Dual Diagnosis Treatment

Dual diagnosis treatment is most effective when a mental health condition and substance use disorder are treated simultaneously.

A dual diagnosis is when a person is diagnosed with both a mental health disorder and a substance use disorder. The conditions are usually treated separately, but when diagnosed in the same person, they are related and can have noticeable impacts on one another.

To have the most effective outcome, a person with a dual diagnosis should receive treatment for both disorders at the same time. Dual diagnosis treatment programs are designed to address each issue individually while keeping in mind how the other disorder may influence the treatment plan. For example, dual diagnosis rehab treats substance use disorder by allowing the person to go through withdrawal and treat their addiction. The person will also receive therapy for their mental health disorder during the addiction treatment process.

What Is Dual Diagnosis?

The definition of a dual diagnosis is when a person is diagnosed with one or more mental health disorder (such as anxiety, depression or a personality disorder) along with one or more substance use disorder (such as alcohol or opioid abuse). A dual diagnosis can also be termed co-occurring disorders or comorbidity.

There are several different types of dual diagnosis treatment. These will vary depending on the specific combination of disorders a person has but will usually focus on reducing psychiatric symptoms and reducing substance use. For example, a variation of cognitive behavioral therapy has been developed to treat post-traumatic stress disorder and substance use disorders.

Symptoms of Dual Diagnosis

Only a mental health professional can diagnose a mental health or substance use disorder. However, knowing the common symptoms of dual diagnosis may help an individual recognize when they need assistance.

The symptoms of dual diagnosis are similar to the symptoms of mental health disorders and substance use disorder, but they occur in the same person. Those symptoms include:

• Retreating from relationships with family and friends
• Sudden changes in behavior
• Difficulty managing daily tasks
• Engaging in risky behaviors
• Neglecting health and hygiene
• Using substances under unsafe conditions
• Losing control over substance use
• Developing high tolerance to a substance
• Experiencing withdrawal symptoms
• Feeling the need to use the substance to function normally

How Common Are Co-Occurring Disorders?

Co-occurring disorders are quite common, according to the National Survey on Drug Use and Health. Co-occurring disorders (any mental illness and at least one substance use disorder) were diagnosed in an estimated 8.5 million American adults in 2017. The report noted that of those 8.5 million adults, 51% received treatment for either their substance use disorder or their mental health disorder. Only 8.3% received treatment for both disorders.

The most common mental health disorders that co-occur with substance use disorders include:

• Depression
• Anxiety
• Borderline personality disorder
• Post-traumatic stress disorder
• Eating disorders
• Schizophrenia 
• Bipolar disorder

Benefits of Dual Diagnosis Treatment

When only one diagnosed disorder is treated, the treatment is less likely to be as effective as it would be in a person who does not have a dual diagnosis. Comprehensive treatment that addresses both issues is important to have the highest impact on the individual working toward recovery.

A dual diagnosis is likely to be a complex case, requiring a more intensive treatment program than a mental health disorder on its own. The benefits of dual diagnosis treatment are that the person can:

• Receive necessary treatment to stop using drugs or alcohol
• Receive therapy to help them cope with their mental health disorder
• Work with a therapist to understand how their co-occurring disorders are connected
• Address the roots of addiction and causes of their mental health disorder
• Learn coping mechanisms for mental health conditions
• Identify and avoid triggers associated with relapse
• Build a solid relapse prevention plan

Related Webinar: Dual Diagnosis: Dealing with Double Trouble 

Dangers of Self-Medication

When a person has a mental health issue, they may turn to substance use to cope with physical and psychological symptoms. This action is called self-medication, and self-medication is dangerous. It can lead to addiction to the substance as well as making mental health issues worse. For example, a person may use alcohol to ease the symptoms of their depression, but as soon as the alcohol wears off, they feel even more depressed. This process can be a vicious cycle that leads to addiction.

Additional risks of self-medication include:

• Delaying the diagnosis of an underlying mental health disorder
• Feeling amplified symptoms when not using the substance
• Developing tolerance to the substance, building a desire to use more
• Becoming addicted to the substance

Is Dual Diagnosis Treatment Right for Me?

Dual diagnosis treatment is important for anyone who has been simultaneously diagnosed with a mental health disorder and a substance use disorder. It is important to get help for both of the issues, not just address one of them.

If you have been diagnosed with a co-occurring mental health and substance use disorder, then dual diagnosis treatment is right for you. Additionally, to be sure, you can:

• Speak with your primary care provider
• Speak with a licensed mental health professional
• Talk to a representative of The Recovery Village

How to Find Dual Diagnosis Treatment Near Me

Dual diagnosis treatment centers can help individuals dealing with simultaneous mental health and substance use disorders. To find a dual diagnosis treatment facility, you can:

• Call the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration’s helpline at 1-800-662-HELP (4357)
• Use a behavioral health treatment locator tool
• Ask your doctor for a rehab center recommendation
• Ask your therapist for a recommendation to a dual diagnosis center
• Search recovery resources by zip code
• Find the nearest location of The Recovery Village (most locations offer dual diagnosis care)

Dual Diagnosis Programs at The Recovery Village

At The Recovery Village, we understand that most people who struggle with drug and alcohol addictions also face mental health conditions. We believe that lasting healing begins with addressing both conditions simultaneously and allowing people to recover physically and psychologically. We offer dual diagnosis treatment in our residential and outpatient programs at most of our locations across the country.

If you or a loved one are struggling with a mental health disorder and a substance use disorder, The Recovery Village can help. The Recovery Village has dual diagnosis treatment programs that will address both diagnoses and get individuals the right treatment plan to improve treatment outcomes. To learn more about our comprehensive treatment plans, call The Recovery Village to speak with a representative.

Editor – Camille Renzoni

Cami Renzoni is a creative writer and editor for The Recovery Village. As an advocate for behavioral health, Cami is certified in mental health first aid and encourages people who face substance use disorders to ask for the help they deserve. Read more

Medically Reviewed By – Dr. Trisha Sippel, PhD

Dr. Sippel is a diversely trained scientist with expertise in cancer biology and immunology. Read more