What is Dual Diagnosis?

People who struggle with substance use often also have mental health issues at the same time. Recognizing and treating these problems together is essential, and this is known as a dual diagnosis approach.

In the past, people usually treated addiction and mental health issues separately, without considering both at the same time. This approach has resulted in ineffective results.

In recent years, professionals have recognized the strong link between mental health and substance dependency. Professionals now recognize the close connection between mental health and substance abuse. Addressing both issues at the same time is crucial. This approach helps lower the chances of developing long-term substance abuse and psychological disorders.

When people don’t get help for substance abuse and mental health problems, they can make each other worse in a cycle.

An integrated treatment strategy encompassing a dual diagnosis program is critical for tackling both conditions simultaneously, enhancing the likelihood of a successful recovery.

What Is Dual Diagnosis?

Dual diagnosis signifies that a person concurrently battles a mental or personality disorder alongside a substance use disorder (SUD), needing comprehensive treatment for both.

Frequently, addiction and mental health disorders go hand in hand. Individuals may resort to drugs or alcohol as a form of self-medication for their mental health symptoms. However, the aftermath of substance use can intensify the mental health condition once the immediate effects wear off.

Unaddressed co-occurring disorders can fuel a destructive cycle, swiftly leading to escalated alcohol and drug misuse.

Treating both conditions at one facility can lower the risk of relapse and enhance quality of life post-treatment. This approach can help in managing both conditions effectively. It can also lead to better outcomes for patients. By receiving treatment for both conditions in one place, people can experience improved overall well-being.

What Are Co-Occurring Disorders?

When someone has a substance use disorder and a mental illness at the same time, it is called a co-occurring disorder. This means they are dealing with both issues simultaneously. Addressing both conditions and identifying both disorders coexisting is a dual diagnosis. Treatment for dual diagnosis is essential for a full recovery from alcohol and drug abuse.

Sometimes, a person may have mental health problems before they start using drugs or alcohol. In other cases, the addiction may have caused the mental health issues. Whichever the case, these intertwined co-occurring disorders necessitate a cohesive treatment strategy.

In 2019, a Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, or SAMHSA-conducted survey revealed that 9.5 million American adults were concurrently dealing with mental health concerns and substance use issues.

Disturbingly, the NIDA, or the National Institute on Drug Abuse, discovered that only 9.1% of those with co-occurring disorders obtained complete treatment that tackled both their substance abuse and mental health issues.

Dual Diagnosis Examples

A dual diagnosis program is crucial for developing an effective long-term treatment plan and recovery strategy. Mental health conditions and substance abuse disorders can often manifest with overlapping symptoms concurrently.

Among the frequently observed disorders that accompany substance use disorder, as identified by dual diagnosis, include:

Depression – Depression often occurs alongside anxiety. Sadly, using drugs or alcohol to self-medicate can deepen depression after the effects of these substances fade.

Bipolar Disorder – Significant mood changes define bipolar disorder. Nearly half of those diagnosed with bipolar disorder face challenges with drug addiction or alcohol misuse. People with bipolar disorder often turn to stimulants and depressants in equal amounts to help regulate their mood swings.

General Anxiety Disorder (GAD) – General anxiety disorder (GAD) involves episodes where anxiety causes the mind, and sometimes the heart, to race uncontrollably. This often drives individuals to consume alcohol or other depressants to soothe themselves. Additionally, prescription medications for anxiety are known to have a high potential for addiction.

Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) – Individuals with ADHD frequently report dependencies on stimulants, including prescribed medications, to control their symptoms.

Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) – PTSD is a condition where symptoms differ from person to person, depending on the trauma they went through. Triggers for these symptoms also vary significantly. People with PTSD often use drugs or alcohol to reduce their symptoms and briefly avoid their traumatic memories.

Eating Disorders – Eating disorders encompass a broad spectrum of diagnoses. Often, individuals with eating disorders also experience a variety of coexisting mental health issues, along with substance use disorders. People with eating disorders frequently turn to stimulants that curb hunger and boost energy to help burn calories.

Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) – People with OCD often use self-medication as a way to deal with their anxiety, depression, overwhelming compulsions, and intrusive thoughts.

Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD) – BPD and bipolar disorder often occur together, with BPD characterized by severe emotional fluctuations. Individuals with BPD commonly turn to substances to manage these intense mood changes.

Schizophrenia – The intensity and symptoms of schizophrenia can differ widely, sometimes mirroring symptoms associated with chronic substance addiction, such as paranoia and hallucinations. Substance use tends to exacerbate the symptoms of schizophrenia, worsening the condition.

Dual Diagnosis Assessment

Identifying co-occurring disorders involves the use of recognized assessment tools for diagnosing mental health and personality disorders.

The American Psychiatric Association (APA) published the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM), a key tool for healthcare providers to identify mental and substance abuse disorders.

Guided by the National Institutes of Health (NIH), specialists work together to develop standardized definitions and criteria, guaranteeing uniform and dependable diagnoses and treatments. In its fifth edition, this manual undergoes periodic updates to incorporate the most recent scientific discoveries.

The current DSM-5 does not have a specific model for dual diagnosis. However, there is a growing demand for it to be included. More people are requesting the inclusion of a specific model for dual diagnosis in the DSM-5.

The DSM-5 recognizes alcohol-induced mental disorders, which are mental health symptoms that occur during severe intoxication or withdrawal.

People need to be clear-headed during screenings for co-occurring disorders. This helps in accurately telling apart the symptoms of substance use disorders and mental health disorders.

Key questions that could reveal indicators of a dual diagnosis or co-occurring disorder include:

• Do you notice an increase in your drug or alcohol consumption when anxiety or depression intensifies?
• Is controlling your emotions difficult for you without the help of drugs or alcohol?
• Do you have any knowledge of mental health issues in your family history?
• Have you turned to drugs or alcohol to cope with distressing situations or memories?
• In case you have undergone addiction treatment before, do you believe mental health issues contributed to a relapse?
• Are you steering clear of activities or hobbies you once enjoyed?
• Have you noticed yourself acting on impulse or behaving in ways that are not typical?

Dual Diagnosis Treatment at White Oak Recovery Center

Treatment for co-occurring disorders, also called integrated treatment, addresses both diagnoses simultaneously. This approach is comprehensive and aims to treat both conditions effectively. Addressing both disorders simultaneously is important to achieve the best outcomes. Integrated treatment is a holistic approach that considers the interconnected nature of mental health and substance use disorders.

Integrated treatment helps individuals with mental health problems and substance use issues. It provides them with the necessary tools to manage each condition separately. This approach is beneficial because it addresses both issues simultaneously. By looking at each issue separately, people can improve their understanding and management of mental health and substance abuse problems.

This approach merges various behavioral therapies, support groups, individual counseling, and medication-assisted treatments to form a cohesive treatment plan.

At White Oak Recovery Center, we understand that mental health and substance use disorders are closely linked. Our licensed and experienced team uses evidence-based strategies to create a tailored plan addressing the root and underlying cause of your addiction.

White Oak Recovery Center provides a comprehensive dual-diagnosis treatment program at an accredited residential facility in Los Angeles, offering intensive, integrated care. Our multidisciplinary approach includes medication-assisted treatment, cognitive behavioral therapy, and support groups such as 12-step programs.

After leaving our center, you will have the tools to continue your recovery journey and overcome old habits.

Reach out to our compassionate admissions team with any inquiries or concerns. They are eager to help you begin a new life rooted in recovery.