If you are struggling with mental health and addiction at the same time, dual diagnosis treatment centers help provide treatment plans that focus on both conditions together. 

Learn more about dual diagnosis and how this particular mental health diagnosis increases the likelihood of developing a Substance Use Disorder (SUD).

What Is “Dual Diagnosis”?

If you have an SUD and a mental health condition at the same time, it’s called dual diagnosis or co-occurring disorders. This means you are dealing with both challenges together, and they can affect each other in many ways.

When you have a dual diagnosis, treatment needs to focus on both conditions at the same time. If only one is treated, the other can still cause problems and lead to relapse. That’s why many treatment programs offer integrated care, where mental health professionals and addiction specialists work together to help you.

How Dual Diagnosis Increases the Likelihood of Developing an SUD

Living with a mental health disorder can be challenging, and some people might use alcohol or drugs to cope with their symptoms. This self-medication can temporarily relieve feelings like sadness, anxiety, or stress. However, over time, substance use can worsen these symptoms and lead to dependence, which creates a cycle that’s hard to break.

This rings true as research shows that having a mental health disorder can make you more likely to develop a SUD. For instance, individuals with mental disorders are at a higher risk of later substance use conditions.¹

Common Co-Occurring Mental Health Disorders

Certain mental health issues often occur alongside SUDs, including:²

• Depression and Bipolar Disorder: These mood disorders frequently co-occur with substance use disorders.
• Anxiety Disorders: Conditions like generalized anxiety disorder and panic disorder are commonly found in individuals with SUDs.
• Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD): There is a notable prevalence of co-occurrence between ADHD and substance use disorders.
• Psychotic Illnesses: Individuals with disorders like schizophrenia have higher rates of substance use disorders compared to the general population.

How Dual Diagnosis Is Treated

Because both mental health and substance use are involved, treatment often includes:

• Medical detox – If needed, you may go through a supervised process to safely stop using substances.
• Medication – Some people may need medication to stabilize their mood or manage symptoms.
• Support groups – Rehab centers offering group schedules and groups like Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) offer support to people facing similar struggles.
• Holistic therapy – Approaches like yoga, meditation, acupuncture, art therapy, and outdoor/nature therapy can help address emotional and physical well-being.
• Therapy – Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT), and trauma-informed therapy can help you understand and manage both conditions.
• Structured outpatient care – If you need structured treatment but not full hospitalization, programs such as IOP (Intensive Outpatient Program) and OP (Outpatient Program) offer therapy, counseling, and support while allowing you to continue daily life responsibilities.
• Lifestyle changes – Exercise, a healthy diet, and stress management techniques can improve both mental health and recovery.

The Importance of Integrated Treatment

When dealing with a dual diagnosis, you should address both the mental health disorder and the substance use disorder simultaneously. Integrated treatment approaches that consider both conditions can lead to better outcomes and reduce the risk of relapse.

If you or someone you know is facing these challenges, dual diagnosis treatment centers can provide professional help that addresses both aspects and supports your journey to recovery.

Find inpatient services at South Coast Counseling.

Source:

Bethesda. (2020). Common Comorbidities with Substance Use Disorders Research Report. In PubMed. National Institutes on Drug Abuse (US). https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK571451/

Swendsen, J., Conway, K. P., Degenhardt, L., Glantz, M., Jin, R., Merikangas, K. R., Sampson, N., & Kessler, R. C. (2010). Mental disorders as risk factors for substance use, abuse and dependence: results from the 10-year follow-up of the National Comorbidity Survey. Addiction, 105(6), 1117–1128. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1360-0443.2010.02902.x