Co-Occurring Disorders
This term describes having both a mental health disorder and a substance use disorder at the same time.
What are co-occurring disorders (or dual diagnosis)?
Using substances to “self-medicate” emotions or symptoms is called this.
What is coping through substance use?
Treating both the mental health and substance use disorder at the same time is called this.
What is integrated treatment?
Feeling calmer and more emotionally steady is called this type of improvement.
What is emotional stability?
Recovery is not perfection — it is this, one step at a time.
What is a process?
Depression combined with this substance use disorder is a common COD example.
What is alcohol use disorder?
Drinking to calm anxiety is an example of this maladaptive coping pattern.
What is self-medication?
A therapy that teaches “thoughts, feelings, behaviors” is often part of COD treatment.
What is CBT?
A drop in urges to use substances is a sign that these are decreasing.
What are cravings?
Both MH and SUD recovery require time, patience, and this.
What is consistency?
PTSD often co-occurs with this type of substance, known for high overdose risk.
What are opioids?
Substance use may temporarily relieve symptoms but worsens them later, creating this harmful pattern.
What is the cycle of dependence?
When only one disorder is treated, this is more likely to happen to the untreated one.
What is it can trigger relapse or worsen symptoms?
Communicating needs clearly and coping more effectively shows growth in these.
What are coping and communication skills?
The idea that you are more than your symptoms or diagnosis highlights this belief about identity.
What is you are not your diagnosis?
CODs are challenging because these two types of disorders tend to do this to each other’s symptoms.
What is interact and intensify them?
Substance use can worsen mood swings, anxiety, sleep, and thinking — all tied to this organ’s functioning.
What is brain chemistry?
This type of medication support helps manage cravings or mood symptoms.
What is medication management?
Showing up to sessions, practicing skills, and trying new strategies reflects this treatment-related behavior.
What is engagement in treatment?
Recognizing personal strengths and values helps build this inner sense.
What is self-worth or self-identity?
Bipolar disorder frequently co-occurs with this commonly used but mood-impacting substance.
What is cannabis?
Both disorders affect brain areas linked to reward, stress, and this cognitive ability involved in choices.
What is decision-making?
Trauma-informed treatment is important because many people with COD have histories of this.
What is trauma?
Feeling more motivated, future-focused, and optimistic reflects an increase in this.
What is hope and purpose?
Progress in COD recovery is built through skills like emotion regulation, stress management, and this prevention strategy.
What is relapse prevention?