What Are Co-Occurring Disorders? Examples + Treatment Options

When you hear the term co-occurring disorders, it may not be immediately apparent what it means. Maybe a doctor or counselor mentioned it, or you came across it while reading about addiction or mental health. Either way, the phrase can feel a little confusing. Mental health and substance use often overlap, and it isn’t always […]

The Connection Between Trauma + Addiction: Why You Have to Heal Both

Addiction rarely begins in isolation. For many individuals, it grows out of an attempt to cope with deep emotional wounds. Trauma — whether it comes from childhood abuse, loss, neglect, or violence — can leave scars that feel too heavy to carry.  Substances may seem like a way to numb or escape that pain, but […]

Signs a Loved One is Self-Medicating With Alcohol + How to Help

When someone you love is drinking more than usual, it’s easy to assume the problem is simply the alcohol. For many, however, drinking is less about wanting to party or unwind and more about trying to cope with something painful underneath.  This is what’s known as self-medicating — using alcohol to numb or manage symptoms […]

The Relationship Between Alcoholism and Depression: Understanding Dual Diagnosis

Alcohol use disorder and depression have a complex relationship. These often co-occurring disorders cause complications in traditional mental health and addiction treatment approaches. How are the two conditions related, how do they affect one another, and when is it time to seek alcohol and depression treatment? What is Alcoholism? Alcoholism, or alcohol use disorder, is […]