When Substance Use Disorder and Mental Health Collide

The mothers who come to Parisi House are aware of their Substance Use Disorder. Their addiction is the reason they are seeking our services in the first place. However, some moms with co-occurring mental health issues may be unaware of a second underlying issue. One of the challenges of treating mental health disorders is that the symptoms are often hard to articulate and can easily be attributed to other causes. Some of the common co-occurring mental health diagnoses can include depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder, or personality disorders. Without some awareness of how these issues might manifest, our moms may not realize they are even suffering from an underlying mental health issue. In some cases, the substance use disorder can cause changes in brain chemistry that can result in a mental health diagnosis. Family history can also play a role.

When a mother at Parisi House has been diagnosed with a mental health disorder, our staff acts quickly to link them to additional resources. This support will set them up better for long-term success in their recovery journey. Parisi House counselors assist our mothers in signing up for health insurance programs and social security disability if eligible. They will make the necessary referrals to help them get into therapy and psychology treatment services. We also provide them with transportation to and from their appointments. We work collaboratively with other behavioral health organizations that provide services to support our moms.

During their time at Parisi House, our moms learn a lot of healthy tools for coping with the challenges of early sobriety. These tools can be especially helpful for our moms who have both diagnoses. While we do not offer therapy here, we do teach our moms coping skills like how to use mindfulness techniques when dealing with stressful emotions and how to overcome triggers. Parisi House Counselors also utilize Cognitive Behavioral Therapy techniques and Motivational Interviewing during counseling sessions and reinforce the practices our moms learn in their therapy sessions. All these tools and resources are also beneficial in managing the stresses of mental health symptoms.

More and more, people are being diagnosed with both Substance Use Disorder and mental health disorders. Having the resources available to address both issues is critically important to the success of our moms’ recovery journey. At Parisi House, the tools and resources they discover to navigate early sobriety challenges will also help them cope with any mental health challenges they may experience. Learning to manage both successfully can be the key to unlocking a lifetime of health and happiness in sobriety for them and their children.

When Substance Use Disorder and Mental Health Collide

Breaking free from addiction and repairing all the damage it may have caused is one of the most challenging experiences a person can face. Imagine how much more difficult it can be when you also suffer from a mental health disorder. Being diagnosed with both a Substance Use Disorder and a mental health diagnosis can make the recovery journey even more difficult. At Parisi House, roughly 50% of our moms come to us with both. According to the National Institute of Mental Health, this statistic aligns with national averages. Upon entering our program, mothers who come to Parisi House for drug and alcohol treatment also receive a mental health evaluation. If they are diagnosed with a mental health disorder, we make sure they receive the additional support and services they need to recover from both successfully.

The mothers who come to Parisi House are aware of their Substance Use Disorder. Their addiction is the reason they are seeking our services in the first place. However, some moms with co-occurring mental health issues may be unaware of a second underlying issue. One of the challenges of treating mental health disorders is that the symptoms are often hard to articulate and can easily be attributed to other causes. Some of the common co-occurring mental health diagnoses can include depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder, or personality disorders. Without some awareness of how these issues might manifest, our moms may not realize they are even suffering from an underlying mental health issue. In some cases, the substance use disorder can cause changes in brain chemistry that can result in a mental health diagnosis. Family history can also play a role.

When a mother at Parisi House has been diagnosed with a mental health disorder, our staff acts quickly to link them to additional resources. This support will set them up better for long-term success in their recovery journey. Parisi House counselors assist our mothers in signing up for health insurance programs and social security disability if eligible. They will make the necessary referrals to help them get into therapy and psychology treatment services. We also provide them with transportation to and from their appointments. We work collaboratively with other behavioral health organizations that provide services to support our moms.

During their time at Parisi House, our moms learn a lot of healthy tools for coping with the challenges of early sobriety. These tools can be especially helpful for our moms who have both diagnoses. While we do not offer therapy here, we do teach our moms coping skills like how to use mindfulness techniques when dealing with stressful emotions and how to overcome triggers. Parisi House Counselors also utilize Cognitive Behavioral Therapy techniques and Motivational Interviewing during counseling sessions and reinforce the practices our moms learn in their therapy sessions. All these tools and resources are also beneficial in managing the stresses of mental health symptoms.

More and more, people are being diagnosed with both Substance Use Disorder and mental health disorders. Having the resources available to address both issues is critically important to the success of our moms’ recovery journey. At Parisi House, the tools and resources they discover to navigate early sobriety challenges will also help them cope with any mental health challenges they may experience. Learning to manage both successfully can be the key to unlocking a lifetime of health and happiness in sobriety for them and their children.