Substance Use Disorder and Mental Health:
What’s the Connection?

Learn how New Life Recovery approaches substance use disorder and mental health treatment through comprehensive evidence-based and holistic therapies.
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Written and reviewed by the clinical team at New Life Recovery in Fresno, California, including licensed therapists, medical professionals, and recovery specialists committed to helping individuals build healthier futures.

Substance Use Disorder and Mental Health Treatment: Your Path Forward

Behind nearly every struggle with substance use disorder (SUD) is a deeper mental health story like anxiety, trauma, and depression. When we treat one without the other, we risk missing the root cause and the opportunity for real transformation.

More than 1 in 15 adults living with serious mental health conditions also struggle with substance use.1

At New Life Recovery, we treat the mind and body together, with compassion, science, and a program built around connection and care.
Learn how substance use disorder and mental health are deeply connected, and how we provide personalized, evidence-based treatment to support lasting recovery.
substance use disorder and mental health

The Link Between Substance Use Disorder and Mental Health

Mental health challenges, such as anxiety, trauma, and depression, often drive individuals toward substance use as a form of escape or self-medication. While substances may temporarily dull emotional pain, they often deepen the underlying issue, leading to dependency.
When SUD is treated in isolation, we miss the critical connection between emotional regulation and the brain’s reward system; two systems deeply affected by both mental health issues and substance use.

At New Life Recovery, we focus on therapies that address this interplay, helping clients move beyond short-term relief toward long-term healing.

Why Co-Occurring Disorders Require Integrated Treatment

Co-occurring disorders, where substance use disorder and mental health conditions are present together, require specialized, integrated treatment.2

Nearly half of individuals with serious mental illness also struggle with SUD, yet many receive treatment for only one issue.

At New Life Recovery, we take an integrative approach. Our team uses evidence-based treatments while also offering mindfulness, yoga, and other holistic practices. This comprehensive approach increases the likelihood of sustainable recovery by addressing the whole person.

New Life Recovery’s Commitment to Whole-Person Healing

We know that meaningful recovery happens when individuals are treated as more than their symptoms. Our continuum of care spans detox, residential treatment, outpatient programs, and aftercare. This ensures support at every stage, creating a safe and structured path forward.

Healing involves more than abstaining from substances; it’s about discovering how to live fully and purposefully. Through individual therapy, group sessions, fitness and wellness programs, and spiritual exploration, we help clients rebuild their lives with intention and resilience.

Integrated Treatment for Better Outcomes

Mental health and SUD are deeply connected. At New Life Recovery, we embrace integrated treatment, addressing both simultaneously.3

This approach supports emotional regulation, reduces the risk of returning to SUD, and helps clients identify the emotional triggers that fuel substance use.

Addressing Substance Use Disorder and Mental Health Together

Integrated treatment offers powerful, lasting change by healing the mind and body together, as it:
  • Addresses root causes of both mental health and substance use
  • Strengthens coping skills and emotional regulation
  • Reduces cravings and helps prevent a return to SUD
  • Fosters healthier relationships and support systems
  • Builds resilience and long-term stress management tools
  • Helps clients rediscover purpose and fulfillment without substances

Customized Care Plans Tailored to Each Client’s Unique Needs

No two people experience substance use or mental health issues in the same way. Our team works closely with each client to develop a treatment plan based on personal history, goals, and diagnoses.

Whether clients are facing trauma, depression, or anxiety, we draw from a robust toolkit, evidence-based therapies, holistic modalities, and experiential therapies to craft a personalized path to recovery.

