Dual Diagnosis Treatment

Dual diagnosis is a clinical term used to describe a condition where an individual has been diagnosed with one or more mental health conditions and a substance abuse disorder (SUD) simultaneously. 

The term “dual diagnosis” was first identified in the 1980s. Today, however, the term has been updated, and the new terminology for dual diagnosis is now “co-occurring disorders” (COD). According to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), CODs affect people of all ages from many different backgrounds, and these illnesses can be severe and recurrent.

Having co-occurring disorders is a common occurrence among people suffering from drug and alcohol use disorders. MedlinePlus states that about 50% of the people with SUD will also have a mental health disorder at some point during their lifetimes. 

This complex interplay between addiction and mental health disorders can complicate the treatment process and require a specialized approach to effectively address both aspects of the patient’s well-being. The significance of dual diagnosis lies in the fact that each condition can influence and exacerbate the other—leading to a cycle of dependency and poor mental health outcomes.  

Individuals with co-occurring disorders must receive an integrated and comprehensive dual diagnosis treatment that addresses both the addiction and the mental health disorder concurrently. This is important for the patients to have a better chance of achieving sustainable improvements, maintaining long-term sobriety, and improving their mental health and quality of life.

According to the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI), in 2019, it was estimated that approximately 9.5 million (3.8%) people experienced both a mental illness and a SUD. 

An influential factor to this lies in the possibility that individuals with a mental health disorder may turn to substances as a way to self-medicate or cope with their symptoms—leading to the development of drug or alcohol addiction. Conversely, substance use can also trigger or exacerbate symptoms of mental illness, creating a cycle of dependency and worsening mental health outcomes.

Common mental health disorders among those diagnosed with CODs include:

Individuals experiencing the above mental health disorders might often abuse substances such as:

Even though the co-occurrence of substance abuse disorder and mental health conditions is extremely common, having one of them does not automatically cause the other. However, while there is no direct link, a variety of factors may contribute to their co-occurrence and the need for dual diagnosis treatment. Among them are:

If any of these three areas leads an individual to a mental health challenge or disorder, those suffering may turn to drugs and alcohol to self-medicate. Likewise, if any one of these three areas leads to an SUD, an individual’s brain chemistry can be affected in such a way that it could lead to a mental health episode or disorder.

According to previously cited statistics by the NAMI, over 90 million adults in the U.S. have experienced mental illness. As outlined above, many of these individuals may turn to drugs or alcohol to help self-medicate.

While mental illness can present differently in each individual, the signs and symptoms that someone you know may be experiencing a mental health condition include:

If you have a mental health condition and suffer from a SUD, warning signs of this COD can include the following:

A dual diagnosis treatment center provides medical care services to meet the needs of and heal or manage the mental health disorder and the SUD, each separately but simultaneously. 

According to a SAMHSA study, dual diagnosis treatments should include essential services that are “person-centered, trauma-informed, culturally responsive, recovery-oriented, comprehensive, and continuously offered across all levels of care and disease course.”

Medication-assisted treatment (MAT) is a common pharmacotherapy treatment for dual diagnosis patients. MAT is the use of medication in conjunction with evidence-based therapies, holistic treatments, and counseling to treat substance abuse.

Research and study data regarding dual diagnosis treatment suggest that individuals suffering from the COD of mental illness and a SUD face greater consequences of drug and alcohol use. 

These consequences could include:

Dual diagnosis requires a specialized and holistic approach to effectively address both aspects concurrently. By integrating treatment modalities that cater to both the mental health condition and addiction issue, dual diagnosis treatment offers a comprehensive recovery plan that delves into the underlying causes of the co-occurring conditions. This approach enables individuals to receive personalized care that considers the interconnected nature of their mental health and addiction struggles.

One key advantage of dual diagnosis treatment is the collaboration between mental health professionals and addiction specialists to create a tailored program that draws from various therapeutic techniques. This collaborative effort often includes MAT, evidence-based therapies, experiential programming, and other holistic approaches to provide individuals with a well-rounded and effective treatment plan. 

By addressing the complexities of both mental health and addiction issues simultaneously, dual diagnosis treatment aims to not only manage symptoms but also facilitate long-term recovery and healing for individuals facing these challenges. 

At Hawaii Island Recovery, we offer evidence-based therapies as part of your recovery plan to help treat COD. We use a comprehensive approach to treat your mental health condition and SUD separately but simultaneously. 

Our therapies include:

At our Hawaii substance abuse treatment centers, we provide dual diagnosis treatments to manage and heal the co-occurring disorders of mental health and substance use disorders. If you or a loved one is suffering from a dual diagnosis, call Hawaii Island Recovery today at (888) 713-6745 to learn more.