Dual diagnosis is one of the most widely misunderstood health conditions of our time.
Millions of people live with a mental health condition and a substance use disorder at the same time. But here’s the thing…
In most cases, they don’t even realize they have a dual diagnosis. All they know is that something is off.
Want to learn more?
Here’s the inside scoop on everything related to dual diagnosis:
- What exactly dual diagnosis is
- Why traditional treatment doesn’t work
- The dual diagnosis statistics you need to know
- How to find and access proper treatment
- The signs you or someone you care about has a dual diagnosis
Dual Diagnosis: The Hidden Link Between Mental Illness and Addiction
Are you ready to have your mind blown?
Approximately half of all people with a substance use disorder will also have a mental health disorder at some point in their lifetime. That’s half of all people with addiction.
But it gets even worse.
For those who have both disorders at the same time, the symptoms and effects of each condition exacerbate the other. Depression can lead to drinking. Drinking worsens depression. It’s a downward spiral that can be nearly impossible to climb out of without professional intervention.
The problem is this:
Traditional programs focus on one condition or the other. They can treat the addiction or they can treat the mental health issue, but they are never both at the same time. This leaves people trapped in the cycle of going from one facility to another, all of which are unable to provide treatment for the whole condition.
That’s why it is so important to find a dual diagnosis treatment center in Virginia or near you that specializes in treating dual diagnosis conditions. Integrated treatment that approaches both issues at the same time and at the same place is the only real way to get better.
What Is a Dual Diagnosis?
Dual diagnosis, also referred to as co-occurring disorders, is when someone has both a mental health condition and a substance use disorder.
The various combinations are nearly endless, with some of the more common examples including:
- Depression and alcohol addiction
- Anxiety and prescription drug abuse
- Bipolar disorder and cocaine use
- PTSD and opioid dependence
- Schizophrenia and marijuana use
The two conditions did not cause one another. They just exist together at the same time. But that does make treatment more complicated.
Let’s use depression as an example.
If a person has depression and they turn to alcohol to self-medicate, the drinking might make them feel better temporarily. But over time, it actually contributes to worsening depression. The chemical imbalances in the brain are thrown off. Relationships suffer. Work performance suffers. Life starts to feel hopeless. And they get trapped in that cycle.
Dual Diagnosis Stats Tell a Harsh Reality
Let’s take a look at just how many people are living with a dual diagnosis:
In 2023, an estimated 20.4 million adults in the U.S. have a dual diagnosis. This is more than the entire population of New York State.
And here’s where things get even more sobering:
More than 50% of people with a dual diagnosis receive no treatment for either condition. Zero. Nada. Zilch.
And that includes not getting treatment for substance use disorder or addiction as well as mental health disorders.
On top of that, 25.8% of people with a psychiatric disorder also meet the diagnostic criteria for substance use disorder. Among those with substance use disorders, that number rises to 36.5%.
These numbers are not just statistics. They represent real people living real lives every day, struggling every day without the treatment that they so desperately need.
Treating Dual Diagnosis Looks Completely Different
Treating a dual diagnosis condition is not like treating one or the other.
Here’s why:
Traditional rehabs only care about getting a person sober. They don’t necessarily have the psychiatric experience and facilities required to treat mental health conditions such as anxiety or bipolar disorder.
Conversely, mental health clinics are focused on the depression or anxiety, but they might not have the tools and experience needed to help with an addiction.
This leaves a giant gaping hole in care. And the people who have a dual diagnosis fall right through it.
Treating a dual diagnosis condition properly requires:
- Mental health professionals and addiction specialists working together
- Medication management for both the addiction and the mental health condition when needed
- Therapy to work on the relationship between the two disorders
- Long term support and relapse prevention
- A focus on treating the entire person and not just their symptoms
The goal is not just sobriety, but complete and long lasting recovery that addresses both conditions.
Spotting the Signs of Dual Diagnosis
Wondering how you know if someone has a dual diagnosis?
Look for some of the following signs:
Mental Health Signs:
- Extreme mood swings or prolonged periods of depression
- Inability to focus or make decisions
- Social withdrawal and lack of interest in activities
- Changes in sleep and appetite
- Thoughts of suicide or self harm
Substance Use Signs:
- Using alcohol or drugs as a coping mechanism for negative emotions
- Needing to drink or take more substances to get the same effect
- Repeated unsuccessful attempts to cut back or quit drinking or using
- Continuing to drink or use despite negative consequences
- Experiencing withdrawal symptoms when attempting to stop
If you start to see a combination of these symptoms, there’s a good chance that a dual diagnosis condition is present.
The sooner someone gets help, the easier recovery will be. Don’t wait for it to get to a crisis point.
Seeking the Proper Program for Dual Diagnosis
Not all treatment programs are created equally when it comes to dual diagnosis.
Here are some important questions to consider:
First, does the program offer integrated treatment? Meaning, do mental health and addiction professionals work together on your care plan? Do they communicate and coordinate with each other? Do they understand and account for the interaction between the two conditions?
Second, is the treatment individualized? There is no cookie cutter approach to dual diagnosis. The program needs to be able to tailor treatment to your unique combination of disorders, history, and personal needs.
Third, do they offer evidence based therapies and modalities? These can include:
- Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT)
- Dialectical behavioral therapy (DBT)
- Medication assisted treatment when appropriate
- Group therapy with other people who are facing the same challenges
- Family therapy and reconnection with support systems
Recovery from a dual diagnosis condition is not a straight line. It takes work and dedication. A good program will help you build the tools and support network you need to stay in recovery for the long haul.
Moving Forward With Dual Diagnosis
Living with a dual diagnosis condition is overwhelming. It feels like a battle on two fronts.
Treatment is possible. In fact, when integrated treatment is employed (meaning both conditions are treated together), people have far better outcomes than when one or the other is treated alone.
The first step is recognizing that a dual diagnosis condition needs specialized care. And not all treatment centers are equipped to deal with co-occurring disorders.
Do your research. Find a program that truly offers integrated treatment at the same time and at the same place, by professionals who understand the relationship between the two.
This is the bottom line
Dual diagnosis conditions are much more common than you may realize, yet more than half of those who have a dual diagnosis will never receive treatment for either condition. This is partially because the two are so closely linked.
The relationship between mental health disorders and substance use disorders is complicated, but not impossible to treat. In fact, treatment is only possible when both conditions are treated in the same way at the same place by professionals that have experience in treating both.
If you or a loved one are living with both a mental health condition and a substance use disorder, don’t suffer any longer. Call a specialized dual diagnosis treatment program and get the help you need.
The right support can be the difference between staying stuck in a vicious cycle and breaking free for good.
Recovery is possible. But it starts with a true understanding that both conditions need to be treated at the same time.