Many people with drug or alcohol addiction also have mental health disorders. These conditions may include depression, anxiety, or post-traumatic stress disorder. When both conditions are present, a person must receive therapy for both mental health and addiction at the same time. This means treating co-occurring disorders with comprehensive care. That’s something our team at South Tampa Psychiatry can do for you. Can us today at 866.273.5017 to learn more.
How Do You Know You Have Co-Occurring Disorders?
It’s difficult to know if you have co-occurring disorders when you are using drugs or alcohol. Many times, people will use substances to manage or cope with mental health disorders. For example, some people use alcohol as a way to deal with the symptoms of anxiety or trauma. Addiction can easily hide those symptoms and make it possible for you to go through life without dealing with them. Yet, over time, addiction worsens and becomes even more of a negative impact.
With addiction hiding your mental health disorders well, how do you know co-occurring disorders are occurring? Some signs indicate there’s a mental health disorder present, such as:
- Do you use alcohol to deal with anxiety or fear?
- Do you use drugs to cope with the feelings of stress you have?
- Post-traumatic stress disorder often includes flashbacks and instances of reliving a previous trauma. Do you have those symptoms?
- If you don’t use drugs, do you feel depression creeping into your mind?
- If you don’t use drugs, do you feel out of control, overwhelmed with emotion, or unable to focus?
If you are experiencing these feelings, it’s time to see out therapy that can help. Co-occurring disorders can be successful treated with the right combination of therapy.
How Do You Know If You Have an Addiction?
You may know, on the other hand, that you do have a mental health disorder. How do you know you have an addiction and that your social use of drugs or alcohol isn’t acceptable? One key way to understand addiction’s presence is to look at what you’re doing. Do you find yourself engaging in use even when you know it is reckless and even dangerous to do so? Perhaps when you stop using drugs or a limited amount of time, you feel intense pain, cravings, anxiety, or agitation? That’s a sign of dependence, also a factor in addiction.
In either of these situations, it is critical to realize therapy is available, and it can make a big difference in your long-term wellbeing. Seeking help can make sure that both of your needs are carefully treated.
What Can Mental Health Therapy Do for You?
When you reach out to our team at South Tampa Psychiatry, we’ll provide you with the comprehensive support and guidance you need. Our team listens to you, offers a full assessment, and determines your best treatment option. Having access to mental health support like this can help you get back to living a life with mental stability and confidence.
How do you get that type of help for co-occurring disorders? You reach out to our professionals to learn more about the level of care we can offer. Let us provide you with more information on our services, including:
- Drug and alcohol detox centers
- Addiction treatment centers
- Medication-assisted treatment
- Withdrawal symptom expectations
- Expectations during detox
Find the Support You Need at South Tampa Psychiatry
Co-occurring disorders can create complex treatment needs. Our team at South Tampa Psychiatry can meet those needs with exceptional care and a dedicated team of compassionate therapists. Your mental health matters, and therapy can change the course of your future. To learn more about how we can help you, call 866.273.5017 or reach out to us online.
