Around 21.2 million adults in the US have a Substance Use Disorder (SUD) and a co-occurring mental health disorder [1]. Addiction and mental illness often overlap because people turn to substances to cope with poor mental health, and because mental health disorders can arise from abusing substances.
Dual diagnosis is used by medical professionals and rehab centers to refer to treatment for addiction and mental health disorders. Using integrated therapies, dual diagnosis aims to stop substance abuse and manage mental health.
What is Dual Diagnosis?
Dual diagnosis is a term used “when someone experiences a mental illness and a substance use disorder simultaneously”, according to the National Alliance on Mental Illness [2]. Dual diagnosis is not a diagnosis itself, but the combination of diagnoses (i.e., an SUD and a mental health disorder).
Dual diagnosis treatment looks at how SUDs and mental health are connected, and includes a range of modalities like therapy, medication, and holistic practices. The goal is to prevent substance relapse, manage mental health, and work toward long-term recovery.
The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) ranks dual diagnosis treatment as the number one best practice for co-occurring disorders [3].
What is a co-occurring disorder?
A co-occurring mental health disorder is a mental health condition that presents at the same time as a substance use disorder. Bipolar disorder, depression, and anxiety are examples of co-occurring mental health disorders.
A co-occurring substance abuse disorder is an SUD that presents when a person has a mental health disorder. Alcohol abuse or drug addiction are examples of co-occurring SUDs.
It doesn’t matter if the mental health condition or the SUD came first, the combination of the two means that a person has a co-occurring disorder.
The Relationship Between Addiction and Co-occurring Mental Health
Substance use and mental disorders have a complex relationship. People who have SUDs are up to 3 times more likely to have a mental illness [4]. Meanwhile, people with some mental illnesses are more vulnerable to developing a substance use disorder [5].
In fact, individuals who have a mental illness consume roughly 38% of all alcohol, 44% of all cocaine, and more than half of opioid prescriptions in the US [6].
Research suggests that substance abuse and mental health disorders may occur together because [7]:
- Similar environmental factors can shape both SUDs and mental health disorders; these include trauma and stress.
- Mental health disorders can increase risk-seeking behaviors, which can lead to trying and regularly using substances.
- Some mental health disorders alter brain chemistry to make substance use feel more pleasurable.
- Substance use can alter brain chemistry to increase mental health disorders.
How Does Dual Diagnosis Treatment Help?
Dual diagnosis treatment provides care for both addiction and mental health. Whereas some programs only focus on the SUD or the mental health condition, dual diagnosis treats them in tandem.
To begin, dual diagnosis treatment has a comprehensive SUD and mental health assessment to understand the person’s history of both disorders. The provided treatment can then consist of therapies, peer support, medication, and wellness activities. The idea is to treat the person with, and beyond, their symptoms.
The integrated approaches may include detox, SUD counseling, relapse prevention, and Medication-Assisted Treatment (MAT). Behavioral therapies like Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT), and trauma-informed Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR).
If medication is prescribed, medical professionals will monitor progress and make adjustments to successfully treat both the addiction and mental health disorder.
Benefits of a dual diagnosis treatment program
Research shows that dual diagnosis can contribute to recovery and improvements in overall health.
About 50% [7] of people with co-occurring disorders respond well to a combined treatment program.
One study observing the effects of dual diagnosis treatment on people abusing alcohol also found that co-occurring mood disorders such as depression or bipolar disorder, anxiety disorders, and drug abuse involving opioids or cocaine, fell between 66 and 95% at months one, six, and twelve of the program [8].
Another study comparing long-term and short-term residential treatment programs for dual diagnosis patients revealed that the severity of the substance use disorder lessened for more than three-quarters of the patients in the long-term group [9].
Dual Diagnosis Treatment at Renu Healthcare
At Renu Healthcare, we support overall health – meaning people’s physical wellness and emotional balance. Our dual diagnosis treatment programs prioritize getting more people closer to recovery, one day at a time.
