Concurrent Disorders

Concurrent disorders describe conditions in which a person has both a mental illness and is experiencing harmful involvement with alcohol, other drugs and/or gambling.

Capital Health has released a new model of care to support addictions and mental health staff in better caring for individuals living with concurrent disorders. To learn more, read the report entitled "A Collaborative Framework - Caring for Individuals Living with Concurrent Disorders."

Concurrent disorders can refer to a wide range of mental illnesses and addictions. For example, an individual with schizophrenia, who is harmfully involved with cocaine, has a concurrent disorder. So does an individual who is experiencing chronic depression and is harmfully involved with alcohol. The road to wellness and recovery is different for each person, and treatments vary, but help is available.

How common are concurrent disorders?

It is hard to know exactly how many people have a concurrent disorder. We do know, however, that people with mental illness have much higher rates of addiction than the general population. It is also true that individuals who are harmfully involved with substances and/or gambling have much higher rates of mental illness.

Where can I get help?

If you are experiencing symptoms of mental illness - or think you might be - and you are also harmfully involved with alcohol, other drugs and/or gambling, it is important for you to seek help from a qualified professional.

To learn more, please contact us. 

Other Resources:

Source: Adapted from "Concurrent Disorders. Canadian Mental Health Association,