Why Dual Diagnosis Treatment is Essential

Did you know that about 50% of people with severe mental health disorders are also affected by substance abuse? There is no denying the link between mental health issues and substance use disorders. Roughly 20 million Americans battled a substance use disorder for either drugs or alcohol. That means that nearly 10 million of these instances involved a co-occurring mental health problem.

Dual diagnosis refers to a person who has both an alcohol or drug use disorder and an emotional or psychiatric problem. In both instances, epidemiological data support the idea that systemic social injustice accelerates a problem. For instance, people with mental health disorders who receive a dual diagnosis tend to experience significant social disadvantages or have been exposed to adverse situations involving violence, housing instability, police trouble, and time in the prison system. People who were identified with a substance use disorder before a co-occurring psychological program tend to come from poverty, or have witnessed traumatic events during childhood, endured sexual abuse, attempted suicide, or lack social support.

This may beg the question, which diagnosis comes first? A dual diagnosis accounts for both addiction issues and mental health disorders – in no order. This combination of diagnoses acknowledges the many shared risk factors that are known to contribute to each issue and take into account the reality that symptoms of both disorders can overlap.

Addiction recovery is a significant, challenging process – it requires complete commitment, the will to recover, the support of family and friends, and in many cases, medical or mental health intervention. Fewer than 10% of Americans suffering from a substance user disorder receive the care they need to recover and fully regain their lives.?Substance use disorders are especially harmful for young people, for whom experimentation or social substance use can quickly escalate to addictive behavior. Teens’ brains and bodies are still in development, and alcohol and drugs have negative effects on teens’ growth and brain function. If drug use starts early, teens are more likely to experience severe health issues during adulthood. Heart disease, high blood pressure, sleep disorders, and a higher risk of being a long-term addict are just some of the risks teens face.?

The prevalence of co-occurring substance use disorders and mental health problems in people of all ages is staggering, yet treatment and recovery are both achievable and necessary. Dual diagnosis considers the treatment pathways for a client’s mental health disorder and substance use issues at the same time. A therapist and qualified healthcare practitioner can help clients understand how one issue contributes to the other, and what sorts of methods will best support their full recovery. Detoxification and close monitoring is often a first start. Medications, one-on-one therapy, group therapy, and a plan of action for ongoing support are all effective dual-diagnosis treatment methods – but every client’s experience will be slightly different. The more tailored the treatment, the more likely it will succeed. ?

Through our Community-Based Services, Maryvale takes a holistic approach to mental health care. We work with our network of partners – many of whom specialize in addiction and substance use issues – to create individualized treatment plans for individuals, groups, and families.?