Benefiting from Integrated Dual Diagnosis Treatment

A dual diagnosis occurs when a mental illness and a substance addiction occur together. As dual diagnosis is experienced, the mental illness symptoms and the substance addiction symptoms affect one another.

Also called a co-occurring disorder, a dual diagnosis can result from an individual with a mental health issue using drugs to deal with mental challenges. 

Dual diagnosis could also result when a mental health condition develops due to a substance addiction’s effect on brain chemistry. Substance use alters the brain’s chemical messengers, known as neurotransmitters. These include dopamine, which affects mood regulation; serotonin, an emotion regulator; norepinephrine, which helps manage the stress response; and Gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA), a neurotransmitter that helps lower stress.

While co-occurring conditions can lead to complex results and challenging conditions, professional treatment is available. Integrated dual diagnosis treatment is a recognized approach to help individuals dealing with a co-ocurring mental health condition and substance use disorder.

Examples and Risks of Co-Occurring Disorders

Multiple combinations of mental illness and substance addiction may occur. Following are examples of co-occurring conditions, their symptoms, and associated risks.

Depression co-occurring with alcoholism

A dual diagnosis involving depression and alcoholism can intensify the symptoms of depression, leading to increased feelings of sadness and amplification of other depression-related effects. A cycle can result as alcohol is consumed to deal with the symptoms of depression, yet with that alcohol use heightening the depression-related symptoms.

This cycle of depression and alcohol use can lead to serious mental and emotional struggles, work-related challenges, social isolation, and a loss of interest and/or participation in activities. Risks include physical repercussions such as heart conditions and liver problems, and dangerous behaviors due to compromised judgment.

PTSD co-occurring with opioid addiction

The co-occurrence of an opioid addiction and PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) can lead to intensified PTSD symptoms, including more trauma-related flashbacks and emotional issues. 

Feeling anxious and irritable are among dual diagnosis symptoms, as are relationship problems, emotional changes, difficulty sleeping, and impulsive actions. Risks of PTSD and opioid addiction dual diagnosis include overdose and increased physical symptoms.

Anxiety co-occurring with prescription drug addiction

Anxiety experienced with a prescription drug addiction can lead to the medication losing effectiveness and the symptoms of anxiety increasing, resulting in more worry, physical effects, and problems with concentration. 

In this dual diagnosis, withdrawal issues that can result as the medication wears off include feeling irritable, experiencing sleep issues, being overly concerned, and more. Risks include impulsivity leading to dangerous situations, lessened therapy and medication effectiveness, and an increased chance of depression.

Dual Diagnosis Quiz

We offer a 10-question informational quiz that may help someone identify signs of a dual diagnosis. This quiz is not meant to diagnose a co-occurring disorder, but it may help determine if a dual diagnosis is present. A professional healthcare provider should be consulted regarding the diagnosis of a co-occurring disorder. 

The quiz is available from our “Substance Abuse & Mental Illness” webpage.

Integrated Dual Diagnosis Treatment

Integrated dual diagnosis treatment occurs as a mental health issue and a substance addiction experienced together are treated simultaneously and in a coordinated way, as opposed to treating one of the co-ocurring conditions. 

Why Integrated Dual Diagnosis Care

One reason for integrated care in the treatment of a co-occurring mental health issue and substance use disorder is to counteract the cycle of one condition leading to the other.

Another reason for an integrated approach is to benefit from a streamlined admissions process. When integrated dual diagnosis care is initiated, treatment paperwork, insurance information transfer, communication of medical history, and explanation of current health conditions can be handled in a single admissions process.

Integrated dual diagnosis care has also shown beneficial when teamed with early intervention. According to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, a public health organization, “Many adults have a mental illness and a substance use disorder (co-occurring disorder). Integrated care is recommended.” The organization states that “with early detection, integrated treatment can improve outcomes and quality of life for people with co-ocurring disorders…”  

Our Approach to Dual Diagnosis Treatment

Jackson House focuses on providing mental health services, offering treatment for anxiety, bipolar disorder, depression, schizophrenia, and trauma. Our services also include dual diagnosis, with these care services offered through a partnership with Jackson House Addiction Treatment & Recovery Centers (JHRC), a residential addiction treatment provider located in San Diego.

In arranging for dual diagnosis care, a determination will be made regarding whether an individual’s dual diagnosis treatment is better administered at a Jackson House center or at the JHRC location. Personalized, compassionate, and integrated dual diagnosis care is available from both providers, with offered services including:

• Medication management: Provided as needed, this offered treatment involves monitoring medication dosage and interactions.
• Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT): Shown to be effective for both mental health issues and substance addiction, CBT is a psychotherapy that deals with thoughts and behaviors.
• Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT): This is a psychotherapy to help individuals build skills such as how to regulate emotions.
• Individual therapy: In this modality, individuals are given one-on-one care.
• Group therapy: This modality allows for individuals to participate in group settings

Contact Us for Integrated Dual Diagnosis Care

Integrated, evidence-based, and compassionate dual diagnosis care is available through a partnership between Jackson House and JHRC. If you or someone you know is dealing with a co-occurring mental health issue and substance use addiction, please contact us. 

We offer free and confidential consultation and personalized dual diagnosis treatment.