Living with a dual diagnosis, or co-occurring disorder, means facing both a mental health condition and a substance use disorder at the same time. These conditions are deeply interconnected—one can intensify the other, making recovery more challenging if both are not treated together.
What Is Dual Diagnosis?
A dual diagnosis, also called a co-occurring disorder, is when a person experiences both a mental health disorder and a substance use disorder at the same time. These conditions interact in complex ways, often making each one harder to treat if not addressed together.
For example, someone may use drugs or alcohol to cope with symptoms of depression or anxiety, which can worsen substance use. At the same time, substance misuse can intensify or trigger mental health symptoms.
Common examples of dual diagnosis include:
- Depression and alcohol use disorder
- Anxiety disorders and benzodiazepine misuse
- Personality disorders and substance dependence
- Schizophrenia and stimulant abuse
Because both conditions feed into one another, integrated treatment that addresses mental health and substance use simultaneously is essential for lasting recovery.
The Connection Between Substance Abuse and Mental Health
The connection between substance abuse and mental health is well known, with decisive support in the medical community. Mental health disorders such as depression, anxiety, PTSD, or bipolar disorder can increase the risk of substance misuse, as people may turn to drugs or alcohol to self-medicate painful emotions or symptoms. While this may provide short-term relief, it usually leads to worsening mental health over time.
It can also happen in reverse: substance abuse can also trigger or intensify mental health problems. Drugs and alcohol alter brain chemistry, which can increase feelings of anxiety, depression, paranoia, or mood instability. In some cases, long-term substance use may even contribute to the development of a mental health disorder.
This two-way relationship is why co-occurring disorders require specialized, integrated care. Treating only the addiction or only the mental health disorder often leaves the other condition unaddressed, making relapse more likely.
What Causes Co-Occurring Disorders?
There is no one single cause for co-occurring disorders. Instead, these conditions often develop through a mix of genetic, environmental, and personal factors. Addiction is heavily correlated to genetics but that isn’t the entire story – genes are expressed in environmental contexts.
Some of these environmental factors include:
- Family Life: Dysfunctional relationships, neglect, or lack of support can worsen both substance use and mental health symptoms.
- Chronic Stress: Prolonged stress can change brain chemistry, making someone more vulnerable to both addiction and mental illness.
- Trauma: Physical, emotional, or sexual trauma is strongly linked to the development of co-occurring disorders.
- Poverty: Limited access to resources, healthcare, and stable housing often contributes to higher rates of both substance use and mental illness.
- Grief and Loss: The death of a loved one or other significant losses may lead to both depression and self-medicating with substances.
Because these factors overlap, co-occurring disorders are complex and require a personalized, holistic treatment approach.
What Happens First: Substance Abuse or Mental Health Disorders?
In many cases, it’s difficult to disentangle the two. Co-occurring disorders can develop in either order, and each condition can intensify the other. Usually, mental health issues precede addiction — many people turn to alcohol or drugs to cope with symptoms of depression, anxiety, PTSD, or other conditions. This “self-medicating” may provide temporary relief but often worsens mental health over time.
However, it is also true that drugs and alcohol can alter brain chemistry, increasing the risk of mood disorders, anxiety, and psychosis. Long-term substance use can even trigger new mental health conditions.
This complicated relationship underscores why dual diagnosis treatment must address both issues together. By treating the whole person rather than just one condition, individuals have a better chance of achieving long-term recovery.
Who Benefits from Dual Diagnosis Treatment?
Dual diagnosis treatment is designed for people who live with both a mental health condition and a substance use disorder. These co-occurring disorders can affect anyone, but they are especially common among individuals who use drugs or alcohol to cope with emotional pain, stress, or trauma.
Those who benefit most from dual diagnosis treatment include:
- People with depression or anxiety who turn to substances for relief
- Individuals struggling with PTSD, bipolar disorder, or schizophrenia alongside addiction
- Anyone whose substance use worsens existing mental health symptoms
- People who feel stuck in a cycle of self-medication and relapse
By addressing both conditions together, dual diagnosis treatment helps individuals regain stability, build healthy coping strategies, and work toward long-term recovery.
