Many people struggling with mood disorders and addiction only recognize one or the other as a problem. A person tends to either feel that their mood disorder is the cause of their troubles, or they feel that addiction has the strongest hold over their life. Few realize without assistance that the two are almost inextricably linked. The majority of people who suffer from a mood disorder also suffer from addiction, and vice versa. This is why Ocean Hills Recovery, as one of the leading dual diagnosis treatment centers in California, makes every effort to treat both conditions simultaneously.

What is the link between mood disorders and addiction?

Patients who have a mood disorder are twice as likely compared to the general population to also struggle with substance abuse disorder. Likewise, patients with substance abuse disorder are also twice as likely to suffer from a mood disorder.^[1]

What are the most commonly experienced mood disorders that occur alongside substance addiction?

Bipolar disorder tops the list. According to the American Journal of Psychiatry, “The lifetime prevalence rate of any bipolar disorder and any substance use disorder is 47.3%, and for bipolar I disorder and any substance use disorder, 60.3%.”^[2]
Depression is also heavily comorbid with substance abuse disorder. Depression has “lifetime rates of 40.3% for any alcohol use disorder and 17.2% for any drug use disorder. For major depression and alcohol dependence, the lifetime rate is 21%.”^[2] New research published in Frontiers in Psychiatry explores the link between the anhedonia, or lack of pleasure, interest, and excitement, experienced by people with depression and the rates of comorbid substance use disorders.^[3]

Mood disorders are not the only psychiatric conditions associated with an increased risk of substance abuse.

PTSD patients are three times more likely than the general population to abuse substances.^[4]
Mental health diagnoses in general, regardless of whether they are classified as mood disorders, anxiety disorders, or something else, share a huge overlap with substance use (not necessarily substance abuse disorder) in general.^[5]

Because of the sometimes-fuzzy nature of the line that distinguishes a traditional mood disorder^[6] from other mental health conditions, it is easy to mistake one condition for another. This is especially the case when co-occurring addiction further complicates matters with additional symptoms. Be sure to choose a treatment facility that specializes in dual diagnosis so you receive the most accurate information and treatment plan for your conditions.

Where can you turn if you’re looking for dual diagnosis treatment centers in California?

Ocean Hills Recovery provides many resources to help you learn about dual diagnosis and what it means for your individual treatment needs.

Whether you suffer from addiction and Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD), Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), or a classic mood disorder such as depression or bipolar disorder, OHR wants to help you through it. Our dual diagnosis treatment center prioritizes both your mood disorder and your substance addiction as two sides of the same coin, rather than trying to separate the two and address one over the other.

We help you heal holistically as you attend one of our various treatment program levels. You will receive counseling from dual diagnosis professionals in addition to medically supervised detox as you relax and return to health in our beautiful facility by the ocean in Dana Point.

To get started on your journey to wellness today, call Ocean Hills Recovery or send us a message on our contact page. Every patient has different needs that come with their varying dual diagnoses. Because of this, we offer custom treatment plans. Be sure to ask about all of the options available. You can put your addiction and mood disorder behind you in a way that fits realistically with your lifestyle.

Sources:

[1] https://www.drugabuse.gov/sites/default/files/rrcomorbidity.pdf

[2] https://ajp.psychiatryonline.org/doi/full/10.1176/appi.ajp.2012.12010112

[3] https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpsyt.2019.00311/full

[4] https://americanaddictioncenters.org/co-occurring-disorders/ptsd-addiction

[5] https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/mood-disorders/symptoms-causes/syc-20365057

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Frequently Asked Questions

How long does drug and alcohol rehab last?

The length of your stay at drug and alcohol rehab will vary for each person attending rehab and from treatment center to treatment center. Most inpatient programs are at least 30 days long; however, some programs may incorporate a shorter inpatient stay with a more extended outpatient stay. The best rehab centers will provide a more custom treatment plan for each person that takes into account the individual’s needs before determining the length of treatment. Ocean Hills Recovery offers a variety of options for addiction treatment. A typical stay at our inpatient drug and alcohol rehab programs last between 30 to 45 days.

Do I need inpatient or outpatient treatment?

Outpatient is an excellent option for people who are unable to take time away from work or their families while receiving addiction treatment. Inpatient treatment is an excellent option for people who can be away from their work or families for at least several weeks for treatment. We recommend that you contact a reliable treatment center, like Ocean Hills Recovery, for a complete assessment before you decide whether inpatient or outpatient treatment for addiction is best for you.

Should I get addiction treatment locally or away?

The answer to whether you should go away or stay local for addiction treatment is very individual. Many people need to get away from their everyday life for them to fully submerge themselves in their addiction recovery process. For these individuals, going to an out of state treatment center is the best option to be able to commit fully and concentrate on their recovery. For others, this is not an option because of work or family obligations.

What do I do if I don’t have insurance for drug rehab?

There are options for drug rehab, even if you don’t have insurance. When you decide to get help, the best thing to do is to find a treatment philosophy that you believe may help and contact them for assistance. Rehab professionals can help you determine if you have insurance coverage for addiction treatment, and what options are best for you. Many drug rehabs accept insurance but also have private pay, or financing options available. Contact our rehab admissions specialist today, and we can help you navigate insurance questions, payment options, and treatment plans.

How to find a drug and alcohol rehabilitation center?

The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration website is a great place to start when you are looking for a drug and alcohol rehabilitation center. We recommend that you make a list of a few different centers to contact and speak with them to get a feel for their programs, therapies, and staff and find the center that you feel most comfortable with. Have a list of questions that you can ask each center to help you through the process. One of the most important questions to ask is if the rehab holds accreditation by CARF. Having a state license is no longer enough to ensure that a rehab center is reputable. If the rehab holds CARF accreditation, they have had to meet a more strict set of guidelines and procedures.

Do I need detox before addiction treatment?

Many people require detox to help manage withdrawal from alcohol and other drugs. There are several factors that we take into consideration to determine if you will need detox before addiction treatment. Our admissions professionals work with each person to obtain a thorough history of substance use and other medical conditions to help make the appropriate recommendations for care. You must give accurate information so that we can keep you as comfortable as possible if you are experiencing withdrawal symptoms. However, detox is only the first step in addiction recovery. For long-lasting addiction recovery, a person must deal with the underlying issues that lead to substance use in the first place. Contact us today for a confidential assessment.

The Prevalence of Mood Disorders and Addiction