Substance Use Disorder and Mental Health Conditions: What to Know
Substance Use Disorder and Mental Health Conditions: What to Know
Substance use disorder (SUD), or drug use disorder (DUD), is when someone keeps using a substance even when it's harmful and causing problems in their life. The substance may be drugs, alcohol, or medicine used in a way it's not supposed to be used.
A mental health condition is a problem that affects the way a person feels, thinks, or acts. It can cause issues in their daily life.
In some cases, a person can have both an SUD and a mental health condition. This is called a dual diagnosis.
What are the signs or symptoms?
If you have an SUD, a mental health condition, or both, you may:
Feel worried, scared, or nervous (anxious) without a clear reason. This can make you feel helpless or hopeless.
Have mood swings or outbursts of anger.
Get annoyed easily (be irritable).
Have changes in how you sleep or eat.
Feel tired or have low energy.
Have thoughts that won't go away or are hard to forget.
SUDs and mental health conditions can have the same symptoms. A health care provider will carefully work out what is causing each symptom.
How is this diagnosed?
Your provider or a mental health expert may:
Ask about:
Your symptoms.
Your substance use. They may ask:* What substances you use.* How often you use each substance.* How much of each substance you use.
Your health and mental health history.
Your family's health and mental health history.
Do an exam.
Do tests, like blood or pee tests, to check:
For other health problems.
What drugs are in your system.
Be fully honest with your provider when they ask you questions. If you're not fully honest, something could be missed.
How is this treated?
It's best to treat SUDs and mental health conditions at the same time. To treat them, you may need to:
Get the substance out of your body safely through detox.
Take medicines. These can help with symptoms and with other health issues.
Join a support group. These groups can be very helpful for recovery. They include:
Alcoholics Anonymous (AA).
Narcotics Anonymous (NA).
Talk with a counselor or therapist. You may need to go to daily counseling sessions at a treatment center.
Stay at a live-in treatment center for days or weeks.
Follow these instructions at home:
Medicines
Take your medicines only as told. Do not stop taking them even if you start to feel better.
Tell your provider if you have any side effects from your medicines.
General instructions
Find healthy ways to cope with stress. You may want to:
Exercise more.
Meditate.
Spend time with family and friends who aren't using substances.
Have a plan for times when there's a bigger chance you might start to use substances again.
Talk with your family and friends. Let them know what your symptoms are and what things cause your symptoms to start.
Have a plan for how to say "no" if someone offers you drugs.
Know how to get in touch with people who want to help and support you during recovery.
Try to avoid:
Being with or around people who use or sell drugs.
Going places or being around people that make you want to do drugs.
Going places where drugs are or might be.
Where to find more information
To learn more, you can:
Talk with your provider.
Talk with a mental health expert or substance use specialist.
Go to:
Just Think Twice at justthinktwice.gov.
The National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) at nida.nih.gov.* Click "Search" and type "drug and alcohol challenge" or "Drugs A - Z."* Find the link you need.
The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) at samhsa.gov/find-help.
Contact a health care provider if:
Your symptoms get worse.
You have side effects from your medicines.
You have new symptoms.
You start using substances.
Get help right away if:
You think you may have taken too much of a drug. This is called an overdose. Symptoms can include:
Chest pain.
Feeling confused.
Feeling sleepy or having trouble staying awake.
Slowed breathing.
Feeling like you may throw up.
Throwing up.
A seizure.
These symptoms may be an emergency. Call 911 right away.
Do not wait to see if the symptoms will go away.
Do not drive yourself to the hospital.
Also, get help right away if:
You feel like you may hurt yourself or others.
You have thoughts about taking your own life.
You have other thoughts or feelings that worry you.
Take one of these steps right away:
Go to your nearest emergency room.
Call 911.
Contact the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline (24/7, free and confidential):
Call or text 988.
Chat online at chat.988lifeline.org.
For Veterans and their loved ones:
Call 988 and press 1.
Text the Veterans Crisis Line at 838255.
Chat online at veteranscrisisline.net.
This information is not intended to replace advice given to you by your health care provider. Make sure you discuss any questions you have with your health care provider.
Document Revised: 09/04/2025 Document Reviewed: 09/04/2025
Elsevier Patient Education © 2025 Elsevier Inc.