People who live with both a mental illness and a substance use disorder are 

often described as having co-occurring disorders or a dual diagnosis.

 
This combination is common and treatable, but it can make recovery more 

 

challenging if both conditions are not addressed together.

Some examples include:

Bipolar I disorder and Alcohol use disorder
Major depressive disorder and Opioid use disorder
Schizophrenia and Methamphetamine use disorder
Generalized anxiety disorder and Cannabis use disorder
Why they often occur together

There isn't one single cause, but several factors can contribute:

Some people use alcohol or drugs to try to relieve symptoms such as anxiety, depression, 

 

insomnia, or emotional distress ("self-medication"), although substance use often worsens symptoms over time.

Mental illness and addiction can share genetic, biological, and environmental risk factors.

Substance use can trigger, worsen, or prolong mental health symptoms in some people.

Living with either condition can increase stress, making the other condition harder to manage.

What treatment works best?

Research consistently shows that integrated treatment—where mental health and addiction

 
are treated at the same time by the same team or in a coordinated program—is generally 

more effective than treating each condition separately.

Integrated treatment often includes:

Appropriate psychiatric medication when indicated.

Individual therapy, such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy or Motivational Interviewing.
Medications for substance use disorders when appropriate (for example, Buprenorphine for 
opioid use disorder or Naltrexone in appropriate cases).

Peer support groups and recovery programs.

Family education and support.
Attention to housing, employment, and social support.
A note about bipolar disorder and addiction

It's worth noting that people with Bipolar I disorder have a higher-than-average risk of 

developing a substance use disorder. When both conditions are present, treating the 

bipolar disorder consistently—along with addressing the addiction—is associated with 

better mood stability and a lower risk of relapse.