What is concurrent disorder?
Concurrent disorder describes a condition in which a person has both a mental illness and is experiencing harmful involvement with alcohol, other drugs and/or gambling.
Concurrent disorder 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.
In Capital Health district, you can get free counselling as well as access to a variety of programs to support you.
For more information on local resources:
Community Mental Health Services
Visit Addiction Prevention and Treatment Services online or call Central Information and Referral at 424-8866 / toll free 1-866-340-6700.
Other resources:
Centre for Mental Health and Addiction (CAMH), About Concurrent Disorders
- Comprehensive information about mental illness and addiction.
A Family Guide to Concurrent Disorders
- A resource for individuals living with concurrent disorder, and their families. Includes information, tip lists and activities.
Addiction 101: Concurrent Disorders
- Online tutorials with topics on substance abuse and mental health.
Concurrent Substance Use and Mental Health Disorders: An Information Guide
- A guide for anyone looking for basic information about concurrent disorders, their treatment and their management.
Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA), About Concurrent Disorders
- Information about concurrent disorder with a list of resources.
Source: *Adapted from “Concurrent Disorders.” Canadian Mental Health Association, Ontario. http://www.ontario.cmha.ca/about_mental_health.asp?cID=7597
Information about other mental health conditions.
What is concurrent disorder?
Concurrent disorder describes a condition in which a person has both a mental illness and is experiencing harmful involvement with alcohol, other drugs and/or gambling.
Concurrent disorder 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.
In Capital Health district, you can get free counselling as well as access to a variety of programs to support you.
For more information on local resources:
Community Mental Health Services
Visit Addiction Prevention and Treatment Services online or call Central Information and Referral at 424-8866 / toll free 1-866-340-6700.
Other resources:
Centre for Mental Health and Addiction (CAMH), About Concurrent Disorders
- Comprehensive information about mental illness and addiction.
A Family Guide to Concurrent Disorders
- A resource for individuals living with concurrent disorder, and their families. Includes information, tip lists and activities.
Addiction 101: Concurrent Disorders
- Online tutorials with topics on substance abuse and mental health.
Concurrent Substance Use and Mental Health Disorders: An Information Guide
- A guide for anyone looking for basic information about concurrent disorders, their treatment and their management.
Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA), About Concurrent Disorders
- Information about concurrent disorder with a list of resources.
Source: *Adapted from “Concurrent Disorders.” Canadian Mental Health Association, Ontario. http://www.ontario.cmha.ca/about_mental_health.asp?cID=7597
Information about other mental health conditions.