Dual diagnosis, also known as co-occurring disorder, is the result of an addiction to drugs or alcohol presenting at the same time as a mental health disorder.
Research indicates that the most effective co-occurring disorder treatment involves targeting both conditions simultaneously.
Learn about the most common dual diagnoses and discover how to connect with the best dual diagnosis treatment centers California like Gratitude Lodge.
When addiction and mental health disorders manifest simultaneously, this is known as a co-occurring disorder. A co-occurring disorder is often referred to as a dual diagnosis.
The most diagnosed dual diagnosis mental health conditions in the context of co-occurring disorder are:
- Anxiety disorders
- Major depressive disorder
- PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder)
- Bipolar disorder
- Schizophrenia
In the event of co-occurring disorder, either the mental health disorder or the substance use disorder may develop first.
While co-occurring disorders can be aggravating and disruptive to daily functioning, the coordinated treatment of both conditions with personalized and evidence-based treatment typically delivers favorable outcomes.
The most common cases of dual diagnosis involve alcoholism or drug addiction presenting with one of the following:
- Anxiety
- Depression
- PTSD
Successful treatment of co-occurring disorders depends on a precise diagnosis. Many individuals with dual diagnosis prove to be treatment-resistant, so it may be necessary to try more than one combination of therapies.
Despite the closely interrelated nature of substance abuse and mental health issues, one condition does not necessarily cause the other.
Many people resort to substance abuse as a means of self-medicating the disturbing untreated symptoms of an undiagnosed mental health disorder. Although self-medication can provide fleeting respite, symptoms will normally worsen over time.
Abusing alcohol, prescription medications, or illegal drugs can heighten your risk of developing a mental health condition. Additionally, substance abuse can exacerbate the symptoms of existing mental health disorders. Both alcohol and drugs can trigger adverse interactions with a variety of medications, including antidepressants and anti-psychotics.
What is a co-occurring disorder, precisely?
Co-occurring disorders
The symptoms associated with co-occurring disorders will vary depending on the addiction and the mental health condition.
The clinical descriptor for addiction is substance use disorder, diagnosed according to the following symptoms listed in DSM-5-TR, a benchmark diagnostic tool published by APA (American Psychiatric Association):
- Do you need to take more of the substance or more frequent doses to achieve the same effects?
- Have you tried more than once to moderate or discontinue substance use?
- Are you spending large chunks of time obtaining and using addictive substances, as well as recovering from the effects of substance abuse?
- Have you ever experienced cravings for the substance so intense you could concentrate on nothing else?
- Is substance use preventing you from fulfilling your personal and professional obligations?
- Do you spend less time doing things you once enjoyed due to substance use?
- Are you still using substances even though substance use is creating problems in your closest relationships?
- Have you often taken substances for longer than planned or in greater quantities than intended?
- Have you experienced withdrawal symptoms when the effects of the substance wear off?
- Do you continue to use substances even though substance use has caused or worsened a physical or mental health condition?
- Have you frequently used addictive substances in situations where it is dangerous to do so?
Substance use disorder is classified according to the number of symptoms that present as mild (2 or 3), moderate (4 or 5), or severe (6 or more).
The other symptoms that present will vary depending on the mental health component of the dual diagnosis.
Common Co-Occurring Disorders
Here are the three most common examples of mental health conditions co-occurring with addictions, along with the likely symptoms of each condition:
- Addiction and anxiety
- Addiction and depression
- Addiction and PTSD
