Experts say there is a clear connection between drug addiction and mental health illnesses.

Chief Executive Officer of Mindful Recovery Tamir Aldad says across Nassau County, Suffolk County and Queens, there were about 600 visits per month before the pandemic. Now, that number has grown to over 10,000.

A big part of the increase was levels of anxiety brought on by the pandemic that led to relapses.

Aldad says at their rehab program, they find most patients with substance abuse disorders have underlying mental illnesses that they have to treat.

"Treat the underlying issues that prompt a person to want to use and focus on them and giving them a skill to use," Aldad says. "If you're in a situation X, Y or Z, what an alternative?"

Kevin Daley, who is now 97 days sober, has dealt with the connection between substance abuse and mental health firsthand.

He says when he began to abuse alcohol it was like a dam breaking in his head. Job issues, income concerns and decisions he made years ago pushed him to the point where he tried to kill himself.

"Mental health issues lead to substance abuse and substance abuse leads to mental health issues," Daley says.

Anyone seeking help for addiction can contact a specialist at Mindful Care Psychiatry.