Benefits of Dual Diagnosis Treatment
Substance use disorder isn’t just a struggle with addiction to
Dual diagnosis treatment is an integrated, coordinated approach to substance abuse and behavioral health interventions for individuals with co-occurring disorders. This means that multidisciplinary teams of clinicians are working together under one roof to provide client-centered, seamless services ranging from holistic therapy to social skills training with a consistent approach.
Dual diagnosis is a relatively new term to describe an individual with a drug dependency and an underlying behavioral health disorder.
According to a study funded by the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA), about 23 million Americans suffer from some form of a co-occurring disorder associated with a substance use disorder (National Institutes of Health, 2015). These comorbid disorders are considered dual-diagnosis disorders, and the survey reveals that most of these disorders are left untreated.
People with mental illnesses are twice as likely as the rest of the population to engage in substance abuse. At the same time, people who struggle with substance abuse are also more likely to develop a mental illness or behavioral disorder. It’s an accepted fact that mental illness can lead to substance abuse and that addiction can cause other mental illnesses.
Dual diagnosis is far more common now than it used to be. At one point, mental illness and addiction would be treated as separate conditions. A person with depression or bipolar disorder would be referred to a behavioral health facility.
Someone addicted to alcohol or drugs would be referred to an addiction rehab center. The problem with this approach is both conditions often did not receive adequate treatment.
For example, a patient in rehab might be discharged for not responding to treatment due to their mental disorder. Meanwhile, a person in a behavioral health facility might be prescribed medication to treat their disorder, but their addiction to drugs or alcohol ends up interfering.
The National Survey on Drug Use and Health has found that 45% of people in the United States have a dual diagnosis for co-occurring addiction and mental illness. People who have mental illnesses are twice as likely as the rest of the population to engage in substance abuse. At the same time, people who struggle with substance abuse are also more likely to develop a mental illness or behavioral disorder. It’s an accepted fact that mental illness can lead to substance abuse, and that addiction can cause other mental illnesses.
Dual diagnosis is far more common now than it used to be. At one point, mental illness and addiction would be treated as separate conditions. A person with depression or bipolar disorder would be referred to a behavioral health facility. Someone addicted to alcohol or drugs would be referred to an addiction rehab center. The problem with this approach is both conditions often did not receive adequate treatment.
For example, a patient in addiction rehab might be discharged as not responding to treatment due to their mental disorder. Meanwhile, a person in a behavioral health facility might be prescribed medication to treat their disorder, but their addiction to drugs or alcohol ends up interfering.
It’s easy to see why both conditions are now treated at the same time as co-occurring disorders at most addiction treatment centers.
A common question for dual diagnosis treatment is: Which one of the co-occurring disorders should be treated first? Addiction is a mental illness, but often the underlying causes of it are due to another behavioral health issue. Many people with undiagnosed behavioral health issues turn to substance abuse as a form of self-medication. The substance abuse eventually leads to addiction.
For example, someone with anger issues or high anxiety might decide to use opiates as they have a calming and sedative effect. Someone with depression might choose stimulant drugs like cocaine or amphetamines in order to feel more energetic and alive. These people might feel like they’re helping themselves by countering their symptoms. Unfortunately, drug abuse or alcohol abuse eventually makes these symptoms worse.
Behavioral Health and addiction are ultimately two sides of the same coin. Integrative therapy after a dual diagnosis means that behavioral health is addressed during and after physical treatments for substance abuse, such as detox. Even when a person’s body is freed of the addictive substance, the underlying reasons for the addiction still remain. If the underlying reasons include undiagnosed mental illness, then that is the next step of behavioral health treatment.
Sometimes people become addicted to drugs or alcohol without prior mental illness, but they may still need therapy to address the trauma or stress that led them to substance abuse.
A dual diagnosis has to be done by a professional. However, here are some signs of subsAt dual diagnosis treatment centers like New Method Wellness, individuals with substance use disorders receive client-centered integrated treatment in the context of their co-occurring behavioral health disorder. Listed below are some common treatment approaches used for various comorbidities:tance abuse:
Dual diagnosis treatment has a myriad of benefits. When both comorbid disorders are taken into account, this treatment model reduces the likelihood of homelessness, suicide, premature death and incarceration (SAMHSA, 2016). Not only does it reduce negative consequences of under-treated disorders, it also lowers the cost of treatment and optimizes outcomes. A team of interdisciplinary licensed professionals often work together to assist clients in recovery. Addiction therapists work with social workers who are often on the front lines working with persons suffering from substance use disorders. Through a collaborative network, social workers refer clients to the best dual diagnosis treatment centers for further treatment. (3)
(1) Center for Substance Abuse Treatment. Medication-Assisted Treatment for Opioid Addiction in Opioid Treatment Programs. Rockville (MD): Substance Abuse and Behavioral Health Services Administration (US); 2005. (Treatment Improvement Protocol (TIP) Series, No. 43.) Chapter 12. Treatment of Co-Occurring Disorders. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/
(2) Minkoff, Kenneth (2006). An Integrated Treatment Model for Dual Diagnosis of Psychosis and Addiction. Psychiatric Services https://doi.org/
(3) Kelly, TM & Daley DC (2013) Integrated Treatment of Substance Use and Psychiatric Disorders. Soc Work Public Health. 2013; 28(0): 388–406. doi: 10.1080/19371918.2013.774673
Substance use disorder isn’t just a struggle with addiction to
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