When Mental Health and Substance Use Intersect
Restore Hope. Reduce Stigma. Remember.
Overdose Awareness Week, August 25–31, is an opportunity to remember lives lost to overdose, reduce stigma and talk openly about substance use, mental health and the importance of getting the right help at the right time.
It is also an important opportunity to understand co-occurring mental health and substance use disorders.
For many people, these challenges do not exist separately. In 2024, 21.2 million U.S. adults experienced both a mental illness and a substance use disorder, according to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA).
What Does Co-Occurring Mean?
Co-occurring disorders means someone is experiencing both a mental health condition and a substance use disorder—and the connection between the two can be complicated.
Someone may use alcohol to quiet overwhelming anxiety. A person experiencing depression may turn to substances to numb what they are feeling. Someone living with trauma may find temporary relief through drugs or alcohol. In other cases, substance use can worsen symptoms of an existing mental health condition.
It isn’t always clear which came first.
Sometimes what looks like “just” substance use has a mental health story behind it. And sometimes a mental health crisis is complicated by substance use.
The Connection Is More Common Than Many People Realize
National data helps illustrate just how closely mental health and substance use can be connected.
In 2024:
- 21.2 million adults experienced both a mental illness and a substance use disorder.
- About 1 in 3 adults with a mental illness also had a substance use disorder.
- Among adults with a serious mental illness, nearly half (47.3%) also had a substance use disorder.
These numbers are an important reminder that mental health and substance use should not always be viewed as separate issues.
Recognizing the possibility of co-occurring disorders can give families, friends and healthcare professionals a fuller picture of what someone may be experiencing—and help guide them toward appropriate care.
That is why understanding the whole person matters.
Treating the Whole Person at TaraVista
TaraVista provides inpatient psychiatric treatment for children, adolescents and adults experiencing acute mental health needs, including individuals whose psychiatric conditions may occur alongside substance use.
Our primary focus is stabilizing and treating the acute psychiatric condition. At the same time, substance use is an important part of understanding the whole person and developing an effective treatment and discharge plan.
When appropriate, care may include:
- Assessment of mental health symptoms and substance use
- Individualized psychiatric treatment and medication management
- Therapeutic programming, including substance use-focused groups when appropriate
- Education and support to help patients better understand the relationship between mental health and substance use
- Discharge planning that connects patients with appropriate outpatient mental health, substance use and recovery resources for continued care
The goal is not simply to address the immediate crisis, but to better understand what may be contributing to it and help create a safer path forward.
Knowing the Right Level of Care Matters
For someone whose primary need is substance use treatment, a specialized substance use treatment program may be the appropriate next step. When the immediate concern is an acute psychiatric condition, TaraVista can help determine whether inpatient psychiatric care is appropriate.
Not sure what the right next step is? Our Admissions Team is here to help. Each month, our experienced team responds to hundreds of admission and treatment inquiries from healthcare professionals, individuals and families. Whether you are seeking help for a patient, yourself or someone you care about, we can talk through the situation, help determine the appropriate level of care and guide you toward the next step.
When inpatient psychiatric treatment is appropriate, our team can also help navigate the admissions process and answer questions about what to expect.
Restore Hope. Reduce Stigma. Remember.
Understanding co-occurring mental health and substance use disorders helps us see beyond a diagnosis or behavior to the person experiencing it.
During Overdose Awareness Week, we remember those we have lost. We reduce the stigma that can keep people from seeking help. And we restore hope by reminding people that treatment is available, recovery is possible and knowing where to turn can make a difference.
Concerned about a child, adolescent or adult experiencing a mental health crisis? TaraVista’s Admissions Team is available 24/7 to help determine the appropriate next step. Call 24/7 at 978-615-5252.
Source: Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), 2024 National Survey on Drug Use and Health.
