What Is a Dual Diagnosis?

The first dual diagnosis was identified in the 1980s among individuals with co-existing substance use disorders and mental health disorders. In the field of addiction recovery, a dual diagnosis is also known as a dual disorder or co-occurring disorder. This refers to a person having both a substance use disorder and a mental health disorder. Because these two conditions can heighten or worsen each other’s symptoms, it is often difficult to diagnose which developed first or had the most impact.

According to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), around 17 million Americans experience both substance use disorder and mental health disorders simultaneously. Both conditions may seriously jeopardize a person’s normal functioning in life. If untreated, the dual diagnosis can even become life-threatening.

Symptoms of Dual Diagnosis

Depending on the substance a person is addicted to and the specific mental health disorder they are struggling with, there can be many combinations of dual diagnoses. Their symptoms can vary, but they can include some common behavioral patterns. These include:

• Dependency on drugs and alcohol to function
• Withdrawal symptoms when trying to quit
• Alienation of family and friends
• Risky behaviors
• Compulsion
• Deception and lying
• Anxiety and depression
• Sudden mood changes
• Suicidal attempts

Take alcohol addiction, for example. Common dual diagnoses include alcohol addiction and a range of co-occurring mental health disorders such as anxiety disorder, attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), depression, and schizophrenia. Because of the difficulties around detecting symptoms of these various illnesses, a dual diagnosis can be hard to pin down. It is not always clear whether a client is under the influence of substances or has a mental illness. Medical professionals need to find the root causes to treat a dual diagnosis.

Why Do Substance Use Disorder and Mental Health Disorders Co-Occur?

The causal relationship between a co-occurrence can be complicated. First, both disorders can come from shared risk factors, such as genetics, trauma, and stress. Secondly, mental health disorders can often contribute to the onset of substance use disorder because people use drugs and alcohol to self-medicate. When addictive habits form, mental health disorders may condition the brain to turn these habits into an addictive lifestyle.

The causal loop can also work the other way around. Substance use disorder may also contribute to the development of a mental illness. The former can change and rewire the neurological pathways in the human brain. Long-term and repetitive substance use can cause anxiety, depression, and stress-related environmental triggers.

Treatment After Dual Diagnosis

Someone who has been given a dual diagnosis should be treated for both conditions. For the overall treatment to be effective, one not only needs to stop using drugs and alcohol, but their mental health disorders also need to be treated. Otherwise, the presence of mental health issues can pose a high risk for relapse even after one achieves short-term sobriety.

A dual diagnosis requires a holistic or integrated treatment plan that cares for both the body and the mind. The client needs to receive care for both their substance addiction and their diagnosed mental illness. It is the mandate of a dual diagnosis that both conditions are treated simultaneously. This often involves inpatient detoxification, medications, psychotherapy, support groups, and aftercare.

It is essential to know that those with a dual diagnosis are considered high-risk clients. Because of the complexity of these conditions, it can be challenging to treat them for long-term recovery effectively. Moreover, not many treatment facilities are adequately equipped to handle clients with dual diagnoses. Effective treatment requires a facility with in-house psychiatric staff and mental health experts specializing in dual diagnosis and treatment.

The Importance of Integrated Treatment

Facilities that offer integrated treatment for dual diagnosis tend to have more extensive programs that provide various psychotherapeutic interventions. Their goal is long-term recovery, and they are open to inspiration-based treatment methods. Staff at these facilities also focus on community outreach, and they try to build a strong support system for clients.

Complex difficulties facing treating dual diagnosis clients include backsliding, hospitalization, and other co-existing diseases such as HIV or Hepatitis C. Facilities specializing in treating dual diagnoses factor these in. As a result, they often proceed at a specific rate, making programs highly individualized. Sometimes clients with a dual diagnosis also need options such as trauma-informed care and gender-specific programs.

Integrated dual diagnosis treatment often involves an interdisciplinary team, including social workers, psychotherapists, counselors, medical staff, and case managers. Each of them needs to understand what dual diagnosis means and what treatment is required. Take social workers, for example. They benefit from understanding how comorbidity increases the severity of all conditions and aim for better intervention.

If you or a loved one struggles with both a substance use disorder and a mental health disorder, it is best to seek professional help that treats both conditions simultaneously. Because these two conditions can heighten or worsen each other’s symptoms, it is often difficult to diagnose which developed first or had the most impact. At Capo Canyon Recovery, we have experience treating dual diagnoses and designing treatment plans around them. Near Mission Viejo, CA, our treatment center is a complete medical facility. You can benefit from our inpatient residential care and outpatient long-term care programs. We also provide a comfortable environment to facilitate clients’ recovery. With an in-house chef, luxurious beds, and an onsite organic garden, we’re here to help you no matter what kind of dual diagnosis you may be struggling with. You do not need to struggle alone. For more information on our program, call Capo Canyon Recovery today at (800) 804-8714.