Problems are complex

From Chapter 1: Introduction in Improving our Response to Older Adults with Substance Use, Mental Health and Gambling Problems: A Guide for Supervisors, Managers and Clinical Staff

Substance use, mental health and gambling problems can affect and be affected by every aspect of a person’s life. Mental health conditions such as depression or anxiety may lead a person to try to cope with or manage symptoms through substance use or gambling. In turn, these problems may result in health, social or financial problems, placing additional strain on a person’s mental health. Often it is difficult to determine which problem came first or how to begin to address the various related problems. Because of this, it is important for service providers to be sensitive to the broad array of factors that can contribute to problems and to focus on the whole person, rather than only on the one problem that seems most obvious and troubling.