Co-Occurring Mental Health and Substance Use Treatment

---

Co-occurring disorders occur when someone experiences both a mental health condition and a substance use disorder. For example, an individual may experience anxiety, depression, or trauma-related symptoms alongside difficulties involving alcohol or other substances.

Everyone's experience is different. Substance use may begin as a way to manage difficult feelings, cope with stress, or get through challenging circumstances. Over time, it can become harder to manage both the underlying concerns and the effects of substance use.

Seeking support is not a sign of weakness. It is an opportunity to understand what's happening, explore your options, and find healthier ways to care for yourself.

Support for co-occurring concerns considers the ways mental health and substance use can influence one another. Depending on your needs and the services provided, therapy may help you:

• Better understand the connection between emotions, stress, and substance use.
• Identify triggers and patterns that may contribute to substance use.
• Develop coping strategies for anxiety, depression, trauma, and emotional distress.
• Explore motivation for change and establish realistic personal goals.
• Strengthen boundaries, relationships, and support systems.
• Build skills that support recovery, emotional well-being, and long-term progress.

Treatment should be individualized, compassionate, and free from shame. You deserve support that recognizes your strengths and respects your readiness for change.

Liz Storey, LLMSW, CAADC, brings specialized training in addiction counseling to her work at Inner Peace Therapy. Her background can support individuals navigating substance use concerns alongside other emotional and mental health challenges.

Liz offers a supportive space to explore concerns, identify patterns, and work toward healthier coping strategies and meaningful personal goals. Her approach recognizes that recovery is a personal journey and that each individual deserves to be treated with dignity, understanding, and respect.

Whether you're considering changes in your substance use, working toward recovery, or seeking help with concerns that feel difficult to manage alone, connecting with a qualified professional can be an important first step.