This is a controversial topic. Generally speaking mental health is controversial and so is drug addiction.
So with that in mind, here is something to look at.
How concerned about the mental health issues of an addict should you be? Are there really mental health issues? If so what should be done about it?
Often an addict looks crazy or does crazy things when you are just looking at their life style and behavior. The kinds of actions they engage in, the personality changes they go through. Does that mean there is mental illness that should be dealt with?
Or are things like depression, anxiety attacks, manic episodes, paranoia, compulsive actions a part of addiction?
If they are a part of addiction shouldn’t a drug rehab program deal with the addiction in all its’ manifestations.
Well if you speak with ex-addicts who have gotten their lives back, are now functioning in society they will tell you they are part of their addiction. Yes, the drugs create a lot of bad effects some of these are what appears to be mental illness.
So should they get diagnosed with what ever symptoms they are displaying?
Simple answer is no, not while addicted. It results in an unfair diagnosis. If they successfully get off the drugs those symptoms go away - but a label of Bi-Polar, Obsessive Compulsive Disorder does not go away. The real danger is that once diagnosed with a mental illness the treatment is a drug. The drugs prescribed are psychotropic substances with lots of effects and side effects. That is why benzos, anti ADHD medications and others have street value - you can get high and you can get hooked.
Treating symptoms is dangerous. Look for holistic drug rehab programs that know the symptoms of drug/alcohol addiction and get to the source of the many problems and bizarre behaviors it creates.