We have a team of expert, licensed medical professionals, ranging from doctors, therapists, and mental health specialists, to help patients at any moment. We also provide private, gender-specific living spaces, so people can move through the program with a sense of comfort and stability.
Our dual diagnosis treatment is tailored to each person’s needs, goals, and history to maximize healthy outcomes. The modalities we use include:
One-on-one counseling explores personal challenges with a trained therapist, to uncover the deeper causes of mental health disorders and addiction.
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy identifies and challenges negative thought patterns that can perpetuate damaging behaviors.
Group therapy connects patients with other people facing addiction and mental health disorders.
Life skills training builds practical abilities for daily use like problem-solving, communication, and time management.
Solution-focused therapy identifies patients’ strengths and how those can create positive change in their relationships.
Medication-assisted treatment (MAT) prescribes and administers medications to patients to ease withdrawal and support total detox.
Relapse prevention equips patients with tools to detect triggers and maintain a substance-free life.
Trauma-specific therapy processes and heals past traumatic experiences that may be fueling poor mental health or addiction.
Holistic therapy supports healing with nutrition, exercise, and stress management.
Meditation helps patients stay present and reduce impulsive reactions.
Yoga combines gentle breathing and movement to improve mindfulness.
The Road to Recovery Starts at Renu
Renu Healthcare is centered around restoring balance in the mind, body, and nervous system. Our holistic care features dual diagnosis treatment, detox programs, blood testing, and more. We offer a secure, drug-free environment during the toughest stages of recovery and we operate with expertise and empathy.
You’re not alone. You’re already on the right path by reading this. We’re here to help you take the next step.
Get in touch with our admissions team and start healing.
FAQs
What does dual diagnosis mean?
Dual diagnosis is when someone experiences a mental illness and a substance use disorder at the same time. It’s not the diagnosis of each disorder, but the combination of diagnoses. For example, someone suffering from an opioid addiction and depression would be considered to have a dual diagnosis.
What is a co-occurring mental health disorder?
A co-occurring mental health disorder is a mental health condition that occurs at the same time as a substance use disorder. Bipolar disorder, depression, and anxiety are examples of co-occurring mental health disorders.
What’s commonly included in a dual diagnosis treatment program?
Dual diagnosis treatment programs vary by provider, but common features include detox programs, counseling, relapse prevention, Medication-Assisted Treatment (MAT), Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), and trauma-informed Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR).
Some programs also include holistic elements like meditation, mindfulness activities, yoga, and group therapy.
Is dual diagnosis treatment more effective than treating each condition separately?
Yes, research shows that dual diagnosis treatment has strong outcomes compared to treating substance abuse disorders and mental health disorders separately. Dual diagnosis treatment can help target the root cause of addiction and mental health, and reduce the risk of relapse.
Sources
[1] Substance Abuse and Service Health Services Administration, (2024) 2024 National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH)
[2] National Alliance on Mental Illness, (2017), Understanding Dual Diagnosis
[3] U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration Center for Mental Health, (2019), Integrated Treatment for Co-occurring Disorders, Services Substance Abuse and Service Health Services Administration
[4] The Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, Mental Health and Addiction: Facts and Statistics
[5] National Institutes on Drug Abuse (US), (2020), Common Comorbidities with Substance Use Disorders Research Report, National Library of Medicine
[6] National Institutes on Drug Abuse (US), (2020), Common Comorbidities with Substance Use Disorders Research Report, National Library of Medicine
[7] National Institute of Mental Health, Finding Help for Co-Occurring Substance Use and Mental Disorders
[8] Journal of Systems and Integrative Neuroscience, (2017), The effects of residential dual diagnosis treatment on alcohol abuse, National Library of Medicine[9] Psychiatric Services, Volume 52, (2001), A Comparison of Long-Term and Short-Term Residential Treatment Programs for Dual Diagnosis Patients, Psychiatry Online