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Mental health and addiction

Depression, anxiety, ADHD, PTSD, and addiction often travel together. Treating them together works better.

1 min read

Co-occurring conditions are common

Many people with a substance use disorder also have another mental health condition, and the reverse is also true. NIMH and NIDA describe these as co-occurring disorders.12 Common examples include depression, anxiety disorders, PTSD, ADHD, bipolar disorder, and psychosis.

Why they occur together

  • Shared risk factors — genetics, trauma, and stress raise the risk of both.
  • Self-medication — people may use substances to manage symptoms, which can make symptoms worse over time.
  • Effects of use — heavy use and withdrawal can cause or intensify anxiety, depression, and psychosis.

Treat both, together

SAMHSA recommends integrated treatment that addresses mental health and substance use at the same time, rather than requiring one to be "fixed" first.3 When looking for care, ask whether a program assesses and treats co-occurring conditions.

Research references

  1. Substance Use and Co-Occurring Mental Disorders (opens another website)National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH), NIHLink checked October 17, 2026
  2. Co-Occurring Disorders and Health Conditions (opens another website)National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA), NIHLink checked October 17, 2026
  3. Co-Occurring Disorders (opens another website)Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA)Link checked October 17, 2026

Editorial draft — awaiting qualified clinical review

This page was researched and written by the GAREP editorial process with AI assistance and checked against the sources listed. It has not yet been reviewed by a licensed clinician. Use it to understand and prepare, not to make medical decisions on your own.

GAREP Editorial (AI-assisted draft)

Written to be useful in any country. Services and medication availability differ by country.

Published
October 17, 2026
Updated
October 17, 2026