symptoms.
Anxiety: Though anxiety is a universal feeling, high anxiety may impede on one’s ability to live a normal life. Extreme tension and apprehension can render a patient frozen in indecisiveness. The restlessness caused by heightened nerves and short breath can cause irritability in patients. High anxiety also makes it difficult for many patients to concentrate. Drugs like marijuana are well known for their ability to instill a sense of apathy—for those that suffer from anxiety, these side effects may seem like an attractive alternative.

Addiction recovery becomes difficult when patients suffer from a chaotic, emotionally unstable mental condition. AToN Center uses a holistic approach to treat both addiction and the mental disorder underlying it. Call (858) 227-4613 to learn more about helping your loved one reach a drug-free, calm state of mind.