Stigma, characterized by negative attitudes, stereotypes, and discrimination towards individuals with mental illness and substance use disorder, poses a significant obstacle to recovery and societal well-being.
Co-occurring disorders refer to the situation where an individual has both a substance use disorder (SUD) and a mental health condition such as depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder, PTSD, or others. This dual-diagnosis is extremely common and poses unique challenges that necessitate specialized treatment for lasting recovery.