It is very common to face challenges with mental health and addiction at the same time. Known as a dual diagnosis or a co-occurring condition, 21.2 million people were reported to have a co-occurring mental health and substance use disorder last year.

Mental health distress can prompt drug and alcohol use as an escape from uncomfortable thoughts, feelings, emotions, and situations. However, substances actually increase the symptoms of depression, anxiety, PTSD, and many other mental health conditions.

That’s why it’s important to address the underlying issues that trigger substance use and lead to addiction. Seeking support from qualified professionals who understand how to treat co-occurring disorders is the first step to healing.

Learning the signs of mental health issues and addiction is essential to knowing when it’s time to get help with Discovery Addiction Services.

What is Dual Diagnosis?

Dual diagnosis is also called a co-occurring disorder. It is the simultaneous occurrence of two or more mental health and substance use disorders.

Mental Health Disorders

Mental health disorders include:

• Major depressive disorder (MDD)
• Generalized anxiety disorder (GAD)
• Panic disorder
• Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
• Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD)
• Attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)
• Bipolar disorder
• Schizophrenia
• Borderline personality disorder (BPD)  
• Dissociative disorders 

The symptoms of these conditions make it challenging to navigate daily life. Intrusive thoughts, flashbacks, social anxiety, loneliness, sadness, isolation, nerves, exhaustion, trouble focusing, and difficulty regulating mood are just a few of the symptoms people experience that interfere with their interactions with friends, family, coworkers, schoolmates, and even strangers.

Substance Use Disorders

Substance use disorders (also known as addiction) include an unhealthy reliance on depressants, stimulants or hallucinogens.

Depressants

Depressants slow down the central nervous system and provide a temporary calming effect. Depressants include alcohol, marijuana, benzodiazepines (like Valium and Xanax), opioid painkillers (like Oxycodone and fentanyl),barbiturates like phenobarbital, and Z-drugs like Ambien.

Stimulants

Stimulants speed up the central nervous system’s functioning, which encourages faster processing and sharper focus.

Stimulants are commonly prescribed for narcolepsy and ADHD,like Ritalin and Adderall. Illicit stimulants include methamphetamine, cocaine and MDMA.

Hallucinogens

Hallucinogens affect the way we perceive the world, often causing hallucinations. Examples include magic mushrooms, peyote, ayahuasca, and LSD.

The symptoms of addiction are harmfull to the daily lives of those who are affected.

Why Do Substance Use and Mental Health Disorders Co-occur?

Substance use often comes into play as a coping mechanism for internal strife and external conflict. Although it might be occasional at first, experimenting with drugs or alcohol can lead to a substance use disorder. The more often someone engages in substance use, the more likely it is that a physical dependency will develop.

When the body has physical cravings, it has become dependent on a substance to function a certain way. So dependent, in fact, that the withdrawal process can begin. Withdrawal symptoms range from moderate and flulike to severe and even deadly. Naturally, the body wants to avoid the discomfort caused by withdrawal, so it encourages substance consumption as the solution. This can make quitting very difficult to do without professional help, especially when mental health issues intervene.

This is when addiction develops. Addiction involves a psychological component in addition to having a physical dependency on a substance. The mind responds to environmental triggers by reaching for substances to “solve” the problem created by the trigger. Being unable to stop substance consumption despite negative consequences means an addiction is present.

Discovery Addiction Services offer a stable environment to heal from trauma, detox the body and break the cycle of substance abuse.

What are the Symptoms of Dual Diagnosis?

Trouble with relationships, jobs, home life, school, sports and general performance are common life circumstances that evolve from untreated dual diagnosis. Increased feelings of sadness, hopelessness and loneliness are brought on by repeated substance use and add to existing mental health issues. Other symptoms of co-occurring disorders include:

• Panic attacks
• Paranoia
• Sleep disturbances
• Hallucinations
• Inflammation
• Chronic pain
• Dehydration
• Irritability
• Mood instability
• Noticeable weight loss or gain
• Suicidal ideations
• Thoughts of harming others

Dual Diagnosis Treatment Options

Mental health and substance use disorders should be diagnosed by experienced health professionals. Treatment should be equal for both categories of disorders, with more emphasis not being placed on one over the other. Since they occur together, it is best for mental health and addiction symptoms to be addressed at the same time.

At Discovery Addiction Services, our individualized treatment plansinclude:

• Drug detox
• Talk therapy
• Motivational interviewing
• Group therapy
• Family therapy
• Holistic therapies

We assist patients with self-discovery, empowering them to develop strong coping skills that are substance-free and reliable in the real world. Discovery provides a supportive, nonjudgemental environment where lasting relationships can be made.

Help is Always Available

If you or someone close to you are experiencing any of the above signs of co-occurring disorders, please don’t hesitate to reach out to one of our caring counselors today. Together, we can find the best path to healing with Discovery Addiction Services.

Get started today to learn more.