For Mental Health Month, a focus on substance and alcohol abuse is critical

May is Mental Health Month, an occasion that health care professionals and substance abuse recovery advocates use to raise awareness about the trials and tribulations of those who deal with a mental illness. Of course, these diseases aren't seasonal, and it's always important for family members to keep an eye out for the signs of mental illness in their loved ones.

Something that everyone can do to help others who may be struggling with mental health issues is to learn about bipolar disorder, depression, anxiety and other illnesses that afflict the mind. These are sometimes difficult to detect, so it's important to learn how to differentiate them and what avenues of treatment might work most effectively.

In addition, we also encourage individuals to learn about the ways that alcohol and substance abuse can be exacerbated and influenced by mental health disorders. Typically, people will focus on the dependencies as if they were isolated conditions, rather than the result of other issues that lay underneath.

There is a strong correlation between mental illness and substance abuse. Drugs are often used as a method of self-medication for mental health issues by those who are either not aware or not compelled to seek treatment. At the same time, drug users can often develop mental illnesses as a result of their dependence.

If you or someone you know is suffering from substance abuse, it is crucial to contact treatment centers in Florida so that they can received help immediately. The best option is to contact Fairwinds Treatment Center, located in Clearwater. Our dual diagnosis program is designed to identify and treat both a patient's drug dependence and their mental health, which can provide a more sustained recovery than traditional treatment methods.