The rise in substance use disorders has major health and safety concerns in the United States, with costs running into the billions of dollars annually for health care, related injuries and loss of life, property destruction, loss of productivity and more.
Treatment has proven to be effective, but very few who need it have access to and receive care. Private and public funding for treatment remains meager. Families are devastated and children are at an increased risk for developing substance use and mental health conditions.
For people struggling with co-occurring mental health and substance use disorders, physical safety and overall health risks are greater; the impairment of life skills is greater; and the chances for successful treatment are much less - all of which contribute to stigma.
This page of the Mental Health America website is designed to assist mental health advocates in increasing their understanding of key issues in the area of substance abuse and co-occurring disorders. We are committed to providing accurate and timely materials and information about alcohol and other drug misuse to the advocates, consumer supporters and consumers in the mental health field.
Substance use disorders and co-occurring mental health conditions
Co-occurring disorders and depression
Co-occurring disorders and youth
Co-occurring: Mental health and chronic illness
Additional reading
Growing up in recovery: 3 peer support programs that fill gaps for young people
How to navigate alcohol addiction recovery over the holidays
If you're working on reducing your substance use but still find yourself struggling, you might be showing the early warning signs of a mental health or substance use condition.
Visit mhascreening.org to take an anonymous, free, and private mental health test. It only takes a few minutes, and after you are finished you will be given information about next steps you can take based on the results.
If you or someone you know is struggling or in crisis, help is available. Call or text 988 or chat 988lifeline.org. You can also reach Crisis Text Line by texting HELLO to 741741.