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Last Updated:

February 7th, 2025

Mental health

Mental health disorders can turn life into a daily struggle, affecting everything from your mood to your relationships. For years, the importance of mental health often went unrecognised, but today, we are beginning to recognise just how crucial it is to our overall well-being. If you are battling a mental illness, it might feel like there’s no way out, but the truth is that recovery is possible with the right knowledge and support. Oasis Runcorn understands the challenges of mental health conditions and the close link that often exists between mental health and addiction. We have helped countless people overcome these co-occurring disorders and are here to help you, too.

What is mental health?

Mental health is the foundation upon which a productive, happy life is built. When you have good mental health, you feel balanced, connected and able to handle whatever life throws your way.

Mental health can affect how children and young people learn, build relationships and navigate the ups and downs of growing up. For adults, good mental health helps them manage stress, make important decisions and maintain healthy relationships.

Unfortunately, mental health can be very fragile, and we now understand that mental health disorders can affect anyone. One in four people will experience some form of mental illness at some point in their lives, while one in six people in the UK experience some form of mental disorder each week.

Signs and symptoms of mental health disorders to look out for

Mental health disorders can vary a lot in terms of symptoms and severity. Still, all must be taken very seriously, as the consequences can be life-altering and even life-threatening. Some of the most common mental health symptoms include:

Persistent sadness or depression
Anxiety and panic attacks
Mood swings
Social withdrawal and loneliness
Changes in sleep patterns
Difficulty concentrating
Resulting physical symptoms
Irritability and anger
Feelings of worthlessness or guilt
Self-harm and suicidal thoughts
Substance abuse and addiction

What causes mental health conditions?

Mental health disorders often develop from a mix of different factors working together. The unique combination of these factors in each person can make both the symptoms and treatment of mental illness more difficult:

Biological factors

If mental health issues run in your family, you may sadly be more likely to face similar challenges yourself.

Life experiences

Tough times like going through abuse, losing someone close or surviving a traumatic event can all leave their mark. These experiences can trigger or make mental health problems worse, especially if they aren’t dealt with properly.

Psychological factors

How you see the world and handle stress can have a huge impact on mental health. Some people naturally bounce back from hard times but others might struggle more, making them more vulnerable to mental health disorders.

Environmental factors

Where you live and how you grew up can also have a big impact. If you have been exposed to violence or substance abuse or raised in a dysfunctional family, your long-term mental health can be greatly affected.

Developmental factors

Problems that happen while your brain is still developing, either before you are born or in early childhood, can affect your mental health later in life. These early issues can set the stage for problems that might not appear until you are older.

What is the link between mental health and addiction?

When you struggle with a mental health issue, it is common to turn to drugs or alcohol as a way to cope or find relief from the symptoms.

Unfortunately, this can create a vicious cycle where substance abuse worsens mental illness, which then leads to more substance use. Once this escalated use crosses the line to addiction; the co-existing mental health and addiction issues are called a dual diagnosis.

Dual diagnosis can make recovery very complicated, as treating addiction without considering the underlying mental health disorder that is fuelling it often leads to relapse down the line.

Common co-occurring disorders seen with addiction

ADHD and addiction

For those with ADHD, the constant mental chatter can be overwhelming. ADHD medicines and other substances can help to calm this nose, but they can also be highly addictive without medical supervision. Click to learn more.

ADHD and
addiction →

Anger management and addiction

Anger can flare up in an instant, and when it does, some people turn to substances to cool down. But instead of extinguishing the flames, addiction fans them, leading to more intense and destructive outbursts.

Anger management and addiction →

Anxiety and addiction

Anxiety can gnaw away at you, making daily life a constant struggle. It can be tempting to seek relief in drink or drugs, but when addiction follows, it can chain you to a cycle of anxiety and substance abuse. Click to learn more about Anxiety and addiction.

Anxiety and addiction →

Autism and addiction

Navigating a world that often feels overwhelming can drive some with autism to seek solace in substances. Unfortunately, addiction can add to the confusion and make symptoms even worse. Click to learn more about Autism and addiction.

Autism and addiction →

Bipolar and addiction

The highs and lows of bipolar disorder can deeply impact mental and emotional health. Substance use may seem like a way to stabilize extreme emotions temporarily, but addiction often intensifies these challenges, creating cycles that can be harder to manage. Effective treatment is essential for recovery.

Bipolar and addiction →

Borderline personality disorder and addiction

With BPD, emotions can feel like they are on a constant rollercoaster. Some people turn to drugs and alcohol to steady the ride, but instead, they are plunged into a destructive cycle of addiction.

Borderline personality disorder and addiction →

Codependency and addiction

In codependent relationships, the line between helping and hurting can easily blur. When addiction also enters the mix, it can trap both partners in a toxic loop. This harmful pattern prevents healthy boundaries, ultimately making recovery and emotional stability more challenging. Support can help.

Codependency and addiction →

Depression and addiction

Depression wraps you in a suffocating fog, making it hard to see a way out. Alcohol and drugs can seem to offer a temporary escape but often pull you deeper into dark thoughts and feelings. Real support and healthy coping mechanisms are key to breaking free. Oasis Runcorn can help

Depression and addiction →

Grief and addiction

Grief is an all-consuming pain, and for some, substance use can seem like the only way to numb it. However, addiction can add another layer of suffering, turning the process of mourning into a relentless struggle. Click to learn more about Grief and addiction.

