There is a very strong relationship between addiction and mental health. Some people use drugs or alcohol to self-medicate the symptoms of a mental illness such as PTSD or depression, whereas others develop the symptoms as a direct result of substance abuse

There is a scientifically proven connection between the shorter days and longer nights of the winter months and mental health disorders, with more people reporting symptoms towards the end of the year than at any other time. But what is it that makes us more susceptible to mental health issues at winter time?

Addiction and mental illness often go hand-in-hand. However, it is not always clear which condition preceded the other and each individual patient is different in this respect. Nevertheless, the fact remains that the majority of people with drug or alcohol addiction disease are also suffering with another mental disorder such as depression or anxiety. These cases are known as ‘dual-diagnosis’ and it is absolutely crucial to identify both conditions and treat them separately in order to heal them.