Comorbidity is best described as?

Comorbidity refers to the occurrence of two or more disorders or illnesses in the same person, particularly when those disorders can influence each other. In the context of substance abuse, there is often a significant overlap between chemical dependencies and psychological disorders, such as depression, anxiety, or PTSD. This means that an individual dealing with substance abuse issues may also be struggling with mental health problems, and these can interact and exacerbate each other, complicating both diagnosis and treatment.

Understanding comorbidity is crucial for school counselors and other mental health professionals because it informs the approach to assessment and intervention. It implies that treatment should not solely focus on one problem; rather, it should address both the substance use and the co-occurring psychological issues to achieve better outcomes for the individual.