Five of the Most Common Co-occurring Conditions

Depression and Alcohol Abuse Dependency

Mood disorders, especially depression and bipolar disorder, are the most common co-occurring conditions with substance abuse issues. For example, at least 30-40% of people struggling with a depressive disorder will also battle an alcohol abuse dependency. The quintessential symptom of depression is an unrelenting inner critic that is often all-consuming. This ‘disturbance of self-regard’ is exhausting, and it inevitably provokes feelings of sadness and despair. 

People can then turn to alcohol for its sedative effect and for the fact it increases – albeit momentarily – feel-good neurochemicals like dopamine. That ‘break’ from the symptoms of depression can be highly alluring. However, alcohol is a depressant. This means that it will only worsen your depressive symptoms in the long term. Worse still, it can weaken your brain’s capacity for emotional regulation. 

It is common for people to suffer from undiagnosed depression, abuse alcohol to feel stable, and become trapped in the addictive cycle. At that point, they can only feel ‘normal’ when they are drinking because their symptoms return tenfold once they sober up.

That also means that while depression can increase your chances of developing an addiction, addiction can also increase your chances of developing depression. Hence, it can be a chicken or egg question. If you are in treatment for alcohol abuse dependency and experience depressive symptoms, it is essential to focus on dual diagnoses.

Major Depressive Disorder and Eating Disorders

Major depressive disorder is a common root cause of eating disorders. For example, research shows that 32- 39% of people with anorexia nervosa, 36 – 50% of people with bulimia nervosa and 33% of people with binge eating disorder also struggle with major depressive disorder. 

Similarly to other addictive substances and behaviours, an eating disorder often becomes a means of trying to manage the sadness and hopelessness that characterises depression. For example, if someone is battling undiagnosed depression, they often feel exhausted and as though they are losing control. An eating disorder becomes a way of trying to regain control over their own body and mind. Eating disorders are also highly time-consuming and can quickly become obsessive. This can also be addictive, as it gives the individual something to focus on outside of their depressive symptoms. 

Unfortunately, when major depressive disorder co-occurring with anorexia nervosa, it drastically increases their risk of suicide and decreases their chances of long-term recovery. Depression is often the root cause of the eating disorder, so it is vital to address the symptoms of depression before you even begin to tackle the eating disorder. 

Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder and Cocaine Abuse

Studies show a potent link between ADHD and substance abuse, particularly cocaine dependency. One reason for this is that when someone struggles with ADHD, their brain does not produce enough dop

amine. As a result, they struggle with motivation, attention, and concentration. However, stimulant drugs increase dopamine levels in the brain and can thereby reduce the symptoms of ADHD. Hence, the most common prescription medications for ADHD have a stimulant quality to them, like Ritalin or Adderall. 

However, if someone has ADHD and it is either undiagnosed or struggling to keep it at bay, illegal and dangerous stimulants – such as cocaine or speed – can also seem like it is helping with the symptoms. For example, suppose someone is living with undiagnosed ADHD. In that case, when they consume cocaine, they might begin to feel ‘normal.’ Unaware that they have a mental health condition and are beginning the dangerous process of self-medicating, they perceive their ADHD symptoms to be flaws and the cocaine is actually helping them manage these issues. 

But of course, cocaine is a highly dangerous and extremely addictive substance. Over time, the individual will develop a tolerance and need to take more and more of it to acquire that feeling of normality. As a result, cocaine will begin to wreak havoc on your body and mind. Addictions also weaken our brain’s capacity to regulate our emotions, which will only worsen the ADHD symptoms in the long term. 

Hence, it is vital to ensure that your treatment provider caters to dual diagnoses. If ADHD is the root cause of your cocaine addiction, your chance of long-term recovery skyrockets once it is properly addressed.