2d. Mental Health and Addiction

According to the National Institute of Mental Health, about half of the people who experience SUD will also experience a co-occuring mental disorder. Depression and anxiety are two of the most common.

Substance use can contribute to developing other mental disorders because they may trigger changes in brain structure and function. Those changes make mental disorders more likely.

Common Co-Occuring Mental Health Disorders

SUD and other mental health disorders have common risk factors. Common co-occuring mental health disorders include:

Stress

Trauma

Adverse Childhood Experiences

Genetic Factors

Adverse Childhood Experiences

Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) are traumatic experience in a person’s life occurring before the age of 18 that the person recalls as an adult.

Tap the cards to learn more about 9 common ACEs.

Hover over the cards to learn more about 9 common ACEs.

Emotional Abuse

Being sworn at, insulted, put down or humiliated

Sexual Abuse

Being in touched or fondled in a sexual manner

Alcoholism or Drug Use

Growing up with an alcoholic member of the household or in a household where illegal street or prescription drugs were used

Mental Illness

Growing up with a mentally ill member of the household

Domestic Violence

Witnessing violence towards a member of the household

Physical Abuse

Being hit, pushed, or slapped

Incarceration

Having a member of the household in prison

Divorce / Separation

Divorce or separation of parents before the age of 18

Neglect

Failure of a responsible party to provide basic needs: food, shelter, medical care, safety, etc.

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