• Video sessions now available

    Celebrating 11 Years of Service!


  • Schedule Your Appointment Now

    Call or Email us Today!
    intake@thewellcounselinggroup.com
    317-471-8996


    Emotional Checkup
  • The Well Counseling & Consulting

    • Home
    • Meet Our Counselors
      • Yameen Chestnut
      • Adriaka Tina Jackson
      • Dr. Denita Hudson
      • Quamina Carter
      • Angela L Reese
      • Elizabeth White
      • Dr. Natalie Zolicoffer
      • LaDonna Wattley
      • Dr. Denise Hayes
      • Brittany Baker
      • Dachele Dycus
      • The Well Counseling Group
    • Our Consultants
      • Calvalyn Day
      • Reginald White
      • Elizabeth White
    • Resources
      • Drag’em Kicking and Screaming book
      • The Anxious Soul Book
    • Counseling Blog
    • In The News
    • Careers
    • Contact

    What is a Dual Diagnosis?

    October 30, 2022

    There are times when a person is diagnosed with a mental health issue, such as depression or anxiety. Other times, someone might be diagnosed as having a substance abuse issue. When someone has both a mental health issue and a substance abuse issue, we call it a dual diagnosis.

    How Does Dual Diagnosis Develop?

    Often, addictive behaviors are a result of someone trying to cope with their mental health issues. In fact, according to the Journal of the American Medical Association, roughly 53% of individuals with drug addiction and 35% with an addiction to alcohol

    meet the requirements for a mental health diagnosis. These numbers tell the story of the strong correlation between mental health and addiction. 

    The following are some of the mental health issues that often occur alongside addiction:

    • Schizophrenia
    • Depression
    • Anxiety
    • Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD)
    • Bipolar Disorder
    • Posttraumatic stress (PTSD)
    • Eating Disorders

    It’s important to note that while these mental health issues are often associated with substance abuse, they do not always present alongside drug and alcohol addiction.

    Treatment for Dual Diagnosis

    Dual diagnosis cases are very complex in nature and require different treatment styles. Typically speaking, there are four types of treatment:

    Partial Treatment

    This model refers to treating the primary mental health issue alone, but not the concurring substance abuse concerns.

    Sequential Treatment

    This approach treats the mental health issue first, then addresses the addiction after.

    Parallel Treatment 

    This treatment focuses on addressing both the mental health concern and addiction at the same time, though separately and using different care providers.

    Integrated Treatment

    As the name suggests, this model has the individual receiving mental health and addiction treatment concurrently, under a unified and robust treatment program. This program can be in an outpatient setting or in a rehab facility.

    It can be very difficult for the person struggling with a substance abuse issue and mental health issue, or their family members, to determine the best course of treatment. It is recommended that you initially work with a licensed therapist who can accurately diagnose you and recommend the right course of treatment.

    If you’d like to speak with someone, please get in touch with me. I’d be more than happy to discuss how I can help your journey back to health and well-being.

    SOURCES:

    • https://www.goodtherapy.org/learn-about-therapy/issues/dual-diagnosis
    • https://www.addictioncenter.com/addiction/dual-diagnosis/
    • https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/the-anatomy-addiction/201110/what-is-dual-diagnosis
    • Author
    • Recent Posts
    Elizabeth White
    Latest posts by Elizabeth White (see all)
    • Why Therapy for Caretakers is More Important Than Ever - February 9, 2023
    • Signs you Need to Take a Mental Health Day - February 7, 2023
    • The Traumatic Impact of Divorce on Adult Children - December 1, 2022

    Share this:

    • Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)
    • Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)

    Related

    Share on Facebook Share
    Share on TwitterTweet
    Share on Pinterest Share
    Share on LinkedIn Share
    Share on Digg Share
    Send email Mail

    Filed Under: Addiction, mental health

    Blog Categories

    The Well Counseling & Consulting Group

    The Pyramids
    Pyramid 1, 5th Floor
    3500 DePauw Blvd.
    Suite 1050
    Indianapolis, IN 46268

    317-471-8996
    intake@thewellcounselinggroup.com

    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Twitter


    Elizabeth White, MA, LMHC, LCAC verified by GoodTherapy.org

    Contact Us Today

    By submitting this form via this web portal, you acknowledge and accept the risks of communicating your health information via this unencrypted email and electronic messaging and wish to continue despite those risks. By clicking "Yes, I want to submit this form" you agree to hold Brighter Vision harmless for unauthorized use, disclosure, or access of your protected health information sent via this electronic means.
    The Well Counseling & Consulting Group
    intake@thewellcounselinggroup.com | 317-471-8996
    A Website by Brighter Vision | Privacy Policy