The cycle of mental health and addiction issues can seem inescapable, but there is effective help available at professional rehab centres. At rehab centres like Sanctuary Lodge, a holistic approach to rehab treatment is provided. This ensures that your mental health is supported during your stay in rehab and that the same therapies and treatment approaches which will help you overcome your addiction will also provide major benefits for your mental health.
What is the connection between mental health and addiction?
Addiction and mental health are often spoken about as separate issues but the reality is that they are very much interconnected. Simultaneous substance abuse and mental health issues are common with both conditions often fuelling each other. Addiction often develops as people with mental health conditions use drugs and alcohol or engage in addictive behaviours as a way of coping.
Eventually, however, substance use and addictive behaviours can lead to addiction which makes the original problems even worse. Many mental health issues such as depression, stress and anxiety are commonly caused by these everyday stresses and as you become addicted, you can find yourself trapped in a vicious cycle.
How addiction can exacerbate mental health disorders
Addiction is a condition that can often isolate sufferers from their friends and families. It is important to understand that addiction wants to keep you in its grip and will do whatever it can to achieve this.
This can include mental manipulation, gaslighting and physical isolation. For example, you may lie about your whereabouts or who you are with in order to hide your activities from loved ones. You may also withdraw from social activities and become increasingly reclusive.
This isolation can exacerbate mental health issues such as anxiety and depression as well as trigger paranoid thoughts and delusions. This allows your addiction to prevent you from seeking help which will drag you further down into a destructive cycle.
Mental health and addiction in the UK
The issue of mental health issues and addiction in the UK is a serious one. Here are some statistics which show both the link between the two conditions and the extent of the situation:
- More than a quarter of adults who have a serious mental health condition also have a problem with substance abuse.
- Approximately 37% of individuals who abuse alcohol also have at least one serious mental illness, and 53% of drug abusers suffer from a mental health condition.
- 43% of young people in rehab between 2020 and 2021 reported a mental health issue, up from 37% between 2019 to 2020 and 32% from 2018 to 2019.
- 58% of girls in addiction treatment suffer from a mental health disorder compared to 38% of boys in treatment.
These statistics show the importance of understanding mental health issues when dealing with addiction and ensuring that people receive continued mental health support before, during and after rehab.
What are some common addiction and mental health conditions?
At Sanctuary Lodge, we provide addiction treatment for people with a range of different dual diagnoses of mental health and addiction issues. Some of the most common include:
All of these conditions can be incredibly dangerous so if you are suffering from any make sure you seek help as soon as possible. Likewise, if you have a loved one in need of help for mental health and addiction disorders, get in touch with Sanctuary Lodge immediately so we can get their treatment started right away.
How can Sanctuary Lodge help with addiction and mental health?
While the primary focus of rehab is on treating addiction, and your mental health condition must be stable to enter rehab, many of the therapies and treatment approaches at Sanctuary Lodge can also be beneficial for mental health conditions.
Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) is commonly used in rehab to help clients identify and change negative thought patterns that contribute to addictive behaviours. But CBT can also be helpful for treating mental health conditions such as depression, anxiety, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) because it can help to change the way you think about and cope with difficult situations.
Other rehab therapies such as group therapy and individual counselling can also be beneficial for both addiction and mental health. In group therapy, you can share your experiences with others who understand what you are going through. This can help to reduce feelings of isolation and loneliness. Individual counselling can provide you with the opportunity to explore your thoughts and feelings in a safe and confidential setting which can help to lessen the symptoms of a number of mental health conditions.
Will I be able to cure my mental disorder whilst in rehab?
Rehab is not a “cure” for either addiction or mental health disorders. It is a process which helps people to overcome their addiction by gaining a better understanding of its causes and learning new ways of coping with the things that trigger it. No rehab centre treats mental health disorders but many people’s symptoms can be vastly improved both as a result of the insights they gain during addiction therapy and because substance abuse no longer aggravates their disorder.
Our team of highly trained staff have extensive experience in helping people with mental health and addiction disorders. They will ensure that you receive any medication you have been prescribed for your mental health while ensuring you always have someone to talk to if you are struggling. All of our therapists have been through recovery themselves and many of them have experienced their own mental health issues during their addiction. They know exactly what you are going through so will be able to offer you the support and understanding you need to recover.
What to do next
If you are struggling with addiction and mental health, you don’t need to suffer alone. At Sanctuary Lodge, we understand how hard it can be but we have helped so many people just like you. Get in touch with us today and we can help you to start a whole new life free from addiction which will also have huge benefits for your mental health.
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