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I oversee programs for MICA (mentally ill chemical abuser) adults. I will be using this column to inform you about new findings on MICA treatment, highlight success stories, and share some ideas that I think are important to people living with both serious mental illness and chemical dependence.

There are estimates that 50% of people diagnosed with a serious mental illness use drugs and/or alcohol in an addictive manner. This means that they continue using even though they believe that the drugs and/or alcohol cause significant problems in their lives.

There are many reasons why people with mental illness use drugs and/or alcohol. They may be self-medicating their symptoms (using illicit substances to block their psychiatric symptoms) as well as self-medicating their painful childhood memories. People who are diagnosed with both serious mental illness and chemical dependence often are unaware that they even have a mental illness until their substance abuse brings them to a hospital or detox and they are evaluated.

Recovery from mental illness and chemical dependence is very difficult, but there are millions of people who do it every day. The great news is that both mental illness and chemical dependence are TREATABLE conditions.

While it is up to you to maintain your psychiatric stability and sobriety, there are lots of support systems available to you.

Support

Every individual diagnosed with mental illness and chemical dependence needs a sober support network. At a minimum, this should include a 12-Step meeting such as AA or NA. Double Trouble in Recovery (DTR) is a 12-step meeting specifically for individuals diagnosed with mental illness and chemical dependence. Obtaining a sponsor can be very useful. Make sure you feel comfortable with and understood by whomever you choose as your sponsor. Also make sure that they are available when you will need them. For example, if your urges happen mostly at night, you may want to make sure that your potential sponsor doesn't work or go to school at night.

Family, friends and partners/spouses can be wonderful sources of support, as long as they are sober and are encouraging of your recovery. A day program or groups that offer MICA treatment is a great way to learn about your illness and tools of recovery.

Your mental health is important. Therapy can help you deal with past issues as well as help you cope with current stress. It is important that you feel comfortable with your therapist and your psychiatrist.

Think about what you feel makes you stronger in your journey towards recovery. Is it going to church? To art museums? Creating poetry? Keeping a journal? Volunteering at an animal shelter or in a soup kitchen? Having coffee once a week with a good friend? All of these can be included in your support network. You deserve to get all the support you can!