Examples of Conditions Commonly Treated Alongside Substance Use

Substance use disorder often co-occurs with a wide variety of mental health conditions, and treating both at the same time is essential for recovery.
Some of the most common conditions we address at New Life Recovery include:
  • Anxiety disorders
  • Depression
  • Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
  • Bipolar disorder
  • Grief and loss
  • Chronic stress
  • Trauma 
  • Chronic impulsivity
substance use disorder and mental health

Evidence-Based Therapies That Support Dual Recovery

We offer a wide spectrum of evidence-based therapies that target both substance use disorder and mental health conditions.4 These therapies rewire thought patterns, improve emotional regulation, and build long-term recovery skills.
Below are proven methods offered at New Life Recovery:

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)

CBT is one of the most widely used therapies for treating substance use disorder and mental health conditions. It helps clients identify and change negative thought patterns that contribute to SUD and emotional distress.

Through CBT, clients learn how their thoughts influence their feelings and behaviors, enabling them to develop healthier coping mechanisms.

Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT)

DBT is an effective substance use disorder and mental health treatment for individuals who struggle with intense emotions and self-destructive behaviors.

By teaching mindfulness, emotional regulation, and interpersonal effectiveness, DBT helps clients navigate the challenges of recovery while managing mental health symptoms.
DBT is particularly helpful for those with borderline personality disorder, self-harm tendencies, or emotional dysregulation.

Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR)

EMDR is particularly useful for those with trauma-related issues, including PTSD. By processing distressing memories through guided eye movements, EMDR helps clients heal from past trauma, which can often be a major contributing factor to substance use.

This approach enables individuals to break free from the grip of their past experiences and regain emotional stability.

Schema Therapy

This therapy is designed to help individuals identify and change deeply ingrained patterns of behavior and thinking (schemas) that develop early in life and contribute to mental health struggles. Schema therapy is particularly beneficial for those with personality disorders or chronic mental health conditions.
It helps individuals address core emotional needs not met in childhood, improving emotional regulation and self-worth.

Motivational Interviewing (MI)

MI is a client-centered, directive approach designed to help individuals explore and resolve ambivalence about change. It’s particularly useful in the early stages of recovery, where individuals may feel conflicted about their commitment to treatment.
MI helps strengthen motivation and reinforces a person’s intrinsic desire to recover.

Trauma-Informed Therapy

This approach recognizes the profound impact of trauma on a person’s mental health and behavior. It provides a safe, supportive environment for individuals to process past traumatic experiences while ensuring that treatment is sensitive to the unique needs of trauma survivors.
This is critical for anyone whose substance use may be linked to unresolved trauma.

Family Systems Therapy

This therapy involves family members in the recovery process, acknowledging that substance use disorder and mental health struggles impact the entire family dynamic.
By addressing communication patterns, roles, and unresolved issues within the family, this family systems therapy helps create a supportive environment for the client and promotes healthier family relationships.

Rewiring the Brain’s Reward System with Natural Stimulation

SUD alters the brain’s reward pathways, making it difficult to feel pleasure without substances. At New Life Recovery, we work to rewire those pathways by introducing clients to natural sources of joy and fulfillment.
Through fitness, art, nature, and connection, we stimulate the brain’s reward centers in healthy ways. Clients begin to find satisfaction in everyday activities, helping reduce cravings and the likelihood of returning to SUD.
We incorporate holistic wellness practices into treatment, offering a well-rounded approach that strengthens the mind-body connection, including:5

Yoga and Mindfulness Practices

These practices are known to reduce stress, improve emotional regulation, and enhance self-awareness. By integrating yoga into the treatment process, clients can learn to listen to their bodies, cultivating a deeper connection between mind and body.

Cold Plunge Therapy and Infrared Sauna Sessions

This approach to substance use disorder and mental health therapy support physical detoxification, reduce stress, and promote overall well-being. They enhance recovery by promoting circulation, improving mood, and reducing anxiety, which all support the healing process.

Nutritional Counseling

Proper nutrition is essential for mental and physical health during recovery, and our on-site nutritionist ensures that clients are nourished and supported in their healing process. A balanced diet can significantly improve mood, energy levels, and cognitive function, helping to restore overall health.

