Substance Use and Mental Health Conditions

British Columbia Specific Information

Individual, family, and small group counselling is available to people of all ages who are directly or indirectly affected by alcohol and other drug use by calling the 24-hour BC Alcohol and Drug Information and Referral Service in the Lower Mainland at 604-660-9382 or toll-free anywhere in BC at 1-800-663-1441. You may also search the HealthLinkBC Directory or contact your local health authority for mental health and substance use support in your area.

For more information about substance use, visit HereToHelp and the Centre for Addictions Research of BC.

Overview

Some people who have substance use disorder also have a mental health condition. Doctors call this a dual diagnosis. You need to treat both conditions to fully recover.

Mental health conditions that may occur with substance use disorder include:

Depression.
Bipolar disorder.
Obsessive-compulsive disorder.
Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
Schizophrenia.

Either condition may come first. Substance use disorder may lead to symptoms such as depression or anxiety. Or people with mental health conditions may use substances to:

Feel normal and accepted. You may use substances to help you feel like you don't have a mental health condition.
Self-medicate. You may use substances to try to reduce anxiety, depression, or sleep problems.

It's best to treat the mental health condition and substance use disorder at the same time. Treating both conditions gives you a better chance of a full recovery and less chance of returning to substance use.