What was first: The addiction or mental illness?

A lot of people have both drug problems and mental health issues. Compared to the general population, people addicted to drugs are about twice as likely to suffer from mental health disorders, and vice versa.

Even though problems with drugs and mental health often happen together, it’s hard to be sure which one first affects a person. Research suggests that either one could lead to the other.

Mental disorders leading to drug problems might happen when a person with anxiety or depression turn to drugs to try and get relief. But this temporary “relief” usually creates other problems. Drug use leading to mental health issues may be observed when some people who use drugs have an increased risk for developing psychosis. Also, using drugs can lead to depression and anxiety when the drug’s effects wear off. Some people become depressed when they realize they’re addicted and struggle to stop using.

The good news is that treating either problem reduces the chances that the other one will develop. When there is a Dual Diagnosis of both a mental health disorder and a substance abuse issue, it is important that the patient enroll in a treatment program that addresses both problems at the same time. Why? The untreated symptoms of a mental health disorder can cause the patient to be unable to remain clean and sober, and untreated substance abuse issues can make mental health treatment ineffective.