Dual Diagnosis Treatment for Native Americans
Native Americans face unique challenges when it comes to mental health and substance use, including the impact of historical trauma, generational grief, and cultural displacement. Dual diagnosis treatment tailored for Native American communities not only provides research-based therapies but also honors cultural traditions, spirituality, and community connections.
This culturally responsive approach helps individuals heal on multiple levels—by treating the addiction and mental health condition while also strengthening cultural identity, resilience, and belonging.
Dual Diagnosis Treatment for First Responders
First responders such as firefighters, EMTs, police officers, and veterans often experience high levels of stress and repeated exposure to trauma. These pressures can lead to co-occurring disorders like PTSD, anxiety, depression, and substance misuse.
Dual diagnosis treatment for first responders focuses on trauma-informed care, peer support, and practical coping skills to manage the emotional toll of their work. By addressing both the mental health and substance use aspects, treatment empowers first responders to recover their well-being while continuing to serve their communities or transition to a healthier lifestyle.
Treatment for Dual Diagnosis
Describe dual diagnosis treatment for mental health disorders (psychiatric medication, psychological symptom management, specialized therapies, skill-building, peer support, lifestyle changes, holistic and wellness services, mental health education). Describe dual diagnosis treatment for substance abuse (detoxification, medication, withdrawal symptom management, behavioral therapies, support groups, relapse prevention planning, addiction education). Explain how integrated treatment for co-occurring disorders can improve treatment success rates and promote long-term recovery.
Medication Management for Substance Abuse and Mental Health Disorders
Describe what type of medications are offered in a dual diagnosis treatment program, how they assist in recovery, and the management of mental health symptoms.
Dual Diagnosis Therapy Services
Discuss dual diagnosis therapy services – how it provides personalized care for substance abuse and mental health disorders at the same time. Provide an overview of the therapy offerings at Everlight Native Americans and how they are used to assist in the treatment of co-occurring disorders.
Dual Diagnosis FAQ
The following are frequently asked questions relating to dual diagnosis treatment.
One example is anxiety combined with alcohol use disorder, as many who are anxious drink alcohol in an attempt to relax.
The most common is anxiety or depression with substance abuse.
Behaviors may include mood swings, isolation, poor self-care, substance misuse, and difficulty managing daily life.
Integrated treatment that addresses both mental health and substance use at the same time is most effective.
Dual disorder treatment is specialized care for people with both a mental health disorder and a substance use disorder.
Dual Diagnosis Treatment at Everlight Native Americans
We at Everlight understand that no treatment is one-size-fits-all. To that end, we offer our Native American Program, which provides specialized dual-diagnosis treatment to those of Native American background. This includes everything from drum circles and sweat lodges to counseling provided by Native-background therapists.
Get Help for Substance Abuse and Mental Health
At Everlight Native Americans, dual diagnosis treatment is designed to address the unique challenges faced by individuals living with both a mental health disorder and a substance use disorder. Our program recognizes that lasting recovery requires healing the whole person—mind, body, and spirit—through culturally sensitive, research-based care.
Our dual diagnosis services include multiple levels of care, each tailored to provide the right amount of structure and support:
- Medical Detox & Residential Treatment: A safe, supportive environment for managing withdrawal symptoms while beginning therapy that addresses both addiction and mental health.
- Partial Hospitalization (PHP) & Intensive Outpatient Programs (IOP): Structured treatment that balances clinical care with personal responsibilities, including therapy, relapse prevention, and skill-building.
- Outpatient & Aftercare Support: Continued guidance, community resources, and recovery planning to help maintain sobriety and mental wellness long after treatment.
Throughout every stage, we incorporate culturally sensitive coping techniques, relapse prevention strategies, life skills training, and holistic therapies that honor Native traditions and values. This approach not only helps individuals achieve sobriety but also strengthens their sense of identity, resilience, and well-being.
If you or a loved one are of Native American background and currently struggling with a dual diagnosis issue, let Everlight be your guide on the road to recovery. Call us today or fill out the confidential contact form to get started.