Dual Diagnosis

What Is A Dual Diagnosis?

Many people diagnosed with a substance use disorder (SUD) also suffer from a co-occurring mental or behavioral condition. This is known as a dual diagnosis. Individuals with a dual diagnosis require an integrated treatment plan that addresses both disorders as interconnected issues. According to the National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH), 45% of people with addiction have a co-occurring mental health disorder.

By seeking treatment for addiction and co-occurring behavioral and mental health disorders, you can work on successfully attaining the fulfilling and healthy life you deserve.

Dual Diagnosis

A dual diagnosis is when someone has both an addiction and a mental health condition. Sometimes, the addiction part is addressed while the mental health condition goes without treatment. Dr. Ashish Bhatt explains the importance of accurately diagnosing and treating patients with a dual diagnosis.

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Common Mental Health Issues And Addiction

There are a few disorders that repeatedly present alongside addiction. Oftentimes, these disorders are the underlying cause of an addiction. That’s why it’s important to never ignore the symptoms of a mental health condition or behavioral disorder when it comes to a person’s long-term addiction recovery plan.

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Common mental health disorders linked to substance abuse include the following:

• Attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)

  People with attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) may be more inclined to abuse substances as a way to cope with their symptoms. Many people are prescribed Stimulants to treat their ADHD, which can be habit-forming and lead to a toxic pattern of substance abuse.

• Bipolar disorder

  About half of the people with bipolar disorder also struggle with addiction. As with any other disorder, it can be tempting to self-medicate. Drugs and alcohol provide a source of temporary relief from emotional situations and manic episodes for people with bipolar.

• Borderline personality disorder

  Studies have shown that addiction and borderline personality disorder (BPD) often occur together. Over two-thirds of people with BPD have abused substances at some point in their lives.

• Depression

  An estimated 1 in 10 adults in the United States has reported suffering from depression. Many people diagnosed with depression try to self-medicate with drugs or alcohol. This often makes the problem worse. The crash after the high can be devastating for those with a pre-existing depressive condition.

• Eating disorders

  Eating disorders often stem from strong feelings of inferiority. The use of drugs that suppress appetite is especially common among people with these disorders.

• Generalized anxiety disorder (GAD)

  The most common mental health condition in the US, generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) affects 18% of the adult population. People who suffer from GAD may be more likely to abuse drugs and alcohol to manage their symptoms. People may also abuse Benzodiazepines, which are highly addictive prescription medications used to treat anxiety disorders.

• Obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD)

  Obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD) causes a number of unwanted obsessions and compulsions, such as an irrational fear of germs and the need to constantly clean. There are many variations of this illness. People with OCD often suffer from anxiety and depression as a result of their involuntary behavior, which can lead to substance abuse.

• Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)

  When a person develops post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), their brain produces less endorphins than a healthy brain; this makes the afflicted person more likely to turn toward alcohol or drugs to feel happy. According to the US Department of Veterans Affairs, nearly 75% of soldiers and veterans who experience a traumatic or violent event during combat report repetitive alcohol abuse.

• Schizophrenia

  Schizophrenia is characterized by hallucinations and delusional thinking. Diagnosing schizophrenia alongside an addiction can be difficult because the two conditions have overlapping effects. When a person has schizophrenia and uses substances as a way to self-medicate their condition, they risk putting their health at even greater risk.

Why Co-Occurring Disorders Are Treated Differently

According to the NSDUH, 45% of people in the United States struggle with a dual diagnosis. People diagnosed with a mental health condition are about twice as likely as the general population to suffer from an SUD. Similarly, individuals who frequently abuse drugs or alcohol are likely to develop a co-occurring behavioral or mental health disorder. While it is widely accepted that a mental health disorder can induce a substance addiction — and vice versa — researchers are uncovering what causes both conditions to occur simultaneously.

A number of overlapping factors can aggravate a mental health condition or SUD:

• Brain Responses

  Abusing drugs can elicit symptoms that mimic a mental illness. Excessive Marijuana use, for example, can give rise to psychosis in some individuals; psychosis is a severe mental disorder that causes people to lose touch with reality.

• Genetics

  A person’s genetic predisposition can make them more likely to develop an addiction or a mental disorder. Research shows that genes make up 40 to 60% of a person’s susceptibility to addiction.

• Triggers In The Environment

  Chronic stress, persistent anxiety, or a traumatic event can kickstart an addiction or mental disorder.

• Exposure At An Early Age

  People who experiment with drugs or alcohol at a young age may develop a substance abuse problem and/or mental health disorder later on. This is because adolescents and young adults are more prone to brain damage from substance use than older adults.

Warning Signs Of A Co-Occurring Disorder

The signs of a dual diagnosis vary greatly between individuals. Generally, symptoms will depend on the type of substance abused as well as the severity of the co-occurring condition.

Symptoms of a dual diagnosis include:

The Dangers Of Self-Medication

One of the most common issues surrounding dual diagnosis is self-medication. Self-medication involves using drugs or alcohol to mask the symptoms of a mental illness. However, using substances as a coping mechanism for mental or behavioral illness can induce an addiction and make the underlying condition even worse.

The following scenarios demonstrate how some people attempt to self-medicate a mental illness.

• Drinking alcohol to feel less anxious in social situations
• Taking excessive amounts of Benzodiazepines (like Xanax or Valium) to ebb an oncoming panic attack
• Using Marijuana to numb the emotional pain from trauma or grief
• Smoking or injecting Cocaine to increase energy and motivation to complete daily tasks

Sadly, resorting to substances as a way to escape a mental health condition can be a damaging decision. People struggling with a mental or behavioral illness who start abusing drugs or alcohol will consume as much as it takes to achieve the effects they want. Over time, the person will build a tolerance and need to consume more of the drug each time to achieve the same high. This is a hallmark of both dependency and addiction.

Statistics On Co-Occurring Disorders

Get Help For A Dual Diagnosis

While some individuals develop an addiction to drugs or alcohol before being diagnosed with a mental illness, others become addicted afterward. Whichever happened first, it’s paramount to find a tailored treatment plan that targets both disorders simultaneously rather than a plan that treats them separately. In the case of a dual diagnosis, the structured and safe environment of an inpatient rehab center can be extremely beneficial.

Going to inpatient rehab for a co-occurring disorder is ideal because of the high level of attention and care that patients receive. Oftentimes, people with co-occurring disorders arrive at rehab in various states of distress and poor general health. The combination of extensive substance abuse and a neglected mental condition generally requires the help of both mental health and addiction professionals.

Featured Centers Offering Dual Diagnosis Treatment

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CuraWest Detox

Denver , CO

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United Recovery Project

Hollywood , FL

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When deciding on a rehab center, choose one that specializes in you or your loved one’s type of addiction and co-occurring disorder. Doing so will ensure the most effective care as well as the greatest potential for a full recovery.

Ask the following questions to help you make an easier and more informed decision:

1. Do you offer individualized treatment plans for all residents?

2. Is therapy structured to treat a dual diagnosis?

3. Will I or my loved one be evaluated by a licensed psychiatric professional or physician before admission?

4. Are both of my disorders viewed as interconnected health issues, or are they viewed as separate illnesses?

5. If I or my loved one relapses during rehab, how would that be handled?

6. Does your facility offer aftercare referral services?

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Once you or your loved one is settled into rehab, the treatment process can begin. Rehab facilities can incorporate a number of therapies, medications, and activities that will take place throughout the course of the program. Counselors may hold group and individual therapy sessions, while residents can take advantage of any of the center’s offered activities and amenities. Discover more information on online therapy options here.

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