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How Substance Use Impacts Mental Health – and Why Integrated Care Matters

When substance use and mental health concerns overlap, it can be challenging to understand what’s happening and why. It can also be hard to decide which issue to address first, especially when you’re trying to help someone you love. In this post, we’ll explore how substance use impacts mental health and the reasons why integrated care is an important component of recovery.

The Relationship Between Mental Health and Substance Abuse

Substance use and mental health challenges working together create a cycle that can be hard to break. Many people turn to alcohol or drugs to manage symptoms of anxiety, depression, trauma, or stress. However, as the effects of these substances wear off, the original symptoms return with greater intensity. This back-and-forth relationship is the reason why integrated care matters when treating substance use and mental health disorders.

How Substance Use Impacts Mental Health

Addictive substances affect the brain in different ways, but many follow a similar pattern: short-term relief, followed by a rebound that makes symptoms worse. Here are some examples of how addiction can worsen mental health symptoms:

  • Alcohol is a chemical depressant that slows the brain and nervous system. It may feel relaxing at first, but continued use disrupts sleep and leaves people feeling depressed, tired, or irritable the next day.
  • Stimulants can create a short-lived sense of energy, focus, or confidence, which may be tempting for individuals struggling with anxiety, depression, or ADHD. But as they wear off, they can increase feelings of restlessness, paranoia, and panic.
  • Opioids can numb emotional pain and tension, bringing relief to those dealing with trauma, PTSD, or other mental health concerns. However, withdrawal from these substances can cause anxiety, body aches, and sleep disturbances that increase the urge to use again.

What is Integrated Care for Mental Health and Addiction? Why Does It Matter?

Integrated care is a treatment approach that addresses substance use and mental health together in one coordinated plan. Instead of focusing on only one issue, the care team considers the full picture, including symptoms, triggers, and patterns of use. This approach is especially helpful in early recovery, when triggers, sleep disruption, and stress can increase the risk of returning to alcohol or drugs.

How Integrated Care Supports Patients with Co-Occurring Disorders

With co-occurring disorders, a sleepless night, a spike in anxiety, or a hard day at work can make mental health symptoms and substance cravings feel stronger. Any progress in treating affected individuals is not isolated to appointments, but also about how you respond when faced with difficult situations outside of therapy. Integrated care prepares you for those moments by giving you support and practical strategies for navigating triggers, managing cravings, and coping with symptoms, all within one coordinated treatment plan.

Here is what integrated care looks like at MERIT, starting from your very first visit: 

  • Mental health and substance use intake: We begin with a confidential assessment that helps us understand your mental health symptoms, substance use patterns, current stressors, and future goals.
  • Personalized treatment plans: We use what we learn during your intake to build a treatment plan that addresses your mental health and substance use. We will adjust the plan as your symptoms, cravings, or life circumstances change.
  • Substance abuse and/or alcohol abuse treatment: We provide individual and group counseling to help you understand your substance use patterns, manage cravings, and develop strategies that can support your recovery.
  • Mental health therapy: Our licensed counselors will help you work through challenges like anxiety, depression, trauma, grief, anger, and relationship difficulties. They will also teach you effective coping skills and healthier ways to respond to triggers.

Is Substance Use Impacting Your Mental Health? Reach Out to MERIT for an Integrated Care Consultation 

If you or someone you love is struggling with substance use and mental health symptoms, MERIT is here to help. We are a CARF-accredited behavioral health and addiction treatment center offering bilingual services, telehealth appointments, and in-person care at seven convenient locations in Central Washington.

Still wondering why integrated care matters? Want to learn more about the impact substance abuse has on mental health? Contact MERIT at 877-789-3344 to schedule a consultation with our care team. MERIT offers evidence-based addiction recovery services in English and Spanish across Ellensburg, Kennewick, Pasco, Sunnyside, Toppenish, Wapato, and Yakima.