Borderline personality disorder (BPD) can make everyday life feel unpredictable and emotionally intense. For many people, it involves navigating strong emotions, impulsive behaviors, and relationship struggles that can be deeply overwhelming. When substance use is also present, the path forward may seem even more uncertain. But healing is possible, and no one has to face it alone.
Woodland Recovery Center offers specialized co-occurring disorders treatment that addresses both BPD and substance use together. By combining compassionate care with proven substance abuse treatment strategies, our programs help people build stability, develop healthy coping tools, and take meaningful steps toward recovery.
What is borderline personality disorder?
Borderline personality disorder is a mental health condition characterized by intense emotions, unstable relationships, impulsive behavior, and difficulty with self-image. People with BPD often struggle to manage emotional highs and lows, which can affect how they view themselves and interact with others.
Common symptoms of BPD
BPD presents a range of challenges that can impact daily life and relationships. Symptoms may include:
- Fear of abandonment
- Intense and unstable relationships
- Shifting self-identity
- Paranoia or feeling disconnected from reality
- Impulsive or risky behaviors
- Suicidal thoughts or behaviors
- Mood swings
- Chronic feelings of emptiness
- Intense or uncontrollable anger
Why people with BPD may turn to drugs or alcohol
Living with borderline personality disorder can be emotionally overwhelming—not just for the person experiencing it, but also for their loved ones. Intense emotions, impulsive behavior, and deep feelings of distress can make everyday life feel difficult to navigate. For some, using drugs or alcohol becomes a way to cope with these challenging experiences.
Coping with intense emotions
Many individuals with BPD experience powerful emotional responses such as fear, anger, sadness, or anxiety. When these emotions feel unmanageable, some people may turn to substances in an attempt to find temporary relief or numb their feelings.
Impulsivity and risk-taking
Impulsive behavior is a common symptom of BPD. At the moment, decisions may be made without fully considering the consequences. This can sometimes lead to substance use or other high-risk behaviors like unsafe sex or reckless driving.
Managing emotional pain or suicidal thoughts
Some people with BPD struggle with suicidal thoughts or actions. In these moments of emotional pain, drugs or alcohol may seem like a way to cope or escape. While these substances might offer short-term relief, they often lead to more distress in the long run.
Why is co-occurring disorders treatment necessary for BPD and addiction?
When BPD and addiction occur together, they can intensify each other and make recovery more complex. BPD can lead to emotional instability, impulsivity, and intense mood swings—all of which may increase the risk of substance use as a way to cope. Substance use can worsen BPD symptoms, making it harder to manage emotions or build healthy relationships.
Co-occurring disorders treatment is essential because it addresses both conditions at the same time. Focusing only on addiction without addressing BPD symptoms can increase relapse risk. Likewise, treating mental health alone without tackling substance use may stall recovery.
Several evidence-based therapies are used together as part of a personalized treatment plan to support both conditions effectively.
Common therapies used and how they support recovery
Dialectical behavior therapy (DBT) is one of the most effective treatments for borderline personality disorder. This evidence-based approach focuses on helping individuals recognize problematic behaviors and develop healthier coping mechanisms to respond in constructive and positive ways.
DBT emphasizes four core skills:
- Mindfulness: Cultivating awareness and staying present in the moment
- Distress tolerance: Building the ability to handle challenging situations in a positive and resilient way
- Interpersonal effectiveness: Strengthening relationships by improving communication and maintaining healthy connections
- Emotional regulation: Gaining control over intense emotions that may have felt overwhelming in the past
Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) is also used to challenge negative thought patterns and develop more balanced responses to stress and cravings. Other helpful approaches may include:
- Trauma-informed therapy for those with unresolved trauma
- Motivational interviewing (MI) to build readiness for change
- Group and family therapy to reduce isolation and strengthen support
At Woodland Recovery Center, these therapies are part of our personalized co-occurring disorders treatment plans. We combine evidence-based methods with compassionate care in our integrated treatment to help individuals gain stability and rebuild their lives.
Call Woodland Recovery Center in Mississippi for specialized support with co-occurring conditions
Living with both borderline personality disorder and addiction can feel overwhelming, but you don’t have to go through it alone. At Woodland Recovery Center in Southaven, Mississippi, we specialize in treating co-occurring conditions with care rooted in compassion, expertise, and understanding. Our integrated treatment plans help you find balance, build emotional resilience, and regain control of your life. If you’re ready to take the next step toward healing, reach out to our team today at 662.222.2989 or contact us online. A more stable, fulfilling future starts with the right support.
