Addiction and Mental Health: Why Dual Diagnosis Treatment Is So Important
Mental health and substance use disorders often go hand in hand. In fact, nearly half of people with a substance use disorder also experience a mental health condition, according to the National Institute on Drug Abuse.
What Is Dual Diagnosis?
Dual diagnosis refers to individuals who have both a mental health condition—like anxiety, depression, PTSD, or bipolar disorder—and a substance use disorder. One issue often fuels the other.
Why It Matters
Treating addiction without addressing the underlying mental health issue can lead to relapse. For example, someone might stop drinking but still struggle with panic attacks, making sobriety unsustainable without additional support.
Integrated Treatment
A dual diagnosis therapist will:
Treat both conditions together, not separately
Use evidence-based approaches like CBT, DBT, EMDR, and medication management when needed
Create a holistic recovery plan
Signs You Might Have a Dual Diagnosis
You use substances to manage mental health symptoms
You’ve been diagnosed with depression, anxiety, or PTSD
You’ve relapsed multiple times despite wanting to quit
You deserve comprehensive care that sees the full picture. Dual diagnosis treatment isn’t just helpful—it’s often essential to recovery.
