Addiction impacts individuals, families, and communities across America, including Kentucky. If you are struggling with addiction or notice signs in a loved one, seek professional help. It is the best path to healing and recovery. However, seeking help can often lead to questions. Does substance abuse fall under mental health? Is addiction a disease like diabetes or cancer, or a mental health condition like anxiety and depression?
The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 5th Edition (DSM-5) classifies substance use disorders (SUDs) as mental health conditions, and Sterling Crossroads recognizes this clinical definition. It is not uncommon for SUDs and mental health conditions to occur simultaneously—this is known as co-occurring disorders.
Sterling Crossroads provides addiction therapy near Lexington, KY, for co-occurring disorders that treats the SUD and the mental health condition at the same time in a comprehensive way. To learn more about our programs and services, contact us at 888.991.1476.
Does substance abuse fall under mental health?
Yes, professionals clinically recognize substance use disorders as mental health conditions. However, a thorough evaluation and assessment must confirm the diagnosis.
Professionals diagnose a substance use disorder using the criteria outlined in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition (DSM-5). According to the DSM-5, professionals base the diagnosis on specific symptoms that show problematic patterns of substance use, causing significant distress or impairment. These symptoms fall into categories such as:
- Control over substance use
- Social impairment
- Risky behavior
- Physiological effects like tolerance and withdrawal
A professional evaluates whether the individual meets at least two of the 11 specified criteria within a 12-month period. The severity of the disorder—mild, moderate, or severe—is determined by the number of criteria met, ensuring a thorough and standardized assessment.
Understanding the link between substance use and mental health
There is an old question about which came first, the chicken or the egg? In the case of co-occurring disorders, the same concept is true. For some individuals, substance use leads to depression, anxiety, or other mental health outcomes. Others may experience depression or anxiety and use substances like drugs or alcohol as a form of self-medication for their symptoms. This creates a cycle—a feedback loop—where the substance use reinforces the mental health condition, or vice versa.
This requires specialized treatment for co-occurring disorders. Sterling Crossroads offers residents of Mount Sterling and surrounding communities this outpatient treatment option.
Why is it essential to classify substance use as a mental health condition?
There are several reasons why it is necessary to understand that addiction is a clinical issue, not just a question of willpower. Some of these include:
- Reducing stigma: Recognizing substance use disorders as mental health conditions helps combat the stigma often associated with addiction. This classification helps shift the perception of SUDs from being a moral failing or lack of willpower to a legitimate medical condition requiring care and compassion.
- Ensuring proper diagnosis: Classifying SUDs as mental health conditions ensures that individuals receive a proper diagnosis. This allows healthcare providers to identify underlying causes, such as co-occurring disorders, and address these root issues as part of a comprehensive treatment plan.
- Insurance verification and coverage: Many insurance providers require a clinical diagnosis for coverage. By classifying SUDs as mental health conditions, individuals are more likely to have access to insurance benefits, including coverage for evidence-based treatment and therapy.
- Tailored treatment approach: When SUDs are viewed as mental health conditions, treatment can be approached with proven clinical methods. This fosters a more holistic approach that combines medical, psychological, and behavioral strategies, offering individuals a better chance at long-term recovery.
Treating addiction and associated mental health conditions requires structured, evidence-based approaches that are most effective after a proper diagnosis. Sterling Crossroads provides Kentucky residents with compassionate care for substance use disorders and can address any co-occurring mental health concerns.
Contact Sterling Crossroads today for dual diagnosis treatment
If you or a loved one in the Lexington, Kentucky area is struggling with substance use disorders or co-occurring mental health conditions, don’t wait to seek help. Sterling Crossroads is here to provide caring, evidence-based treatment designed to support long-term recovery.
We address both addiction and mental health challenges with our dual diagnosis approach, helping you heal and achieve sobriety. Recovery is possible—take the first step toward a brighter future by calling 888.991.1476 or contacting Sterling Crossroads online.