Concurrent
DISORDERS

Let's dive in

With the goal of furthering our understanding of the possible causes associated with a concurrent disorder (CD), please find more information on different hypotheses for its emergence below.

Each possible cause includes:

• A presentation of the hypothesis for the origin of concurrent disorders.
• A testimonial describing the cause.
• One or more associated avenues for intervention.

Please keep in mind: 

• The goal of this information is to help support workers further their reflections and to serve as an intervention aid. It can be used as a starting point for dialogue between a support worker and the person they're working with.
• It's important not to think of the avenues for intervention as a ready-made solution. They are a tool that should be used with nuance and consideration for the perspective of the person you're working with, as well as your own understanding of the situation.
• A concurrent disorder can have multiple causes, which are not necessarily exclusive. We may also see multiple causes associated with a concurrent disorder emerge at different stages of someone's life.
• Someone showing symptoms of a mental health disorder and who also uses psychoactive substances does not necessarily have a concurrent disorder. Concurrent disorders are characterized by mental health symptoms and psychoactive substance use which lead to suffering and/or problems functioning.