Beach House Center for Recovery is one of the most respected Florida mental health treatment centers. Here, we focus on adult mental health—helping people successfully manage their addiction and co-occurring mental health disorders for long-term recovery.
If you or a loved one are living with unmanaged mental health issues or behavioral disorders, we are here to help.
Backed by mental health clinicians, addiction specialists, and psychiatric providers, Beach House offers expert, intensive intervention for people seeking freedom from addiction.
Please continue reading to learn more about our Florida mental health services.
What Is a Mental Health Disorder?
A mental health disorder, also known as a mental illness or psychiatric disorder, refers to a wide range of conditions that affect a person’s thoughts, emotions, behavior, and overall mental well-being.
All mental health disorders are characterized by clinically significant disruptions in cognition, emotional regulation, or behavior.
These disorders can vary in severity and duration and can interfere with a person’s ability to function effectively in their daily life.
A few factors that may increase your risk of developing a mental health condition include
- Trauma
- Family history
- Environmental threats (e.g., air pollution)
- Biology and brain chemistry
- Unhealthy lifestyle habits
It’s important to note that a direct tie exists between mental health and addictions to alcohol, drugs, and other unhealthy substances.
A mental health disorder can manifest in various ways with numerous diagnostic outcomes. Below, we provide a comprehensive mental health disorders list for better understanding.
The Most Common Mental Health Disorders
Exploring various types of mental health disorders is essential for understanding the complex landscape of mental well-being.
The top mental health disorders include
Is Substance Abuse a Mental Health Disorder?
According to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, a widely recognized classification system used by mental health professionals for diagnosing and categorizing mental health conditions, substance abuse, more formally referred to as substance use disorder (SUD), is a mental health disorder.
SUD encompasses a range of problematic behaviors and symptoms related to substance misuse, such as alcohol, drugs, and prescription medications.
These behaviors may include cravings, a loss of control over substance use, continued use despite adverse consequences, and withdrawal symptoms when not using the substance.
SUD can have severe physical, psychological, and social consequences, and it often co-occurs with other mental health disorders, making treatment and intervention critical for individuals affected by it.
It’s essential to recognize that substance abuse or addiction is not solely a behavioral issue but also involves changes in brain chemistry and function, which is why it is categorized as a mental health disorder.
The Links Between Mental Health and Addictions
The links between mental health and addictions are complex and often intertwined.
Several factors contribute to the co-occurrence of mental health disorders and addiction, including
- Self-Medication
Some people with mental health issues may use substances as a form of self-medication to temporarily alleviate symptoms. They may find that alcohol or drugs temporarily relieve anxiety, depression, or other emotional distress. However, this self-medication often leads to a cycle of addiction and worsening mental health.
- Biological Factors
Shared biological and genetic vulnerabilities may increase the risk of mental health and substance use disorders. For example, alterations in brain chemistry can predispose individuals to both conditions.
- Environmental Factors
Environmental stressors and trauma can contribute to developing mental health and addiction issues. Experiencing trauma, abuse, or chronic stress can increase the risk of both conditions. - Neurochemical Changes
Substance use can change the brain’s chemistry and function. These changes can affect mood, cognition, and behavior, potentially exacerbating existing mental health problems or developing new ones. - Withdrawal Symptoms
When individuals with substance use disorders try to quit or reduce their substance use, they often experience withdrawal symptoms, including mood swings, anxiety, and depression. These symptoms can mimic or exacerbate existing mental health conditions. - Social Isolation
Both mental health issues and addiction can contribute to social isolation and difficulty maintaining healthy relationships. Social isolation can, in turn, worsen mental health problems and fuel addiction.
It’s important to understand that substance abuse is not solely a behavioral issue but also involves changes in brain chemistry and function, which is why it is categorized as a mental health disorder.
Recognizing these links is important because individuals with co-occurring disorders may face unique challenges in accessing appropriate care and achieving recovery.
Our Florida Mental Health Service and Treatment Programs
Beach House Center for Recovery offers comprehensive, evidence-backed treatment for patients with substance use disorders and co-occurring mental health conditions.
We recognize that it is highly unusual for people to struggle with only a single mental health issue without experiencing overlapping difficulties, such as substance use.
Mental health disorders and addiction exacerbate each other, creating patterns of destructive behavior and cycles of substance misuse. Engaging in addiction behaviors or substance misuse significantly worsens mental health, and deteriorating mental health leads to a greater dependence on mood-altering substances.
At Beach House, we offer the following treatment programs for co-occurring mental health disorders:
- Dual Diagnosis
- Integrated Trauma Treatment
- Treatment for Psychiatric Disorders
Treatment for the underlying mental health disorder is the only way to break the cycle of addiction. At Beach House, we provide dedicated mental health treatment and support alongside a licensed mental health counselor in Florida for all mental health diagnoses.
Effective Treatment for Mental Health and Addictions in Florida
Beach House Center for Recovery provides intensive treatment for people experiencing patterns of addiction exacerbated by mental health disorders.
Our compassionate mental health clinicians, addiction specialists, and psychiatric providers work with patients to develop the right combination of therapeutic interventions for their unique symptoms, needs, and addiction patterns.
Please contact our experienced admissions counselors to learn more about our approach and to start your road to recovery sooner.