Mental disorders do not discriminate. They can affect anyone regardless of their upbringing, age, race, education, financial situation, and gender. When you have an addiction and mental disorders simultaneously, it is called a dual diagnosis. Though combined addiction and mental health disorders is a tough situation, people can develop either substance abuse or mental illness first. Mental issues like PTSD, anxiety and depression begin by initially taking drugs in a misguided effort to self-medicate and ease the negative feelings. Alcohol or other drugs can exacerbate the symptoms of mental issues. People with substance misuse problems can also develop depression and other disorders, especially when their addiction makes them isolated from family and friends. How Prevalent Are Addiction/Mental Health Disorders? According to the National Survey of 2016 on Drug Use and Health, about 8.2 million adults aged 18 or older, or 3.4% of all adults, have both mental issues and substan...