In fact, anything can make it difficult for an individual's ability to interact effectively, which may lead into a mental health problem (Association C. M., 2001) (CAMH, 2010). There is thought to be three causes of mental illness (Association C. M., 2001). The first is genetic and some researchers suggest that mental illness is inherited. Psychological is the second and this is when individuals express low self esteem, which leads to depression. The third is socio-cultural, or stress of life. This is when the family structure or ways of communication could cause abnormal behavior (Association C. M., 2001). .
Co-Occurring Disorders (COD) describe a condition in which a person has both a mental illness and a substance abuse problem (Network, 2008; Association C. M.). People may choose to self medicate as a way to feel better, causing them to become dependent. Co-Occurring Disorders are often referred as dual diagnosis, dual disorders, and concurrent (CAMH, 2010). The title is used widely, and involves many different combinations. For example, an individual who is an alcoholic and suffering with chronic depression has a COD, or a person who is schizophrenic who also abuses cannabis; they also have a COD (Network, 2008; Association C. M.). There is no simple cause of COD and the effects vary from person to person. It may depend on which substance use and mental health problems a person has and how severe the problems are (CAMH, 2010) (Association C. M.). Some effects that tend to arise with co-occurring disorders include disruptive behavior, severe psychiatric symptoms such as hallucinations, and suicidal feelings. Research also suggests that individuals who have a mental illness are more likely to struggle with addiction, and those who struggle with addiction are more likely to develop a mental illness. Thirty-seven percent of people diagnosed with an alcohol disorder will have a mental health disorder at some point in their lives, close to twice the rate found in people who do not have life time history of a substance use disorder (Bergman, 2011).