Outdoor Adventure Therapy

Engaging with nature through hiking, outdoor meetings, and adventure therapy helps restore emotional balance and builds strong coping skills.
This substance use disorder and mental health therapy promotes self-discovery, teamwork, and personal growth while allowing individuals to connect with their surroundings and themselves.
substance use disorder and mental health

New Life Recovery’s Comprehensive Approach

We offer a full continuum of care that meets individuals where they are and walks beside them every step of the way.
Our model ensures a seamless transition through each phase of healing, including:

Medical Detox

For many, the first step in recovery is medical detox. This phase provides a safe, medically supervised environment where individuals can rid their bodies of harmful substances.

New Life Recovery’s detox program is designed to minimize withdrawal symptoms and ensure comfort and safety during this critical stage of recovery.

Our compassionate team provides individualized care, helping each client manage their physical and emotional needs while preparing for the next phase of treatment.

Residential Inpatient Rehab

Once detox is complete, our residential inpatient rehab program offers an immersive environment where clients can focus fully on their healing without distractions.
Located on our serene campus, this phase provides intensive therapeutic support, including a combination of individual and group therapy, holistic treatments, and family involvement.
Residential care offers the highest level of support, ensuring that clients have the tools and resources needed for sustainable recovery.

Partial Hospitalization Program (PHP)

For those who have completed residential treatment, our partial hospitalization program provides structured care while allowing individuals to live outside the treatment center. This program is designed to offer continued therapeutic support while fostering greater independence.

PHP clients benefit from intensive therapy, psychoeducation, and life skills development, preparing them to transition to the next level of care confidently.

Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP)

The intensive outpatient program offers flexibility for clients who no longer require full-time care but still need consistent support. IOP provides therapeutic services, group counseling, and individual therapy to help clients navigate the challenges of early recovery.

Our IOP clients develop coping strategies, build on the skills they’ve learned in earlier stages, and continue to engage in healing processes that help them stay on track.

Outpatient Drug Program

The final phase of treatment is our outpatient drug program, which offers flexible, ongoing support for individuals who have completed the higher levels of care. Clients in this program participate in weekly therapy sessions and check-ins to maintain their recovery while reintegrating into their daily lives.
This level of care focuses on maintaining sobriety, preventing a return to SUD, and long-term emotional support.

Family-Oriented Environment That Fosters Lasting Connections

At New Life Recovery, we understand that substance use disorder and mental health struggles affect not only the individual but also their family and loved ones. That’s why we prioritize family involvement throughout the recovery journey.
We offer family therapy, support groups, and educational resources to help families rebuild trust, improve communication, and support their loved one’s healing. Creating lasting connections between clients and their families is integral to fostering long-term recovery and emotional well-being.

Premier Treatment Center Focused on Empowering Clients to Love Their Lives

At New Life Recovery, we don’t just treat the symptoms of substance use disorder and mental health challenges; we help individuals rediscover the joy of living.
By providing personalized, evidence-based treatment in a supportive, holistic environment, we empower clients to build a fulfilling life free from substances.
Our comprehensive approach ensures that each individual receives the tools, support, and self-discovery needed to thrive in recovery and daily life. With a focus on empowerment, we believe that clients can rebuild a life they love on their own terms.

Ready to Start Your New Life?

At New Life Recovery, we know the power of treating substance use disorder and mental health together. Integrated care is key to lasting healing, and we’re here to guide you through every step of the recovery process. If you or a loved one is ready to embrace a life of renewal and freedom, connect with us today.

Our team is ready to answer your questions, provide resources, and help you start your journey toward lasting change. Don’t wait, take the first step toward a life you love. Reach out to New Life Recovery now and discover the transformative power of integrated care.

Reach out online to get started on your healthier tomorrow, today. Your path to healing begins now.

Resources

  1. https://www.nami.org/about-mental-illness/mental-health-by-the-numbers/
  2. https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/topics/substance-use-and-mental-health
  3. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC6799972/
  4. https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/24426-dual-diagnosis
  5. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/12924747/

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