Grief and
addiction →

Insomnia and addiction

Chronic insomnia can make a person desperate for any solution that provides rest and relief. Sleeping pills and other substances may provide temporary respite, but addiction can worsen sleep issues and create other serious problems.

Insomnia and addiction →

OCD and addiction

Living with OCD can feel like being trapped in a never-ending loop of thoughts and rituals. Some seek relief through drugs and alcohol, but this only adds to the chaos, making it even harder to manage obsessions and compulsions.

OCD and
addiction →

PTSD and addiction

The haunting memories of PTSD can be unbearable, and substances might seem like the only way to silence them. But addiction doesn’t erase the trauma; it tightens its grip, making the road to recovery even more treacherous. Click to learn more.

PTSD and
addiction →

Personality disorder and addiction

Personality disorders can make every day feel like a battle against yourself. Drugs and alcohol might seem like an ally in the fight, but dependency can quickly turn them into another enemy.

Personality disorder and addiction →

Schizophrenia and addiction

For those with schizophrenia, reality is often a frightening place. Substances might offer a brief escape, but addiction can greatly intensify the delusions and hallucinations. Click to learn more about dual diagnosis for Schizophrenia and addiction.

Schizophrenia and addiction →

Self-harm and addiction

Self-harm is often a way to externalise internal pain, and drugs and alcohol may seem like a better way of coping. But addiction and self-harm feed off each other, creating a vicious cycle that deepens both physical and emotional scars.

Self-harm and addiction →

Stress and addiction

When stress becomes too much to bear, substances can seem like a quick fix. But if you become reliant on drugs and alcohol, it can add more weight to an already heavy load. Click to learn more about dual diagnosis for Stress and addiction.

Stress and addiction →

Suicide and addiction

When life feels unbearable, alcohol and drugs might seem like the only way to numb the pain. But addiction can push you closer to the edge, making the fight for survival even more desperate. Get help for yourself or a loved one today.

Suicide and addiction →

Dual diagnosis

Many of those struggling with addiction find themselves entangled in a web of underlying mental health issues. Substance abuse and mental health symptoms often work together to fuel and trigger each other.

Dual diagnosis →

What does treatment for mental health disorders involve?

Effective mental health treatment is about finding what works best for you. At Oasis Runcorn, we offer a variety of treatments to help you feel better and regain control of your life. If you are dealing with co-occurring disorders, our approach to dual diagnosis treatment makes sure you get the help you need for addiction while also learning how to manage mental health symptoms better.

Our rehab treatment programmes combine group therapy, individual therapy and holistic approaches so that every pathway to sobriety and better mental health is explored. We provide inpatient treatment, so you will stay with us in a supportive environment where you can focus entirely on your recovery. Being away from the stressors and triggers of everyday life gives you the space to heal and grow.

After you finish at Oasis Runcorn, we offer free weekly group therapy for the first year and membership to our Alumni Network for life. This is just as important as anything you do during rehab, as it helps you stay connected to the support system you built during your time with us.

Seek help today

Your mental health is the foundation of everything else in your life. Let Oasis Runcorn help you rebuild it stronger than before if it is cracked or crumbling. Our holistic approach to treatment is designed to heal not just your mind but your entire well-being. Connect with us today and start the rebuilding process.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is addiction considered a mental illness?

Yes, addiction is recognised as a mental illness by the DSM-V (Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders). It is described as a chronic, relapsing disorder that changes the structure and workings of your brain, leading to compulsive behaviour despite the harm it causes. Like other mental health disorders, addiction affects your thoughts, emotions and actions, making it crucial to seek proper treatment and support.

How do I get a mental health diagnosis in the UK?

To get a mental health diagnosis in the UK, your first step is to visit your GP, who will listen to your concerns and may refer you to a specialist. They will assess your symptoms, ask about your history and possibly conduct some tests to provide a diagnosis. From there, a treatment plan can be implemented at a centre like Oasis Runcorn to help you manage your condition.

What is the mental health continuum?

The mental health continuum helps us understand that mental health isn’t just about being “sick” or “well.” Instead, it is a spectrum on which one’s mental state can shift between good, average and poor, depending on various factors like stress, life events and how one copes with them. It reminds us that mental health is fluid and that everyone’s experience is different.

(Click here to see works cited)

Chowdhury, Madhuleena Roy, and Jo Nash. “What is the Mental Health Continuum Model?” PositivePsychology.com, 1 September 2019, https://positivepsychology.com/mental-health-continuum-model/. Accessed 28 August 2024.
Hartney, Elizabeth. “DSM 5 Criteria for Substance Use Disorders.” Verywell Mind, 4 June 2024, https://www.verywellmind.com/dsm-5-criteria-for-substance-use-disorders-21926. Accessed 28 August 2024.
Mind. “Types of mental health problems.” Mind, https://www.mind.org.uk/information-support/types-of-mental-health-problems/. Accessed 28 August 2024.
National Institute of Mental Health. “Substance Use and Co-Occurring Mental Disorders – National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH).” National Institute of Mental Health, https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/topics/substance-use-and-mental-health. Accessed 28 August 2024.
SAMHSA. “What is Mental Health?” SAMHSA, 24 April 2023, https://www.samhsa.gov/mental-health. Accessed 28 August 2024.
UK Rehab. “Dual Diagnosis | Co-Occurring Disorders.” UK Rehab, https://www.uk-rehab.com/mental-health/dual-diagonosis/. Accessed 28 August 2024.