Co-Occurring Conditions

Addictions and mental health issues often do not occur in a vacuum; in fact, it is quite common for the two to happen simultaneously. The presence of both disorders can complicate the treatment process, as both conditions must be addressed appropriately for treatment to be effective for either one. Serenity Oaks Wellness is equipped to treat co-occurring disorders of all kinds, dealing with all types of addiction at the same time we address the underlying mental health issues that led to substance dependency.

No matter what kind of co-occurring disorder you might be struggling with, Serenity Oaks Wellness can help you work through the underlying issues to discover a life of health and long-term sobriety. Some of the co-occurring disorders we frequently work with include:

Bipolar Disorder

This mood disorder is characterized by extreme shifts between manic and depressive phases. Manic phases feature periods of high energy, sleep issues and agitation. Depressive states may include feelings of intense sadness, low energy and difficulty concentrating. Mood episodes can alternate between the two states or involve one at a time. If the condition is left untreated, sufferers may find they are unable to manage either type of episode on their own sufficiently.

Anxiety Disorders

Anxiety is a common issue everyone faces at one time or another, but for some, feelings of anxiety can begin to affect every aspect of their daily life. When anxiety starts to affect our choices or impact our quality of life overall, an anxiety disorder may be to blame. Common anxiety disorders include phobias, panic disorders, social anxiety or generalized anxiety disorder. Both genetics and environmental factors can play into anxiety disorders, which are frequently complicated through substance abuse.

PTSD

Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a condition that occurs to people that experience a traumatic event like an assault or natural disaster. The symptoms of PTSD, which might include feelings of being on edge, sleep disturbances or avoiding certain people or situations, may occur shortly after the event or much later. People that experience these symptoms often turn to substances like drugs or alcohol to numb the symptoms and make it easier to function. However, the substance use can turn to abuse quickly and become more of a problem than a solution.

Depression

This mood disorder, also referred to as major depressive disorder or clinical depression is characterized by severe symptoms including loss of energy, a persistent feeling of emptiness, and loss of interest in people or activities. The symptoms can become intense enough to affect a person’s ability to function and depletes their quality of life. Substances may be initially used to dull the symptoms, but regular use and abuse can make depressive symptoms worse and impact your daily life.

Codependency

Codependency is a type of dysfunctional relationship where one person relies on the other for all their needs related to self-esteem and emotional wellbeing. For those that are involved in addiction, codependency can perpetuate the process and interfere with a person’s desire to seek treatment for their disorder. Symptoms include poor boundaries, low self-esteem and an unhealthy desire to please people. Treatment for codependency is a vital component of successful addiction treatment.

Body Image Disorders

Body dysmorphic disorder or BDD is a condition in which sufferers obsess about their body image to the detriment of other areas of their life. People with BDD cannot control their thoughts about their body image and will never believe another person’s positive feedback about their appearance. Some even seek out unnecessary surgery to correct their perceived flaws.

Anger Management

Some clients seeking treatment for substance addiction battle uncontrollable anger that affects many of their relationships as well as their daily life. Many of these individuals have dealt with trauma or abuse in their past that affects their ability to manage relationship conflicts and other life events. People in addiction recovery can benefit from learning healthy ways to deal with all of their emotions, including anger.

Grief and Loss

When a person suffers a loss of any kind, through divorce, death or another reason, the effects of that experience can be truly devastating. Some people turn to substances as a way of numbing the pain, but continued use of the drug or alcohol can lead to abuse and dependency. In these situations, dealing with the loss at the same time we treat the addiction can yield the best results.

Getting Help

No matter what your issues might be when you initially seek addiction treatment, it is likely we can help you address all your concerns to produce the best possible recovery outcome. To learn more about our specific treatments for co-occurring disorders, contact Serenity Oaks Wellness today at 855-652-2683.